Established by the Bureau of Aeronautics in conjunction with the Bureau of Naval Personnel early in 1942, the Navy Pre-Flight School at St. Mary's College was put in operation on 12 June 1942 and continued until 30 June 1946, the date of decommissioning.

First inquiry of Navy officials into St. Mary's College as a possible site for a Pre-Flight School was made 23 December 1941. Prominent in supporting the college as an excellent site for the Navy School was Commander R. L. Johnson, who was Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Air Base at Oakland at the time.

In the middle of February, 1942, a Navy board headed by Commander 0. 0. Kessing inspected the college and its facilities and on 27 February 1942 Brother Director Austin, president of St. Mary's College, received the following tele-gram from Secretary of Navy Frank Knox: "St. Mary's College has been selected by the Navy Department as one of the four locations for pre- flight training. Your patriotic cooperation in this vital program is appreciated."

When taken over by the Navy the St. Mary's College site was a 420-acre piece of property owned by the Christian Brothers and improved by numerous buildings, all in Spanish architecture with red tile roofs, that housed offices, living quarters for the Brothers, classrooms, gymnasium and swimming pool, dormitories, dining halls, laboratories and storage rooms. Central figure of the college in the main quadrangle was a chapel with a tall tower standing well out above the valley and the nearby rolling hills.

Construction was started almost at once on three new wooden barracks, mess hall additions and on other changes necessary to turn a peaceful country campus that had held 600 students at the most into a war training school that could handle upwards of 2000 Naval Aviation cadets.

First officer to report aboard was Lieutenant Commander Clyde W. King, Executive Officer, who logged in on 22 April 1942. Captain George W. Steele, Commanding Officer, reported 30 April 1942. First work of officers as they re-ported was to get the School in readiness to receive its first cadets. Carloads of gear and equipment had been left on a siding of the Sacramento Northern Railway adjacent to the yard, and officers, stripped to the waist, unloaded bunks, bedding, guns, desk's, cases of boxing gloves, wrestling mats and all sorts of paraphernalia for the new station.

On 9 June, James H. Fiser of Morrilton, Ark., and Richard A. Mayes of Dallas, Tex., logged in to become the first cadets to report for training at St. Mary's Pre-Flight. Two days later approximately 250 cadets were aboard and classes were started for the First Battalion.

The official commissioning took place 12 June 1942. Captain Edward S. Jack-son, Chief of Staff for Vice Admiral John W. Greenslade, Commandant of the Twelfth Naval District, delivered a message in behalf of the Commandant and authorized Captain Steele to place the Navy Pre-Flight School in commission.

Mission of the Pre-Flight Schools, as announced by the Bureau of Aeronautics at the time of their establishment, was to train our pilots so that not only would they be more skillful in flying techniques but also stronger and tougher physically and mentally under combat conditions.

Captain A. W. Radford, head of the Aviation Training Division of the Bureau of Aeronautics at the start of the war, was chiefly responsible for organizing the Pre-Flight program. Lieutenant Commander Tom J. Hamilton organized the athletic training program of Pre-Flight Schools and other units of Naval Aviation.

Pre-Flight Schools we reorganized to give courses of a three-fold nature—athletics, academic and military. By instruction and competition in ten different sports and also participation in mass exercise, relaxation and the various tests under mass exercise, the Athletic Department conducted an intensive physical conditioning program. Ground school courses were given under the direction of the Academic Department. Military drill, watch standing, inspections and other phases of training having to do with the development of officer aptitude were placed within the Military Department.

The purpose of the athletic training given Pre-Flight students was to make each one more physically fit at the end of the course than when he entered. To this end, strength, endurance and agility tests were given each man upon his introduction to and deduction from the base. These tests were designed to measure overall physical development instead of proficiency in one or more activities. For instance, a cadet might have been an expert in swimming, yet his ability to chin himself might have been deficient. These tests were specifically designed to detect this unbalance.

Between the induction and deduction, physical tests, instruction and competitive sports were given which were designed to give a complete workout to every muscle in the body. Included in these sports were: tumbling, swimming, basketball, boxing, baseball, wrestling, soccer, track, football, hand-to-hand combat and mass exercise. Varsity sports, too, were part of the program and the four: basketball, baseball, football, and wrestling, turned out some teams that were among the best in the country. Guaranteeing to make a physically fit specimen out of each student, the athletic department did an extremely fine job.

Giving instruction in drill and rating the cadets for officer aptitude were the two main functions of the Military Department, last of the three main divisions of Pre-Flight training. Concerned mainly with the development of the students into naval officers, the Military was constantly on the alert and succeeded in consistently doing an above-average job.

