Strother Field A BRIEF HISTORY

An airport, jointly owned by Arkansas City and Winfield, was under construction in April 1942 when the Army Air Force indicated a need for the airfield. The facilities were rushed to completion with the first class of cadets scheduled to arrive for basic training in the BT-13 on December 14, 1942.

 
On November 13, 1942, The field was officially named Strother Army Air Field. It was named in honor of Captain Donald Root Strother. Strother, a Winfield native and graduate of Winfield High School and Southwestern College, was the first Cowley County Army Air Force pilot to lose his life in World War II action (February 13, 1942) on the island of Java. He was the youngest of four brothers, all involved in the war effort; Dean, eventually an Air Force general, Kenneth, an infantry captain, and Robert who served in the Office of War Information.

The field was dedicated January of 1943 by Governor Schoppel, local officials and the Strother Field Commander. During the ceremony which included a military and aerial review, The Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart were presented to Captain Strother’s three year old son, Colbert.

The field was deactivated in 1945 and eventually returned to the cities.

Article by Peter Giroux.