The legacy of Pope continues (1919-2009) Published June 14, 2009 By Daniel Knickrehm 43rd Airlift Wing POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- As the new historian for the 43rd Airlift Wing, I am amazed to walk around the halls of the buildings we inhabit every day and see pieces of history from the exalted past of Pope. Recently, I was reading two worn pieces of paper that hang in the foyer of the headquarters building and was struck by the significance of the words on those pages. Subject: Naming of Flying Field at Camp Bragg, N. C. The flying field to be established at Camp Bragg, N. C., is named "Pope Field," in honor of 1st Lt. Harley Halbert Pope, A. S. A., R. M. A., who was killed in an airplane accident Jan 7, 1919. The day before I noticed these orders, I came across a book titled "Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina: 50th Anniversary." The coincidence of finding the documents and the book so close to each other seemed significant. This book, written by a previous historian in 1969, is full of photographs and is an invaluable condensation of Pope history prior to 1970. The author, Sgt. Terry Martin, Wing Information Office, tells the story of Lieutenant Pope's accident: Lieutenant Pope, aviator and commander of the 276th Aero Squadron, was the advance air officer of the 276th from Camp Jackson, S.C., where the squadron was temporarily located after returning from a year of overseas service during World War I to Fort Bragg. With only a few roads and a railroad track as a guide, Lieutenant Pope left Columbia, S.C., Jan 7, 1919, in a Jenny to fly northward and find the proposed airfield at Fort Bragg. He flew the railroad tracks to Raleigh and turned south to reach Fayetteville. The Lieutenant and his passenger, Sgt. W. W. Flemming, had difficulty locating the airfield because of poor visibility. After circling Fayetteville several times, the fuel in the Jenny was exhausted, and a forced landing was attempted in the Cape Fear River. The plane hit nearby trees and crashed into the river. Before the townspeople could get there, the river claimed the two men. The existing Wing and Base Headquarters building is named Flemming Hall in honor of its namesake. Along with the documents naming Pope, are a couple other items in the foyer connected with Lieutenant Pope. The first item is a large framed sketch of Lieutenant Pope in front of a "Jenny," created in 2007 by artist William Pate, whose biography hangs nearby. The Harley Pope Heraldic Device is a miniature replica of the Pope Monument which was cast in metal. Attached to the replica of the Pope Monument is a piece of an old ramp tie-down. Engraved on the device are numerous achievements attained by the 43rd AW. This heraldic device symbolically brings together a long history of accomplishments. Also on display is a large cloth U.S. Star insignia, on loan from the National Museum of the Air Force hanging framed on the same wall. Although not directly related to Lieutenant Pope, the star is similar to those seen in the pictures depicting planes from Lieutenant Pope's time, including the "Jenny." Near the conference room sign is a painting that includes JN-4 "Jenny's" with the subtitle "Assigned in 1919." Also on display at the Pope Air Park is a monument presented by citizens of Lieutenant Pope's hometown, Bedford, Indiana. The broken propeller on top of the monument is a carved replica of the original propeller that was salvaged from Lieutenant Pope's Jenny. The propeller is currently hanging in the Bedford County museum where Lieutenant Pope grew up. Reilly Street itself was a cobblestone road in Lieutenant Pope's time and the main artery for transportation between the flying field and Fort Bragg. More information from Sergeant Martin's book notes that the field was still grass sod and that "pilots were advised to 'buzz' the area from low altitude before landing to chase away grazing deer." In fact, Pope's runways weren't even paved until 1940. On this 90th anniversary of the naming of Pope Air Field, it seems the perfect time to talk about history. As the wing historian, I am charged with writing your history, not the history of 1919, 1969 or even 1999, but rather the history of you and what you do in 2009. History is happening every day. What people do today is history tomorrow. In a year or so from now when I complete this year's history of those stationed at Pope, I want it to reflect more than numbers and statistics; I want those pages to reflect how you make Pope memorable. Right now I am working with Brig. Gen. (Ret.) David Johnson who was the vice commander of Pope in 1995. He asked me to help him remember what it was like to command this base. My best source for the information he wants is to go back to the annual histories and send him what I can and hope it serves his needs. Someday it may be you calling to ask "what was going on during..." I ask each of you to help me write a history that exemplifies the unique atmosphere of Pope. As you walk around work, think about what you and your fellow Airmen are doing. Is this something that people will want to remember? Is there a good story here that needs to be told? If you answer "yes" to those or similar questions, drop me a line, call me or stop by my office and let me know what is happening so I can check it out. Your history will be better for it. Most of all I would like you to look around this fine base and see the history around you. Pope is the sixth oldest active Air Force base in the country, and as such there is a rich history in everything that goes on here. The plaques and banners are the stories of those who have come before you. The displays around base are reminders of the fine legacy of which you are now a part. Congratulations Pope on your 90th Anniversary!