U. S. Naval Air StationPort Lyautey, Morocco

The following photographs are from the personal collection of Jerry (Gerald J.) Zimmerman who served at NAS Port Lyautey between 8/2/47 to 4/15/48. Copies of these photographs may be obtained in a larger format by contacting Jerry at Jerdadzim@cs.com. Former shipmates of Jerry may also contact him at the same e-mail address.

Naval Air Station Base Scenes and Personnel Photographs

60 years have past, and although most names of fellow shipmates have escaped me, the faces on many of my pictures remain surprisingly familiar. I do remember the names of three of the young men in the back row of this picture. Second from the left is Green, who was the head of the Electrical Department. Fourth from the left is "Willie" Moore. In 1947 Willie became the first Black American serving the Navy in North Africa to be integrated into my former, all white division. Willie became my bunk mate and we remained the best of friends and in touch until his death in about 2003. Willie became a "lifer" and retired as a Chief Petty Officer. His son went to the US Naval Academy and the last I heard (I believe it was about 1996) he was a Captain of a US Navy Ship based in Japan. The young man to Willie's right is Fletcher. Fletcher was red-headed and a FREE spirit who kept everyone smiling on and off the Base.

My good friend, Green. In 1947- 48 he was in charge of the NAS Port Lyautey Electrical Department.

View from the roof of the Main Hangar looking south towards Port Lyautey. The Catholic Church steeple can be seen on the left, just below the horizon line, and above the Sebou River. Just south of center on the horizon line is the French Prison wall. The large building is the Army's hangar and Mess Hall.

Picture of "Bruder", a Control Tower Operator, receiving a Commendation in August of 1947 from the Navy pilot he saved from crashing his mail plane into the Sebou River. The ceremony was held in front of the Main Hangar's entrance. (More details of this incident can be found in Jerry's letter's.)

Picture taken looking towards what was known as the French Barracks, home quarters for the US Navy until January 1, 1948. The basketball game was between USN/USAF and French Navy sailors. The first building was the enlisted men's barracks, the middle and far buildings were Officer Quarters. The water tower was a very noticeable and remembered landmark.

An August, 1947 Full Dress Inspection in front of the Main Hangar.

Jerry at the Photo Lab Office desk. Note the view out of the window from the second floor of the West side of the Main Hangar. The French Barracks can be seen. It was from this window that Jerry watched for "Ansel Adams" clouds for spectacular pictures of NAS Port Lyautey.

Willie Moore. He became a Navy career man, eventually retiring as a Chief Petty Officer.

Azure Kurrie, the Base Photographer Jerry replaced in August of 1947. (Read more about this interesting sailor's life in Jerry's letters.)

Just over the shoulder and in front of a French Navy guard in 1947 is Captain Dudley. The US Captain greets and welcomes visiting French Officers during one of many like official visits leading up to the return of the Base to

Captain Dudley realized his crew was getting a bit out of shape. And this picture, taken in front of the Main Hangar, seems to agree with that observation. I don't recall that this exercise was continued long enough to do any good. As the Base Photographer I thought it was a good idea to sacrifice the exercise to take some pictures. (;-)

Captain Dudley was right, some could…some couldn't touch their toes! Across from the Main Hanger's office and on the north apron are an Army C-47 and a Navy R4D-6.

A view looking east from the top of "the Hill." The Main Hanger is in the valley, and the Senior Officer's Barrack is on the right.

Probably the most recognizable structure on the base through all the decades, the original Water Tower!

Shipmate Jenkins and me in 1947 standing beneath the largest/tallest palm tree on the base. In my letter's I mention that this palm tree was located at the "old cement factory." Does anyone remember such a place? My recall is that the tree was just west-side of the main air strip. I remember using a self-timer on the camera and almost broke my neck trying to get back to the tree before the shutter clicked!

Two civilian ladies from Port Lyautey who, in 1947 - 48 operated the Base's telephone switch board. All of the civilian employees were good, dependable workers. They were well liked, appreciated, and respected by all of us U.S. servicemen.

Although the place of worship on the Base was very humble, once inside a lonesome sailor could quickly forget that it was just another of many, identical Quonset Huts. I think this picture presents the almost cathedral like ceiling and feeling I had during Sunday services.

A typical Quonset Hut barracks with its "luxurious" sleeping accommodations!

A view from the top of the water tower looking towards the Sebou River. The south end of the north - south runway can be seen on the right. (I would welcome identification of the buildings in this or other pictures within this collection.)

A wide view of the Hanger

One of many sections of Quonset Huts on "the Hill" of the Base.

The Base Fire Department. Note the many airplanes on the field.

A view from the top of the water tower. Please notice that the right-side of this picture will overlap the left-side of the following picture, providing a panoramic view.

A view from the top of the water tower. The south and west part of the airfield can be seen below the hill and in front of the Sebou River.

A view from the top of the water tower looking west-southwest towards the entryway of the Sebu River into the Atlantic Ocean.

The local Port Lyautey orchestra playing for a summertime dance party at the straw thatched, Mehedia Beach Enlisted Men's Club. The orchestra also played during fall, winter and spring events at the Enlisted Men's Club in Port Lyautey.

Inside the Enlisted Men's Mehedia Beach Club. Although beer came in cans in 1947 - 48, check the picture to see that it was long before the invention of zip tops.

Jerry Zimmerman with a stork recovering from a broken leg. The Crash Crew, always ready, had come to its rescue and the bird was patient enough to receive a splint and tender loving care.

Motor mechanics servicing one of the Base's planes. I believe the sailor on the left is Wyatt.

Jr. and Sr. U.S. Navy Officer's Quarters (French Barracks) through 1947.

I am not certain, but I think the fenced, Quonset Hut area, was a part of the married Officer's family living quarters.

I have no memory of who was being welcomed aboard the Base by CMDR. Phelps (on the left), Captain Dudley (looking towards the camera on the right), and the Base Executive Officer (back to camera on the right).

The Base Executive Officer greeting a visitor fresh off the NATS plane while being piped aboard. Jerry Zimmerman decided to have a recorded picture moment so he asked to be part of the reception guard and had Squadron Photographer, Lyles, take the pictures. Jerry stands on the left, and beside the ramp.

Another picture given to me by my French Navy Officer friend, DéDé. DéDé stands with his comrades in front of their Quonset Hut, in the back row, second from the right.