Gordon Joseph Guidry, Sr.
October 1, 2024
Squirrel and Rabbit Hunting Seasons Begin This Saturday in Louisiana
October 1, 2024
The Regional Military Museum is excited to announce that a new historical marker, sponsored by the local museum, will soon be installed on the corner of Clendenning Road and East Main in Houma.
“In spite of our sad news concerning the passing of our museum president Will Theriot’s recent passing, we remember that he would want us to continue to do the work he trained us to do,” reads a statement from the Regional Military Museum. “And with that said, we are excited to announce this exciting news!”
“Naval Air Station Houma was built in 1943 to combat the German U-boat threat. Its wooden hanger was 183 feet tall, 297 feet wide, and over 1,086 feet long,” reads the historical marker. “NAS Houma house six K-Class blimps that patrolled the Gulf of Mexico. The base was demolished in 1949, but its foundation can still be seen today.”
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- Photo provided.
The Regional Military Museum provided a complete history of NAS Houma, which reads as follows:
Six K-class US Navy blimps were based at NAS Houma. The squadron “Bayou Bombers” was active in Houma for 18 months, until on April 19, 1944, blip K-133 was lost in the Gulf of Mexico due to a severe thunderstorm. From a crew of 10, there was only one survivor.
“The next day, three unmanned blimps were blown out of the base’s hanger and destroyed. Due to the effectiveness of blimp patrols and more aircraft becoming unavailable, the “Bayou Bombers” were transferred elsewhere for the war effort.
“NAS Houma was later used for aircraft storage. After the war, the US Navy Department turned over custody of the base to the Terrebonne Parish Government, which deemed the 1,000 foot hanger a liability and demolished it in 1948. The lumber was sold for construction purposes within the Houma area.”
To learn more about World War II in Terrebonne Parish, and the role the played in other significant historical moments, please visit the Regional Military Museum at 1154 Barrow Street. For more information, please visit their Facebook page.
