Elevation 249 feet, Fairfax County, Virginia GPS 38º46'20.40"N : 77º4'54.07"W
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Groveton Aircraft Spotters Observation Post
The Washington Post, August 3, 1944
Friends of Beacon Field Airport recently discovered historical documentation and newspaper articles commending the 85 observers who served at the Groveton Observation Post of the Army Aircraft Warning Service (AWS) during World War II. The award ceremony had been held at the historic Groveton School auditorium.
Friends of Beacon Field are actively conducting research and are eager to develop the fullest details of this facet of Groveton history. In early 1942, a corps of civilian volunteer aircraft spotters were trained in observing and reporting movements of possible raiding aircraft by CAA Airmark Specialists like Mrs. Blanche Noyes (1).Uniquely qualified, Mrs. Noyes was the first woman ever to win theBendix cross country air race (2). She opened each of her training lectures with the following:
"Remember, that you are taking on one of the most unglamourous, uncomfortable, uninspiring, but most important jobs in the entire war effort. You are the first line of defense on the home front."(3)
The Groveton Observation Post was one of the 7500 civilian posts in the nationwide warning service network that was manned 24 hours a day during the heightened security period of WWII. The posts were located in barns, church steeples, roof tops, or specially built observation towers. The Groveton Post was officially located in the AWS 8th District(4); however,the exact location remains a mystery. Recent eyewitness account places the Observation Tower on the Beacon Field property. The Washington Post reported that the Groveton Civic Association (GCA) held a benefit game party for the installation of electric lights in the post(5).
When W.F.P.Reid was appointed to the Civilian Defense Council in July 1942 (6), it is likely that he also granted permission to the AWS to install the observation post on his airport, Beacon Field. However, recent eyewitness account places the Observation Tower on Collard Street. Friends of Beacon Field recently acquired authentic AWS spotter artifacts including arm band, identification card, and AWS wings pin. Additionally letters of AWS commendation letters have been found. See new photos below.
Contact us if you have any information about this very important piece of history !!!
