History

by Melissa LaScaleia To understand our Myrtle Beach history, of how it was birthed into being and took shape, it’s important to look at the history of what surrounds it.  Thus our history section for this month continues where we left off— with the settlement and expansion of Charleston, one-and-a-half-hours south of Myrtle Beach.  As we saw last month, in the 1600s, Charles Town as it was then called, today modern day Charleston, was established by the Lord Proprietors who were given dominion over the Carolinas by King Charles II of England.  They had a vision of making Charles Town a great port city.  This is one of the most fascinating places and times in all of history— vividly colorful, rife with potential and danger, and for many— it held unlimited opportunity to shape your life. It was a new world, and they simply made it up as they went along, although much was modeled after Europe. But this way of thinking and living was unprecedented in the class-structure that was so entrenched in Europe during this age. There was less emphasis on class distinctions because the culture was shaped by the day-to-day tasks of building and creating to establish, rather than adhering to what already existed, since little did exist.  In other words, social norms weren’t able to be enforced, and weren’t even as important, when everyone was simply trying to become established and survive.  The French and Spanish didn’t recognize England’s claim to the land, and wanted it for themselves.  Several times they targeted the coastline and attacked the new colony, attempting to uproot them.  The Charles Town colonists built a wall around their settlement fortifying themselves against the raiders and were successful in keeping them at bay.   Then too, there was a constant influx of new settlers– from the Virginia colony, emigrants from England, and slaves from Barbados– and everyone was forced to rub shoulders.  Even though slaves were treated as property and had no social status, this intermingling still created a different culture, with a flavor and feel that was uniquely its own.  In the late 1600s, infrastructure and governing was better, and the governor created a city-scape plan for Charles Town, laying it out in a grid pattern to establish better cohesion.  Settlers who successfully curried favor with the nobility in Europe or the New World for one reason or another were granted large tracts of land and began to operate large-scale plantations powered by slaves, establishing the area’s plantation culture.  Then there were the periodic raids by the Native Americans from inland, as well as by pirates from the coast.  But still Charles Town survived and grew larger.  And within ten years from when it was first founded in some small tents, it was moved further south to its current location on the peninsular.  By the 1700s, Charles Town was thriving in industry and trade.  By the early 1700s, the colonists were finally successful in cultivating indigo, a plant which was much coveted by the nobility of Europe who prized clothes dyed with the purple-blue color produced by the plant.  While rice grew in the swampy areas, indigo did well in areas that were dryer, where rice was unable to be produced.  Previously unused portions of land now generated income for property owners.  And the labor-intensive cultivation of indigo boosted the slave trade and population of the colony.  By the late 1700s, half of the area’s population were slaves.  Click here to read more of our history features.  

