Tyndall History Facts (3) Published Sept. 22, 2009 By Ted Roberts 325th Fighter Wing historian TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- On May 6, 1941 construction on the new military installation near Panama City, Fla., was about to begin. The building contracts for the gunnery school called for the construction of an airfield and a temporary housing area. The airfield would consist of three principal runways - with a fourth added later - taxi strips, a parking apron, and a technical area with hangar, warehouse, sub-depot, and ordinance facilities. Housing would consist of 71 barracks able to hold 64 men each, administration, operations, and utility buildings. Officers' quarters and a hospital were also included. Everything was in motion, but the installation still lacked a name. Congressman Bob Sikes, of the Third Congressional District, suggested naming the school in memory of Lieutenant Francis B. Tyndall. Lieutenant Tyndall, a native of Sewall Point, Fla., (near Fort Lauderdale), had been a fighter pilot during World War I. He was credited with having shot down four German planes during September and October 1918. Not officially an ace, Lieutenant Tyndall did receive the Silver Star for pressing an attack far behind enemy lines. After the war, Lieutenant Tyndall stayed in the Army, and on July 16, 1930, his plane became lost in fog over Mooresville, N.C. The plane ran out of gas and crashed, killing him instantly. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with appropriate military honors. The War Department approved Congressman Sikes' suggestion on June 13, 1941, and officially named the new installation Tyndall Army Air Field.