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From: "Dorothy Kew" <>
Subject: Vernam Field revisited ...how it got its name
Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2003 08:00:29 -0400


Hi folks!

You may remember the thread on Vernam Field, which did encourage a number of
you to post. Since it's been pretty quiet on the List lately I thought I
would toss out a few bits of trivia that I managed to find about the U.S.
Base in Jamaica during WW II. I purchased a microfilm of historical
information about the bases, Vernam Field and Fort Simonds, from the U. S.
Air Force Museum. It's very interesting ... unfortunately done on negative
microfilm so that any accompanying pictures cannot be well reproduced.

I was interested in knowing more about why the two areas were given those
names, and this is what I found. From a report, headed Fort Simonds,
Jamaica, B. W. I., 30 December 1943:

Historical Data, Vernam Field, Jamaica Base Command, 21 November 1941 - 30
December 1943

Vernam Field is named for 1st Lt. Remington De B. Vernam, who was born in
New York State, 24 March 1896. He enlisted in the Aviation Section, AEF, in
Paris during 1917, and received his training in France. He was commissioned
1st Lt. 23rd November 1917. Lt. VErnam was cited for extraordinary heroism
at Busiancy, France, 1st October 1918. Reported missing in action 31st
October 1918, following combat with the enemy, he was taken prisoner and
died of wounds 1st DEcember 1918, adn is buried at Lonchavry, France. He
was awarded the DSC, posthumously, on 12th February 1919. Lt. Vernam
accounted for three or more enemy planes, for two or more enemy balloons.

Next time ... how Fort Simonds got its name!

Dorothy

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