by Melissa LaScaleia Last month’s history article explored possibilities about where the name Chicora originated, and this month, we continue where our story left off— with the Spanish and French making initial discoveries and colonizing attempts of the coastal land.  The first documented visitation to the South Carolina coast by the Spanish was in 1521.  The first documented visitation to South Carolina by a French ship occurred in 1524, when King Francis I of France, sent the Italian, Giovanni da Verrazzano on an exploratory journey along North America’s eastern coast.  Verrazzano however, wasn’t looking to colonize, rather he sought a passage to the Pacific Ocean, and continued on. But it wasn’t until five years after Spain’s initial visit, that the explorer and conquistador who spearheaded the original exploration of the area and enlisted the aid of Pedro de Quejo and Francisco Gordillo to do so on his behalf, one Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon, attempted to colonize the Winyah Bay area (near what is today Myrtle Beach).  Lucas amassed a group of colonizers aboard three ships, and set sail for the South Carolina coast.  However, his slave/guide whom we introduced last month, Francisco Chicora, abandoned him upon arrival and he lost one of his three ships in an unknown river off the coast.  Off to a rocky start, things didn’t improve.  The colony was called San Miguel de Gualdape, and it’s impossible to know it’s exact location because it was never documented and was abandoned in a matter of months. Ravaged by fever and a harsh winter, almost everyone perished, including Ayllon.  He is however, known as the first European colonizer, and, what is also fascinating, was the man responsible for bringing the first African American slaves to what is now the United States.  Ayllon brought the slaves as labor to help him erect the colony. Seeing the colony’s weakness however, they soon rebelled, and fled away from the coast, where it is theorized that they settled with the Native Americans. The same year that saw the first colony here, 1526, is also remembered in history as the year of the first slave uprising on the continent.  More than thirty years passed before the French made a first attempt to set up a colony; it was much further south of Myrtle Beach, at Parris Island. This attempt also failed, and had a rather grim end.  The Myrtle Beach area remained sleepy, peaceful, and undisturbed by further attempts at colonization for over a century until the mid 1600s.  The first permanent English settlement in South Carolina was founded in 1670, mostly by Virginians exploring what lay to the south.  It was called Albemarle Point in present day North Carolina, about three hours away from Myrtle Beach by car.  Around the same time, the English King Charles II doled out parts of the North American coast to favored noblemen and made them colonies under the British Crown, with the noblemen as protectorates of the land.  Carolina was one of these pieces, and originally included what is today the areas of North and South Carolina.  The territory was overseen by eight so-named Lord Proprietors, who were eager to further populate the area and thus ensure it stayed out of the grasp of the Spanish, who had firm establishments further south.  The Lord Proprietors implemented liberal and generous living, political, and religious policies to incentivize people to move to the vast tract of land.  It worked.  And in ensuing years, the settlement at Albemarle moved further south into the Charleston area and became known as the hub of the southern colonies, with opportunities for industry and a new start arguably the backbone of its success. 

by Melissa LaScaleia Usually our history section recounts the stories of people who were involved in the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in some capacity or another. This month, we turn the clock back further, to share who and what was in this area long before the United States existed. Like the rest of North America, the area of South Carolina was populated by Native American tribes. In our area, there were the Pee Dees, the Waccamaw and Winyah tribes. What is today known as Kings Highway was once upon a time a Native American walking trail for these people. Warring neighboring tribes kept the Pee Dees, Waccamaws, and Winyahs safely near the coast. And they learned to live o the land in this area. They harvested oysters, hunted deer, turkey, and bear, as well as fish, crabs, shrimp and clams. They built houses out of palmetto and pine trees. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of evidence giving us insight into what their lives and customs were truly like. But there are a multitude of legends and rumored stories. One of those has to do with Chicora. Some accounts say, and then many accounts repeat, that the Waccamaws and Winyahs named the area around what is today Pawleys Island “Chicora,” which means “the land.” But another account shares a possible explanation for the name’s existence being attributed to Spanish settlers rather than Native peoples. According to this account, on June 24, 1521, two Spanish ships, manned independently by Pedro de Quejo and Francisco Gordillo, discovered the coast of South Carolina via the mouth of what is today known as the South Santee River. The Spanish initially had peaceful encounters with the natives they met, but their intentions were to capture them and return to Spain with them as slaves. According to the account of one Peter Martyr, one of these eventual slaves was named Francisco and his nickname was el Chicorano. It’s here that the story breaks down in veracity and we’re left with conjecture. There have been theories that the name was a derogatory joke by the Spanish, a permutation of the Spanish word for “frog,” mixed with the poorly understood sounds of the native peoples’ word for “boy.” Hence the nickname means something along the lines of frog boy. But it is for certain that the name “Chicora” stuck, and the land that the two Spaniards discovered that day became known as Chicora. It also became the stuff of legends, and somehow through word of mouth or the passage of time, or both, Chicora morphed into a Garden of Eden, overflowing with the abundance of pearls, jewels, richness, lush fruits and vegetation, and the promise of gold and silver further inland. The very word conjured up images of earthly paradise, and spurred the Spanish and French to vie for acquisition of pieces of the coast over the next sixty years, as they sought and fought to find the fabled land of milk and honey. Today, we all know that the silly fools simply weren’t looking properly because those of us who live here know we’ve found paradise, our own version anyway. To read more of our history features, click here!

