Fort Stotsenberg Years

by Thomas C. Utts

From 1902 to 1947, the base now called Clark
was a U.S. Army cavalry post named Fort Stotsenberg.
This page includes pictures from he early years, pictures from the
period after U.S. Forces returned and united with Philippine Guerillas to
recaptured the country and the base from Japanese invaders. The final group
of pictures are from the rebuilding period in the first years after the end of the war.

Although these photographs, all taken in 1908 and 1909,  show the effects of age, they offer a
fascinating glimpse at those early days. They were submitted by J.B. Offley whose
grandfather was a first lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Cavalry at Fort Stotsenberg
from 1908 to 1910. His father Willoughby Newton Offley, was born there.

1909 view of
parade field,
note review
stand on left.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(L)" F" Troop of the 1st Cavalry. In 1909 the 1st was an all America unit. Later,
when the Philippine Scouts came into being, the enlisted men and NCOs were
Filipinos. (R) 1st Lt. Edwin Offley in a tropical uniform.
 
 

Two views of Lt. Offley's F-Troop on the parade field.
(bottom) Mt. Arayat in the background.

Ed Smith, 29th
Radio Squadron
Mobile (RSM)
in 1952, sent four
unique 1919
photos the album
of Captain Joe
Fox, US Army,
used with permis-
sion of  his son,
Joe Fox, Jr.
showing landing
of the first airplane
at Baguio City
Christmas 1919.
No details on
pilot, or others.
Love uniform
on the Oliver
Hardy type.
 
 
 

An armada of C-47s
carried troops and supplies
to Clark Field to convince
the occupying Japanese
it was time to ziggie na!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What's left of
a Japanese Betty
Bomber provides
comfort from the
hot PI sun for
a unimpressed
caribou.
 
 
 
 

The air field
experienced
intense fighting
which left the
hangars in
need of a little
fixing up.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 lst Lt Allen While, takes a time out for a
historic photo after landing at Clark Field.
The Valparaiso, Indiana native name
his plane Sooner Gal.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1st Lt. Charles O. Petersen  flew "Delectable Dottie," a B-24 in India during WWII. The
plane  modified for mapping with converted bomb bays, one for extra fuel and one full of
cameras. After the war ended he hoped to fly back to the states. Instead he was directed to
Clark Field. After landing, the crew got out and watched their bird towed across the runway
into a bone yard where planes were being scrapped. The tug made a sharp turn that broke off
a landing gear and dug a wing into the ground.  Petersen said seeing that broke his heart.
He heard later planes abandoned at Clark were buried under what became the main runway.
 

The Parade Field looking up at the Headquarters buildings.
 
 

Note battle damage to one
of the headquarters buildings
at the top of the parade field.
But it survived and, I believe
I think this was the building
that in the early 70s had the
13th Air Force Public Affairs
Office, my duty shack, on
the third floor. In fact, my
desk was next to the
window on the left.
 
 
 
 

Another view of
the same building.
 
 
 
 
 
 

According to Walt this was the Bamboo Chapel on the base.

The first big bombers
to land at Clark Field
after recapture.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Going to town
was a bit
different
in 1945. But
check out
those future
Jeepneys.
 

Angeles on
busy day. Can
you see the
calisa next
to the truck?