![]() Moody until definitely advised that the use of his name has been finally disapproved.” In honor of Maj. “Things having gone thus far,” he explained, “the city fathers are not desirous of changing the name of the field and want no part in recommending the name of an alternate for Maj. Fred Nelson for additional names, Nelson had to decline his boss’ request by pointing out the extent to which Valdosta had adopted Maj. As one observer put it, “the proposed ’Moody Field’ was to be the name as far as the local citizenry were concerned.” In September when Gen. When word of his possible selection reached the citizens of Valdosta they immediately began referring to their airfield, now fully under construction, as “Moody Field.” This was reflected in the fact that shuttle busses carrying construction workers to the airfield from Valdosta and surrounding communities were labeled with “Moody Field” as their destination. Moody’s name be added to the list of potential sources for the name of the Valdosta airfield. Moody had been involved in the aircraft trials for the Beech AT-10 “Wichita” that was to become the new trainer at the base being constructed in Valdosta. Military Academy at West Point, was killed in Wichita, Kansas. George Putnam Moody, a 1929 graduate of the U.S. Just a few months earlier, on May 5, U.S. The Department of War granted the final approval for construction on Jand construction began July 28, 1941. Department of Agriculture had been leasing the acreage since 1938 to do experiments in forest grazing. This area was located approximately 10 miles northeast of Valdosta and had been the site of the T. Their backup plan, the 9,300-acre site that had been the Lakeland Flatwoods Project, became the focus. The original plan was to obtain an Army Air Corps flying school at the Valdosta Regional Airport, but this plan fell through when Weaver noticed a marsh in aerial photos of the airport. Weaver was a personal friend of the senator. Weaver, commander of the Southeast Air Corps Training Center, headquartered at Maxwell AFB, Ala. Senator George agreed to a meeting several days later in Vienna, Georgia. In October 1940, Emory Bass, who was then serving as the president of the Chamber of Commerce, wrote Georgia Senators Walter George and Richard Russell to request their assistance in obtaining a defense project. Ashley appointed six members to a city planning board in June 1940 to develop a plan of action. Local leaders faced the probability of a coming war and looked for a way they could join the national defense efforts. The concept of an Army Air Field in Valdosta originated with Valdosta and Lowndes County citizens in 1940. Moody Field began as an Army Air Corps pilot training base during World War II. ![]()
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