By Melissa LaScaleia This month, we recount the illustrious history of the 354th Fighter Wing of the United States Air Force, which was once stationed at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in the current day Market Common. The history of this particular Fighter Wing dates back to the beginning of the Second World War, and has a long and rather complex history. It was created on November 15, 1942 at Hamilton Army Field, in California, and initially stationed at several other bases around the United States for the first year. Pilots trained in P-39 fighter craft, and then, in 1943, they moved to England. They were the first group in the Air Force to use the newly developed P-51 Mustang fighter craft, before entering combat. The 354th Fighter Wing flew intense fighter-bomber missions during part of WWII. The group distinguished itself with almost 600 victories, and earned two Distinguished Unit Citations and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. In 1946, the 354th was inactivated. Then, at the onset of the Cold War, the Air Force reinstated the unit as the 354th Fighter-Day Group, and stationed it at Myrtle Beach. In 1958, it was renamed the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing and had 84 officers, 3 warrant officers, and 911 enlisted men, several RF-80 aircraft, and one B-26. F-100s were later added. The 354th Fighter Wing was very active in military service during a series of world crises in the twentieth century, and spent relatively little time in its home base of Myrtle Beach especially in the 60’s. Units deployed to West Germany in 1961 during the time of the Berlin Wall construction. They were also deployed to Alaska in 1963, due to their proximity to the Soviet Union. During the Dominican Republic Crisis in 1965, units were sent to assist with that crisis. Many units also deployed to South Vietnam and Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and afterwards. The 354th received the Presidential Unit Citation for service to their country for the years 1972-1973. In 1977, the 354th replaced their aircraft with A-10s, and conducted routine missions and trainings until the Persian Gulf War. The 354th was one of the first units to deploy in 1990; during that conflict, they shone in the role of offering close air support. Heroic actions have always been a part of the 354th. During the Persian Gulf War, Captain Paul Johnson and Captain Rand Goff, both of the 354th, rescued a Navy pilot 200 miles inside Iraq. Captain Johnson earned the Air Force Cross for his valor. The unit returned to Myrtle Beach in 1991, and the Air Force base closed in 1993. The 354th became inactivated because of the closure, but in an effort to preserve the Air Force’s “most honored wings,” less than five months later, it was reinstated at Eielson Air Force Base, in Alaska. There it remains to this day, acting as a defense for the Northwest part of the country and serving in worldwide missions. To read more history features, click here!

Georgetown County Native and Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent of the 354th at Myrtle Beach By Melissa LaScaleia This month’s history section commemorates U.S. Air Force veteran and South Carolina native, Jimmy E. Davis. There is a plague dedicated to him along Farrow Parkway, right by the intersection of Hendrick Avenue—between Hendrick and Howard. His plaque is one of many that are in close proximity on this block. Jimmy E. Davis was born on June 1,1937, and grew up in nearby Georgetown County, South Carolina. He attended Winyah High School also in Georgetown. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U. S. Air Force and entered basic training. Jimmy chose to pursue a career in aircraft maintenance, and enrolled in Jet Aircraft Mechanics School at Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas. He graduated in December, 1954. For the duration of his service with the U.S. Air Force, he stayed within the aircraft maintenance career field, a highly complex and demanding occupation.= For his first operational assignment, he was sent to Europe, where he was stationed at Chaumont and Laon Air Bases in France, and at Bitburg Air Base, in Germany. He played a large role in supporting the U.S. during the Vietnam War, by maintaining and repairing aircrafts. First he was sent to Korat Air Base, in Thailand, in 1964. He deployed with the first F-105D aircraft that had been sent to that Air Force base, to maintain it and other aircrafts. In 1970, he was assigned to his nearby home, to the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base where he served as the NCO-In-Charge of Aircraft Quality Control. Later, he became an Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent in the organizational and flight line maintenance squadrons. In 1972, he was sent a second time to aid America in Vietnam, again to Korat Air Base. This time, he maintained the A-7D aircraft of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, based at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. He served two additional tours to support America during the Vietnam War: both in Udorn Royal Air Base, Thailand. Jimmy E. Davis was selected to be the Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing. In this position, he achieved superior results, and showed himself to be an outstanding leader and manager. As a result he earned the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. Chief Master Sergeant Jimmy E. Davis died in Surfside Beach, at the age of 78, on October 13, 2015.

