Air Base Named for Schilling

In memory of the late Col. David C. Schilling '39, USAF, the Smoky Hill Air Force Base at Salina, Kansas, was renamed the Schilling Air Force Base on March 16. General Nathan F. Twining, Chief of Staff, USAF, gave the dedicatory address at ceremonies attended by Governor Docking of Kansas, many civic and Air Force dignitaries, and an audience of some 40,000. With her son, David C. Schilling Jr., Mrs. Schilling unveiled a memorial bust and plaque honoring her husband, and in his behalf accepted the Distinguished Service Medal from General Twining.

Colonel Schilling, a native of Leavenworth, Kansas, was killed in an automobile accident in England on August 14, 1956, while serving as Inspector General of the 7th Air Division, Strategic Air Command. He was one of the top American aces in World War II. After the war he led several pioneering flights of jet planes across the Atlantic and the Pacific, and as commander of the 31st Strategic Fighter Wing he helped develop in-flight refueling techniques for jet aircraft. He received the Harmon Trophy as the outstanding aviator of the year 1950. Among his multitude of decorations were the Distinguished Flying Cross, with ten oak leaf clusters, the Silver Star, with two clusters, the Air Medal, with nineteen clusters, and decorations from England, France, Belgium and Chile.

The bronze plaque unveiled at the March 16 ceremony contains the words, "He was one of the most able and fearless air commanders I have ever known," from General Curtis LeMay, commander-in-chief of the Strategic Air Command.

Schilling Air Force Base was a bomber base in World War II and during the Korean War. It is now the home of the 802nd Air Division, under the command of Brig. Gen. James W. Wilson, with B-47 jets having replaced the old B-29S.

With portrait at Schilling AFB in Kansas are (l to r) Brig. Gen. J. W. Wilson, commander,Mrs. David C. Schilling, David Jr., and 1st Lt. Ashford, who did the painting.