December 7, 1941 was a beautiful Sunday with flying activity at both the Rannell’s Flying Service and the Cumberland Flying Club at Mexico Farms. About three o’clock that afternoon (local time) the world was stunned when news was broadcast by radio that Hawaii had been attacked by Japanese aircraft. The next day war was declared on Japan by the US Congress, and a few days later Germany declared war on the United States. Due to the state of shock and near hysteria at the thought of a possible invasion by Japan and/or the landings of foreign agents on the open ocean shores, all general aviation was grounded by federal government decree. Airline operations were allowed to continue but all other aircraft had to have their propellers and/or engines removed, or to be under 24 hour guard to be sure no flying took place. Jerome Johnson, owner of the Mexico Farms Airport, acted as a temporary guard even though he had a farm to operate. After about two weeks a pilot’s photo identification card could be secured from the Civil Aeronautics Authority by producing a birth certificate as proof of US citizenship. The identification card served much like a passport. The ID card was used when filing a flight clearance with the attending guard before any flight could be allowed at that airport.
Bob Poling’s Identification Card that was a requirement at Mexico Farms during WW II. On the right is Jerome J. ‘Bogus’ Johnson, owner of the Mexico Farms Airfield.
The area pilots assembled for a meeting in the small room attached to the Rannell’s Flying Service hangar (now occupied by Greg Teeter) that was later used as the guard room. At this meeting it was decided that if each pilot would contribute a small monthly fee, three guards could be hired to make Mexico Farms secure from unauthorized flying by enemy aliens or foreign agents. It may be difficult now to imagine but such fears existed in January, 1942. In order to depart on a training flight (all fights no matter the intent were listed as training flights) it was necessary to file a clearance with the guard on duty That clearance listed the authorized pilot, passengers and/or observers names, airplane make and model, registration number, cruising speed, flight altitude, airport departure point and destination. Almost all were local flights, originating and returning to Mexico Farms. At the end of the flight the pilot had to close his clearance with his signature. Allegany County had several ground observation stations manned by volunteer observers versed in aircraft identification. These observers were directed to visually identify any suspected unauthorized aircraft, and then would make telephone contact with a central control that could direct fighter interceptor aircraft to the errant flyer, and even shoot them down if necessary. Flights to the east of Cumberland were difficult to undertake, requiring a great deal of prior arrangements. Flights to Somerset, PA and Burlington, WV were easier to arrange from Mexico Farms, and were frequently used as cross country training flights as individuals continued to pursue the necessary requirements for a private or higher pilot license.
Two of the three guards hired by the Mexico Farms pilot cadre were pleasant individuals but the third was a crusty former WW I veteran, Harry Jones. It was rumored that Jones had been 1st Sergeant of Company G of the local National Guard Company during the Great War. Harry took his job seriously strapping on an ammunition belt with a holstered 45 Colt automatic pistol. He was not reluctant to draw the Colt 45 and did so when he thought some of the young adventuresome pilots crossed the line of his authority, even in a joking manner. Sanford Jenkins was flying when he noticed Harry, making his rounds of the airport, crossing a log over the ditch on the east boundary of the north-south runway. Jenkins could not resist buzzing Harry with his J-3 Cub and made a low pass over the guard forcing him off the log and into the wet ditch. At the time there were no trees and only the Jerome Johnson residence existed in that location.
Sanford could observe an extremely angry and disgusted Harry waving the Colt 45 pistol in his direction and it was reported that he did indeed fire a round at the low flying Cub. Sanford quickly departed the area and did not return until another guard had replaced Harry for duty. Sanford avoided Harry’s anger and pistol by shunning the airport for a time following that incident.
Floyd Johnson related that during one of Harry Jones’ guard duty night shifts he would enter the small room attached to the now abandoned Torque Landis hangar in order to get some sleep. On one night some of the more adventuresome pilots, believed to be led by Sanford Jenkins, sneaked into the room and in the dim light noticed Harry fast asleep with the belt and holstered Colt 45 on the floor beside him. Carefully using a stick they eased the belt and pistol towards them, retrieving the items outside the door. They removed all the rounds from the 45 and the ammunition belt, scattering the shells on the ground. Then, the boys, with a loud war hoop, threw the gun on the floor, slammed the door and ran to their waiting car to make their getaway. Harry jumped up grabbed the 45 and tried to fire on these detestable intruders but was unable with the empty pistol. Jones did reload his weapon but by this time the intruders were far out of pistol range.
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Wings Over Cumberland 