HAGERSTOWN – World War II remains one of the most talked about moments in history for so many reasons — from the darkest and most tragic displays of horror in human history to the moments of glory and unity as the Allied forces stifled the efforts of Nazi Germany and their allies.
The war was felt not just by the brave souls overseas witnessing the brutality of war, but also the men, women and even children back here at home that became involved in building up America’s strength.
The people of Hagerstown had their share of hometown heroes, especially the hard-working employees of Fairchild Aircraft. Founded in 1925 by Sherman Fairchild, the legendary company was originally located originally in Farmingdale, New York. In 1929, the company moved their headquarters to Hagerstown after purchasing the Kreider-Reisner Aircraft Company and leased out property at 775 Frederick St.
Fairfield Aircraft played a significant role in aerial combat during WWII. The company manufactured many planes and aerial equipment such as C-82 Packet transports, AT-21 Gunner trainers, Cornell PT-19/PT-23/PT-26’s and the trade named Fairchild 24. During the fighting years of the second World War, the company produced nearly 7,000 trainer aircraft.
However, the biggest impact that the aircraft company had was not just on the war, but the company’s impact on equality. In the 1940’s there was a great deal of civil unrest within many American cities. Some might recall the race riots in Detroit or New York City in 1943. While Hagerstown no doubt had their own share of issues with civil rights, the Fairfield Aircraft company was making strides towards changing that.
In August of 1942, the company opened Plant #7 which employed Black men and women from around the region. There they produced aircraft parts and sheet metal for plane assembly. The primary focus in that plant was for the Cornell PT-19’s.
In 1944 a new plant was opened on Wilson Boulevard and Kuhn Avenue called “Plant 5.” This would then become the primary employment location for Black workers. While this was just a small step in the fight for civil rights, it was a moment in time that shed some light at a time of darkness.
Hagerstown’s WWII history did not stop with planes in the air. There was also a ship. In 1944, the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation was commissioned to build a ship for the War Shipping Administration. The 455-foot-long, 15-ton VC2-S-AP3 Victory class ship was christened the SS Hagerstown Victory.
The cargo-style ship was built for what the administration department called the U.S. Army Transportation Corps, and its mission was to transport troops to Europe in early 1945. She launched on Feb. 13th. In addition to transporting troops, the ship also carried goods and supplies to war-ravaged countries such as France and Ukraine. At the end of the war, the Hagerstown Victory was one of the many ships that brought our troops home from the front.
The SS Hagerstown Victory had not finished her service though. In 1967, after spending 21 years docked at the James River in Virginia, the ship was again called to serve her country. This time, the ship was used to transport U.S. troops to Vietnam to fight in yet another war.
After her second round of service, the Hagerstown Victory was sold to the private sector and was renamed several times. The great ship that had served the U.S. military through two wars sank off the coast of Luzan in the Philippines during a hurricane in November 1970. It was a sad ending to a ship with a great legacy.
Hagerstown may not be the first place that comes to mind when people mention World War II, but like every corner of America, her proud citizens were ready to step up and offer their services to the war effort.