On 1 September1942, 79 days after the commissioning of St. Mary's Pre-Flight, the First Battalion was graduated with due honors and a feeling by all officers and cadets that the largest hurdle had been cleared. Since that time 78 more battalions have been graduated and their members advanced to Primary and eventually to commissioned rank. At first, as in any new enterprise, there was a feeling of uncertainty prevalent, but with the graduation of the First Battalion, the school proved itself, and the officers, cadets, and enlisted men felt justifiably proud.

Rear Admiral E. P. Buckmaster, chief of Naval Air Primary Training, came aboard 10 December for the station's first inspection tour, and, like subsequent inspecting officers, was deeply impressed with the excellent job that St. Mary's Pre-Flight was doing. He was especially interested in the new field house being built which has since been named Independence Hall.

On 5 January 1943, command of the station passed from Captain G. W. Steele to Lt. Comdr. C. W. King, his Executive Officer. Captain Steele was transferred to the new Del Monte Pre-Flight School as Commanding Officer. Following his assumption of command Lt. Comdr. King was notified by the Navy department of his advancement in rank to Commander, USNR. Taking Commander King's place as Executive Officer was Lt. Comdr. F. W. Pierce, formerly Academic Director.

During March, St. Mary's Pre-Flight was honored by a visit from Comdr. T. J. Hamilton, Head of Pre-Flight Physical Training. While conferring with Comdr. King, Comdr. Hamilton stated that "we (Pre-Flight Schools) are a part of the greatest conditioning effort the world has ever seen." Soon after Comdr. Hamilton's visit, Rear Admiral E. Buckmaster made his second inspection of St. Mary's in six months. Once again, conditions were reported by the Admiral to be "excellent."

Celebrating the first complete year in operation of St. Mary's Pre-Flight School, cadets, officers and enlisted men were treated to dances, baseball games, and overnight liberty. Heading the list of guests were Comdr. T. J. Hamilton and Captain G. W. Steele, first Commanding Officer, who gave ad-dresses at a special regimental review, congratulating St. Mary's on a job well done.

Speaking to the graduating 29th Battalion, Rear Admiral H. W. Osterhaus, Head of Training and Personnel Activities in the 12th Naval District, told the cadets that they should insure they were well indoctrinated in Naval tradition in order to become real Naval officers. Admiral Osterhaus stressed that cadets are in training to become Naval officers as well as aviators.

Inspecting St. Mary’s Pre-Flight for the first time, Rear Admiral 0. B. Hardison, Chief of Naval Air Primary Training, showed his keen interest in the operation of the school and made many favorable comments on the appearance of the school.

With their defeat of Alameda Coast Guard in the Northern California Basket-ball Tournament finals, the St. Mary's Airdevils finished one of the finest athletic seasons ever experienced here. Another item of importance was that this season's Airdevils were unbeaten in any of their games, giving them as valid a claim as any to the mythical national service title.

Headed by Rear Admiral T. Sprague, a delegation of high-ranking British and Canadian Air Officers visited St. Mary's on 20 May 1944. Members of the delegation expressed gratitude for the courtesy shown them and admiration of the Navy's Flight Program.

Observing the station's Second Anniversary headed the Plan of the Day for 10 June1944. Rear Admiral 0. B. Hardison inspected and addressed the cadet regiment and an evening's entertainment was furnished by a dance for all station personnel in Independence Hall.

St. Mary’s was especially honored on 24 July 1944 by the visit of Mr. A. L. Gates, Assistant Sec Nav for Air, and Rear Admiral Dew. C. Ramsey, Chief of BuAer, A. W. Radford, Deputy CNO for Air, and G. D. Murray, CNATra. Mr. Gates, on an inspection tour of Western Naval Stations, said he was very favorably impressed by the quality and standards of the base here.

Following a program of athletics designed to present the athletic training phase of this school, Captain Apollo Soucek, Chief of Staff to Rear Admiral C. A. Pown all, Chief of Naval Air Training, expressed himself as well satisfied with his visit here on 8 October. Tumbling, boxing, swimming, wrestling and football were among the many activities shown Captain Soucek and all were at their competitive best.

Ending 1944's inspection tours, Rear Admiral 0. B. Hardison visited St. Mary's Pre-Flight on 13 December. Admiral Hardison made a thorough, day-long tour of the base, and announced he was extremely well pleased by the showing of the cadets, officers, and enlisted men here.

Winding up the year's social activities were the parties, dances and movies attendant to the Christmas season. Also featured was the special Christmas dinner given in the mess hall by Pland-Evans, the food contractor.

In January, Comdr. T. J. Hamilton, mentioned earlier as the "father" of Pre-Flight athletic training, visited the base and delivered a short address, laud-ing the accomplishments of the Navy Pre-Flight Schools.

