Those of us who arrived at Seymour Johnson in the winter of 1956/57 saw a WWII air base pretty much leveled and about half rebuilt compared to what those who left in 1965 saw around them. Many finished or near-finished structures were empty, awaiting furnishings and occupants. (We were detailed to paint some...a relief from KP.) Above is a photo of clearing work in progress for yet another barracks in 1957 and (below) the tanks and partial layout visible for the gas station. It took a year before the first twin beds showed up for airmen...which most of us found startling. And rooms built for three gradually shifted to two by the time I left. And the runways were finally repaired...for a short while...until they started dropping SAC tankers on the swamp base. TDY became a way of life.

Photos courtesy of Dean Hillard.

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