Namesakes 1 1 2 3 4 MAXWELL WILLIAM CALVIN MAXWELL Born: Nov. 9, 1892, Natchez, Ala. Death in Manila Died: Aug. 12, 1920, Manila, Philippines Occupation: US military officer On April 6, 1917, the US entered the Great Soon, Maxwell was generating sorties from a Service: ROTC; US Air Service War. It was a matter of instant significance new, air-only section of Stotsenburg: Clark Field. Era: World War I/post-WW I for William C. Maxwell, an obscure student The young aviator was flying the Dayton-Wright Years of Service: 1917-20 at the University of Alabama. His response DH-4 biplane, a US version of Geoffrey de Grade: Second Lieutenant would, over time, make his name famous Havilland's famous two-seat, single-engine Combat: None throughout the Air Force. British bomber. College: University of Alabama Maxwell was born into humble circum- On Aug. 12, 1920, disaster struck. Maxwell stances in tiny Natchez, Ala., one of seven was on a routine flight when he experienced children. Their father, John R. Maxwell, and engine trouble. The 400-hp Liberty engine mother, Jennie, moved the family to Atmore, was usually reliable. On this day, it was not. MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE where he grew up. Maxwell attempted an emergency landing in Maxwell, 24 when war came, was older a nearby sugarcane field. On approach, losing State: Alabama than the usual undergraduate. He possibly altitude, he saw that a group of children was Nearest City: Montgomery began college late because he lacked the playing in a clearing directly in his path. He Area: 6.4 sq mi / 4,100 acres money. When he did arrive in Tuscaloosa, swerved away and maneuvered into the field. Status: Open, active he enrolled as a Reserve Officer's Training Hidden in the tall sugarcane, however, was a Opened: (by Army) April 1918 Corps student, tuition paid by Uncle Sam. large flagpole stanchion, and the DH-4 slammed Original Name: Wright Field For Maxwell, however, the war meant col- into it. Maxwell died instantly. Renamed: Engine and Repair Depot (April 1918) lege days were over. He abruptly left campus He was laid to rest in Robinsonville Baptist Renamed: Engine and Plane Repair Depot #3 and joined the Army in 1917. Church Cemetery in Atmore, 100 miles from (September 1918) Maxwell wanted to be a military pilot. He the Montgomery Air Intermediate Depot. At the Renamed: Aviation Repair Depot (March 1919) Montgomery Air Intermediate Depot was selected for flight school and was sent suggestion of Maxwell's former commander, Renamed: (January 1921) to Kelly Field, Texas. In April 1918, with his Maj. Roy C. Brown, the depot was on Nov. Maxwell Field (Nov. 8, 1922) training completed, he was commissioned 8, 1922, renamed Maxwell Field. Maxwell Renamed: September 1947 as a second lieutenant in the Air Service and Air Force Base today is one of USAF's most Named as AFB: US Army received his wings. recognizable names. Former Owner: AETC World War I ended before he could get to The base has a rich history of its own, be- Current Owner: Air University it. Maxwell's military flying career continued ing one of the world's earliest flying schools Home Of: apace. (established by the Wright brothers) and site In 1919, he was assigned to the 3rd Aero of the famous Air Corps Tactical School in the 1. Second Lieutenant William Maxwell, a native of Squadron, which the peacetime Air Service Air Force's early days. Atmore, Ala., for whom Maxwell Air Force Base is was transferring to the Philippines. Elements Today, Maxwell AFB is home to Air University, named. Unknown date. 2. Maxwell with a Curtiss arrived in Manila in August 1919 and organized USAF's premier center for airpower studies, Jenny. 3. The Air Corps Tactical School, then located at Fort Stotsenburg. and associated organizations. at Maxwell Field. 4. Air University today. 80 MARCH 2017 H WWW.AIRFORCEMAG.COM.