Namesakes

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MORRIS SHEPPARD Born: May 28, 1875, Wheatville, Texas SHEPPARD Died: April 9, 1941, Washington, D.C. College: University of Texas (B.A., law), Yale University (law) The First Casualty Military Service: None He never wore the uniform and never First, he became “the Father of Prohi- Occupation: Attorney, Congressman, Senator Political Party: Democrat commanded forces, but Morris Sheppard bition.” A strident supporter of the tem- Offices:US House, 1902-13; US Senate, 1913-41 left his mark on America’s military. USAF’s perance movement, Sheppard penned Honors: Chairman, Military Affairs Committee 1933-41 largest training base bears his name. the 18th Amendment banning production, Famous Friends: William Jennings Bryant, Gen. There’s more to his story, however. transportation, and sale of alcohol. He pro- Douglas McArthur John Morris Sheppard was born May posed it in 1917. By 1919, it was law of the Famous Relatives: Robert Morris (signer of the Dec- 28, 1875, on a Texas farm. His rise in life land. He assisted Rep. Andrew J. Volstead laration of Independence); grandsons Connie Mack III appeared foreordained. He was a direct with writing the Volstead Act, providing an (US Senator), Morris S. Arnold (federal judge), Richard descendant, through his mother, of Robert enforcement mechanism. S. Arnold (federal judge), Morris, a Founding Father and signer of the Widely seen as a disaster, Prohibition Buried: Texarkana, Texas Declaration of Independence. His father was scrapped in 1933. Five times, Shep- SHEPPARD AFB was—in order—the local district attorney, pard tried and failed to make America a state judge, and member of Congress. dry again. State: Texas Nearest City: Wichita Falls Sheppard took law degrees from the Second, Sheppard led the preparation Area: 6.3 sq mi /4,032 acres University of Texas and Yale. In 1902, the of US forces for World War II. In the pe- Status: Open, operational young Texas attorney, a Democrat, was riod 1933-41, the Texan was chairman of Opened: (as Sheppard Field) June 14, 1941 elected to the House. In 1913, he won a the Senate Military Affairs Committee, Inactivated: Aug. 31, 1946 hard-fought race for the US Senate to fill a post from which he inveighed against Acquired: (by Army) April 30, 1947 the vacancy after the death of his father. isolationism and military weakness—well Reaquired: (by USAF) Aug. 1, 1948 In Washington, Sheppard stood out. before Pearl Harbor. Renamed: (Sheppard AFB) Aug. 15, 1948 He was five feet four inches tall. He was Sheppard, allied with President Franklin Former Owners: Air Training Command, Strategic Air a student of literature who penned a D. Roosevelt, worked to expand defense Command 35-volume work on Shakespeare. He spending—for the Air Corps, especially— Current Owner: Air Education and Training Command was close to William Jennings Bryan, the and generate more and better training 1/ Sen. Morris Sheppard, circa 1930s. 2/ silver-tongued, three-time presidential of US troops. With the outbreak of war in Aircraft mechanic trainees at Sheppard candidate. The Texan was himself one of Europe in 1939, he led efforts to pass the Field during World War II. 3/ Sheppard the most entertaining speakers of his day. Selective Training and Service Act and (r) and Ralph “Tall Cowboy” Madsen, a Sheppard was a Senate success. Early legislation authorizing Lend-Lease. seven-foot-six-inch actor, on the steps on, he became a trusted ally of President Less than one month after his Lend- of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Woodrow Wilson. Later, he successfully Lease success, Sheppard suffered a brain pushed for progressive rural credit, child hemorrhage, possibly from overwork. He the most diverse base in Air Education labor, and antitrust laws. He was an ardent died April 9, 1941. Gen. Douglas MacAr- and Training Command. The 82nd Train- backer of women’s suffrage (and foe of de- thur offered accolades to Sheppard as a ing Wing provides specialized technical segregation). In the mid-1930s, Sheppard warrior, calling him “the first casualty of training for airmen. The 80th Flying was key to much New Deal legislation. World War II.” Training Wing hosts the Euro-NATO Sheppard is best known for two wildly The senator’s legacy, Sheppard Air Joint Jet Pilot Training program for NATO

divergent achievements. Force Base near Wichita Falls, Texas, is combat pilots. Photos: Library of Congress

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