Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
 
    Hickam Field (Hickam AFB) Hawaii United States
Click For Enlargement
USAAF May 1941

Click For Enlargement
USAAF December 7, 1941

Click For Enlargement
Justin Taylan 2004
Location
Hickam Field is located to the west of Honolulu bordering Honolulu Airfield (John Rodgers Airfield) on Oahu in Hawaii in the United States. Hickam Field spanned from Bishop Point to the west and U.S. Naval Station Pearl Harbor and Pearl Harbor to the north. Fort Kamehameha is located to the south. Taxiways connect to Honolulu Airfield on the east. Extensive facilities included a hanger row and many buildings and support facilities. Today, part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH). Fort Kamehameha is located to the southwest bordering Holokahiki Point and Kamehameha Beach.

Construction
During 1935, a 2,200 acre site was purchased by the U.S. Army for a military airfield. Construction of the runway and base was completed by October 1939, at the time this was America's largest and most important base in Hawaii, and the newest and most modern airfield, capable of accommodating an air depot and a bombardment wing.

The main runway measured 7,048' x 800' running roughly north-east to south-west. Also, there were three smaller runways in a triangular shape off the main runway: 4,725 x 250 and 4,025 x 250' and 4,630' x 250'.

Naming Honors
Named after aviation pioneer Lt. Col. Horace M. Hickam, who was killed in a flying accident on November 5, 1934 in Texas. Hickam Field was designated APO 953 (Army Post Office 953) between May 16, 1942 until May 31, 1946.

Wartime History
During October 1939 aircraft from the newly formed 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG) arrived from Luke Field.

On November 1, 1940, the Hawaiian Air Force was activated with the 18th Bombardment Wing stationed at Hickam Field operating B-18 Bolos and B-17 Flying Fortresses.

The Hawaiian Air Depot (HAD) was established at Hickam Field to reassemble aircraft, service aircraft, perform modifications and overhaul work required for any U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) aircraft. During early 1942, the Commanding Officer (C.O.) was Lt. Col. Albert C. Boyd.

On December 7, 1941 aircraft were parked wingtip to wingtip to protect them from sabotage. Attacking Japanese aircraft heavily damaged the base and destroyed parked planes. This airfield was used for the remainder of the Pacific War.

American units based at Hickam
7th BG, 22nd BS air echelon (B-17) December 18, 1941 - January 5 1942 Singosari
7th BG, 88th BS air echelon (B-17) December 22, 1941 - February 10 1942 Fiji
7th Bomber Command, HQ activated at Hickam January 29, 1942
5th BG, 23rd BS (B-17) March 24, 1942 to Mokuleia
38th BG, 69th BS (B-26 air echelon) USA arrives May 22, 1942–June 17, 1942 departs New Caledonia
5th BG, 31st BS (B-18, B-18) May 23, 1942 to Kipapa
19th Transport Squadron (C-33 and C-53) departs May 29, 1942 to John Rodgers Airport
5th BG, 394th BS (B-17) ? - May 30, 42 Bellows returns July 24 - Sept 28, 42 Bellows
307th BG, 372nd BS (B-24) ? -June 13, 1943 departs Espiritu Santo
11th BG, HQ July 1942–November 9, 1943 returns April 8, 1943
11th BG, 98th BS (B-17) ? - August 11, 1942 Espiritu Santo
11th BG, 431st BS (B-17) departs November 11, 1943 Funafuti returns April 8, 1943
318th FG, HQ activated October 15, 1942–February 9, 1943 departs Bellows
41st BG, HQ from USA October 16, 1943 - December 17, 1943 Tarawa
30th BG, HQ USA arrives October 20, 1943–November 12, 1943 departs Nanumea
41st BG, 396th BS (B-25) from USA October 20 - December 24, 1943 Tarawa
41st BG, 820th BS (B-25) from USA October 20 - December 24, 1943 Tarawa
9th TCS (C-47) from US February 21 - March 27, 1944 Abemama
7th Fighter Command, HQ Fort Shafter October 20, 1944 - ?
AAFPOA is activated at Hickam August 1, 1944
7th FW, 548th Night Fighter Squadron (P-61) ? - October 16, 1943 Kipapa
7th FW, 548th Night Fighter Squadron (P-61) from USA September 16, 1944 - ?
7th Fighter Command, HQ ? - January 18, 1945 Fort Kamehameha

Flagpole Memorial
The flagpole circle and memorial listing of all those who died at Hickam Field on December 7, 1941 with plaques for specific units including the 11th Bombardment Group (11th BG). The memorial includes a time capsule to be opened on December 7, 2041. In 2003, a bronze P-40 Warhawk dedicated to World War II aviators was added.

Pacific Air Forces Headquarters Building
Bullet holes are visible in the Pacific Air Forces HQ building. Inside is the US flag that flew over the base on December 7, 1941 and was also flown over the white house and present at the formal surrender of Japan.

USAAC Hangers
Heavily damaged in the attack, the four restored double hangers, with USAAC star above the doors are present today.

Today
Still in use today as Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH). Since September 11, 2001, Hickam is off limits to tourists for security reasons.

Hickam AFB Museum
15th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, 800 Scott Circle, Hickam AFB

B-25J Mitchell Serial Number 44-31504
Displayed at Hickam AFB outside the Pacific Air Forces HQ building between 1997–2004.

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA)
310 Worchester Ave, Bldg 45, Hickam, HI 96853
Department of Defense (DoD) Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is an agency within the United States Department of Defense whose mission is to recover missing personnel who are listed as Prisoners of War (POW), or Missing In Action (MIA). Formally, known as Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii (CILHI).

References
They're Killing My Boys The History of Hickam Field and the Attacks of 7 December 1941 (2019) J. Michael Wenger, Robert J. Cressman, John F. Di Virgilio details Hickam Field prewar, construction and Japanese attack

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
April 19, 2021

 

Map
December 7, 1941

Map
September 27, 1943

Photos
Photo Archive
  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram