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Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, located in Austin, Texas, is named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, a reservist in the 19th Bombardment Group who was killed in action in the Philippines in 1941. He was the first native Austinite to be killed in World War II. The airport, which opened in 1999, was built on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in the early 1990s. The base was originally named Del Valle Airfield when it was activated in 1942, but it was renamed in March 1943 to honour Captain Bergstrom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Captain John August Earl Bergstrom |
| Rank | Captain |
| Group | 19th Bombardment Group |
| Place of Death | Clark Field, Philippines |
| Death Date | December 8, 1941 |
| Age at Death | 34 |
| Education | Texas A&M University |
| Occupation | Administrative Officer |
| Notable Achievement | First native Austinite to be killed in action during World War II |
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What You'll Learn
Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, the airport's namesake
Austin–Bergstrom International Airport is named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, a reservist in the 19th Bombardment Group who served as an administrative officer. Bergstrom was a graduate of Texas A&M University and a native of Austin, Texas. On December 8, 1941, at the age of 34, he was killed in action at Clark Field in the Philippines, becoming the first Austinite killed in World War II.
In March 1943, at the urging of Bergstrom's former employer, Austin National Bank, and Lyndon B. Johnson, then a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Del Valle Airfield was renamed the Bergstrom Army Airfield in honour of Captain Bergstrom. The base was later renamed Bergstrom Air Force Base when the Air Force became its own military branch in 1947 or 1948. It served faithfully for over 50 years until it was decommissioned in the early 1990s, with all military aviation ceasing in 1995.
As Austin's population grew, the need for a new airport arose due to congestion and safety concerns at the existing Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. The closure of Bergstrom Air Force Base presented an opportunity to convert the site into a civilian airport. In 1993, voters approved a $400 million bond referendum for a new airport, and construction began in November 1994. The new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opened on May 23, 1999, with a 12,250-foot runway, one of the nation's longest commercial runways. The airport has become a destination in itself, impressing visitors with its local representation and unique Austin vibe.
The airport proudly carries on the legacy of Captain John August Earl Bergstrom and serves as a reminder of his sacrifice as the first Austinite killed in World War II.
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Bergstrom Army Airfield
The airfield was originally activated on September 19, 1942, as Del Valle Army Air Base. The United States Army leased 3,000 acres from the city of Austin, on land acquired from the Santiago Del Valle Grant. The Chisholm Trail ran through the tract. On March 3, 1943, the base was renamed Bergstrom Army Airfield in honour of Captain Bergstrom. The name change was urged by Bergstrom's former employer, Austin National Bank, and Lyndon B. Johnson, who was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 10th District at the time.
Bergstrom Air Force Base was closed in the early 1990s through the 1991 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The land was returned to the City of Austin, which decided to transform the military base into a commercial airport. The new airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, opened on May 23, 1999, with one of the nation's longest commercial runways.
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Bergstrom Air Force Base
The history of the base began with the Del Valle Airfield, which was activated on September 19, 1942, on 3,000 acres of land leased from the City of Austin. In March 1943, the airfield was renamed the Bergstrom Army Airfield in honour of Captain Bergstrom. With the separation of the United States Air Force and the United States Army in 1947, the base was renamed Bergstrom Air Force Base.
For over 50 years, Bergstrom Air Force Base served as a vital military aviation hub. However, in the early 1990s, the base was decommissioned, and all military aviation operations ceased in 1995. The closure of the base presented an opportunity to address the growing need for a new civilian airport in Austin. The city had been contemplating building a new airport due to issues with the existing Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, which was congested and surrounded by residential and commercial areas.
In 1993, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission selected Bergstrom for closure, and the land was returned to the City of Austin. This decision paved the way for the development of a new international airport. Construction began in November 1994, with a budget of $585 million. The new airport, named Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, opened to the public on May 23, 1999, with a 12,250-foot runway, one of the nation's longest commercial runways.
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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's history
The history of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport dates back to the mid-20th century. In 1928, voters approved the construction of the city's first airport, and in 1936, Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, named after a former city council member, welcomed its first commercial flight. The airport was initially located on the outskirts of town, but as Austin's population grew, it became landlocked, prompting the city to consider alternative sites for a new airport as early as 1971.
In 1942, the US government purchased land for a military facility, known as Del Valle Army Air Base. The base was renamed Bergstrom Army Airfield in March 1943, honouring Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, an administrative officer with the 19th Bombardment Group, who was the first Austinite killed in World War II. With the separation of the US Air Force and Army in 1947, the base became Bergstrom Air Force Base, serving until it was decommissioned in the early 1990s.
In the 1980s, neighbourhoods near Mueller pressured the city council to select a new airport site, and in 1987, voters approved a location near Manor. However, this plan faced opposition due to environmental concerns and was abandoned in 1991 when the Base Realignment and Closure Commission selected Bergstrom for closure, allowing for its conversion into a civilian airport. Construction of the new airport began in November 1994, with a budget of $585 million, and it opened to the public on May 23, 1999, with one of the nation's longest commercial runways.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has continued to expand since its opening, with the addition of new gates, terminals, and facilities. The airport is currently undergoing a major expansion programme, "Journey With AUS", to accommodate the growing travel demand. The airport is also a destination in itself, reflecting the unique character of Austin and attracting visitors with its local representation and charm.
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Other airports in Austin
Bergstrom Airport in Austin, Texas, is named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, a reservist in the 19th Bombardment Group, who was killed at Clark Field in the Philippines in 1941. He was the first Austinite killed in World War II.
Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, or ABIA, is an international airport in Austin, Texas, serving the Greater Austin metropolitan area. It is located about 5 miles southeast of downtown Austin, covering 4,242 acres and featuring two runways and three helipads. The airport is the third busiest in Texas and the 27th busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic.
Austin–Bergstrom International Airport opened to the public on May 23, 1999, with a 12,250-foot runway, one of the nation's longest commercial runways. The airport has expanded over the years, with the addition of new gates and facilities to accommodate larger aircraft and increasing passenger numbers. The airport's South Terminal features a retro, mid-century modern design and hosts low-cost airlines.
Before the opening of Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, Austin's main airport was the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, named after Robert Mueller, a city council member who died of blood poisoning brought on by hay fever. As Austin's population grew, the city began considering options for a new airport as early as 1971. The Robert Mueller Municipal Airport was closed in May 1999 when Austin–Bergstrom International Airport opened.
Other airports near Austin, Texas, include San Antonio International Airport, about an hour's drive away, and Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport, which offers cheaper flights but is less accessible.
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Frequently asked questions
Austin–Bergstrom International Airport.
Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, a reservist in the 19th Bombardment Group, who was the first Austinite killed in World War II.
On March 3, 1943.
Del Valle Airfield.
The Barbara Jordan passenger terminal.
