Brayton Flying Field

In 1939, when the Nazis threatened world conquest, the United States needed thousands of pilots, more than could be trained at military fields alone, so civilian flying schools were enlisted for aid. One field was established in Cuero under the direction of veteran pilot Clyde E. Brayton, whose first licenses, issued from 1926 to 1931, were signed by air pioneer Orville Wright. Cuero provided land, Brayton added facilities, and the first class enrolled in March 1941. A staff of 550 civilians and 100 military men trained 6,611 students who flew 335,000 hours, and the field received awards for safety and meritorious service before ceasing operations in August 1944. Favorable flying conditions made Texas the site of 17 civilian training schools at Ballinger, Bonham, Brady, Coleman, Corsicana, Cuero, Dallas, Fort Stockton, Fort Worth, Houston, Stamford, Sweetwater, Paris, Terrell, Uvalde, Vernon, and Wichita Falls. Personnel in the United States Army Air Forces increased from 21,556 in 1939 to almost 2,500,000 in 1944, and many received training at civilian schools, which also trained airmen for Brazil, China, England, France, and Mexico and made an important contribution toward Allied victory.

Cuero, Texas · United States