Ever since St. Mary's was commissioned, Mrs. Morris B. Carter was the No. 1 pal of its cadets. She planned parties for them, bought, cooked and served delicious food and refreshment for them almost by the carload. Best of all, when they didn't have dates, she rounded up the fairest of the bay district's femininity for their partners. Her tireless efforts to help them make new acquaintances and get renewed joy out of life made the thousands of men who have gone through training here her sincere friends. In September 1945, Mrs. Carter was presented by the cadets with a silver plaque in appreciation for her untiring efforts. It was engraved: "Awarded to Mrs. Morris B. Carter for outstanding service as senior hostess, 1942-1945." Another gracious and efficient party- planner, Mrs. William Vay of Berkeley, served as hostess twice a month for the cadets at their Sunday afternoon dances at the base. She invited fifty girls to act as junior hostesses on these occasions and contributed greatly to their success. Mrs. William J. Donlon, Jr., of Oakland, supervised the dances given at the Hotel Leamington in Oakland for the cadets of St. Mary’s Pre-Flight each Sunday from 1200 to 1530. She not only provided junior hostesses but arranged for the decorations and refreshments and gave to these dances the personal touch which enhanced their popularity. Those who have at some time been confined to Sick Bay and found there the welcome surprise of a lovely bedside flower arrangement extend to Mrs. Malcolm Lamb of Orinda a hearty "Thank you."

On 30 December, between halves of a St. Mary's Pre-Flight basketball game, Comdr. C. Orion, 12th Naval District Welfare Officer, presented Comdr. C. W. King with the 12th Naval District Commandant's Trophy for football. This trophy was earned by the football eleven by going through the 1944 season with four victories and only one defeat in league play. The statuette was placed in the station trophy case for safekeeping and exhibition.

Comdr. Clyde W. King, Commanding Officer, was notified on 9 March 1945, that he had been raised in rank to Captain, this appointment to continue as long as he was captain of this base.

Also in March, the disbanding of the station's Marine unit took place. The Marine unit, consisting of a captain and four sergeants, was in charge of the gunnery range used in the Pre-Flight curriculum.

St. Mary's Pre-Flight, with the rest of the nation, was deeply saddened by the news of the death of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on 12 April 1945. Memorial services, conducted by the chaplain, were held in Sampson Square on 14 April, and attended by all members of the cadet regiment and ship's complement. Another Memorial Service was conducted Sunday in the Chapel.

Celebrating the news of Victory in Europe was the pleasant task given this base in the latter part of May. The station personnel celebrated mostly in a serious manner, reminding themselves of the job yet to be finished in the Pacific. During the special services held for V-E Day, Captain King read excerpts from the proclamation issued by President Truman, giving thanks for our victory over one of our enemies.

Observance of the Third Anniversary of the Ship's Commissioning was made on 13 June 1945 by a series of events the preceding Saturday after-noon and night. Present at these observances were Rear Admiral C. A. Pown-all, Chief Naval Air Training, and Rear Admiral 0. B. Hardison, Chief of Naval Air Primary Training, who delivered short congratulatory addresses.

Announcement of Victory over Japan on 14 August was followed by a spontaneous celebration lasting from 1600 till nearly 2130. Beginning with an in-formal parade, led by the station band, the celebration continued with cadets, officers, and enlisted men singing and cheering in front of Ranger Lounge, and ended with an orchestral jam session and trampoline entertainment in Independence Hall. Classes were secured the next day and special thanksgiving services were held in the chapel.

In November, command of St. Mary's Pre-Flight was assumed by Captain R. W. D. Woods, replacing Captain C. W. King. The change of command ceremony on 10 November was coincident with the Regimental Review and the presentation of the competitive "E" awards. Then, on 21 November, Comdr. W. M. Dickey came aboard and assumed the Executive Officer's post, relieving Lt. Comdr. C. J. Forsberg.

In 1945, the station observed its first and only peacetime Christmas. With Chaplain H. E. Hamme officiating as Santa Claus, base personnel and their children were treated to a parade of fantasy characters such as Snow White, Jack and Jill, Little Miss Muffet and a host of others. Officer, cadet, and enlisted men dances were also sponsored by the Welfare Department. Highlighting the season's program were the leaves, varying from five to seven days for all personnel aboard.

With the New Year came a visit from Rear Admiral E. C. Ewen, Chief of Naval Air Reserve Training. The Admiral termed the condition of the base as "excellent."

In May Captain R. W. D. Woods received orders to a new station. Commander W. M. Dickey, present executive officer, assumed command as Commanding Officer and Executive Officer.

31 May 1946 training of cadets was concluded, and the base prepared for decommissioning on 31 June 1946.

U.S. Navy Pre-Flight School, Saint Mary's College of Moraga, California