Oklahoma Native, Commander of the 354th at Myrtle Beach by Melissa LaScaleia Brigadier General Joel T. Hall was born in 1935 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His career trajectory brought him to serve the United States Air Force as commander of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in 1984. Hall Lane, which intersects with Cook Circle near Iris Street in the Market Common, is named in his honor. We commemorate his career and accomplishments and remember his service to our city and country in this month’s history section. Joel T. Hall attended Shawnee Oklahoma High School, and graduated in 1954. He joined ROTC in college, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma’s School of Aerospace Engineering with a bachelor’s degree in 1961. Then, he was commissioned a second lieutenant through the Air Force Re-serve Officer Training Corps program and began pilot training. After completing pilot training, he returned to his home state of Oklahoma in 1962 where he was stationed to train other pilots. In January 1967, during the Vietnam War, he was assigned to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Bien Hoa Air Base, in South-Central Vietnam, about 16 miles from Saigon. Joel Hall was awarded the Silver Star by the President of the United States for his gallantry in service during his Vietnam term. On July 11, 1967, Joel, then a Captain, was acting as the Wingman in a relief flight mission of two F-100s that were sent to deliver weapons to a U.S. special forces camp that was in danger of being overrun by the North Vietnamese. The weather conditions at the time were hazardous, and visibility was very poor, making it challenging to accurately deliver the needed relief weapons. He also faced in-tense hostile ground fire from the enemy. Despite these circumstances, Captain Hall made numerous successful deliveries. Because of his valor, the special forces were able to overcome the North Vietnamese and cause them to retreat. In 1968, he left Vietnam for England, where he was assigned to the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Station, in Lakenheath. He later served as a squadron weapons officer, as well as a flight examiner in the wing standardization and evaluation office. Then he was stationed as Directorate of Operations at the U.S. Air Forces Europe Headquarters, in West Germany from 1970-1972. Hall attended Air Command and Staff College, and graduated in 1973. Then he served as the Directorate of Operations for the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, in Washington, D.C., from July 1973 to July 1977. His duties included serving with the worldwide range improvement program, joint operational tests, and the joint Air Force and Navy air combat evaluation and air intercept missile evaluation. He was stationed in South Korea in 1977. He graduated from National War College in 1981. In 1984, he was appointed commander of the 354th Tactical Fight Wing at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, where he served until 1986. General Hall is a command pilot who has flown more than 4,000 hours. His military awards and decorations include: the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 15 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Combat Readiness Medal. He was promoted to brigadier general on February 1, 1987. He retired from service on August 1, 1991. To read more about the Market Common’s history, click here!

A Perspective and Historical Account by Lynn Mueller On October 16, 1939, the Myrtle Beach Town Council concluded that the community was in dire need of a municipal airport. Given this conclusion, the town purchased one hundred thirty-five acres of adjoining property. Shortly thereafter, the airport was named the Harrelson Municipal Airport. It was named after Mayor W. L. Harrelson, a strong supporter of this project. During World War II, the Army Corps took over Harrelson Municipal Airport. The United States Department of War formally took charge of the airport in 1942 and named it the Myrtle Beach General Bombing and Gunnery Range. Finally, in 1943, the 5,000-acre base became known as the Myrtle Beach Army Air Field. After the war, the site was deactivated and returned to the city with 114 buildings in place. The Myrtle Beach Municipal Airport was reborn in November of 1947. The airport was donated to the military once again, this time to the Air Force, in 1954. It continued under their direction until 1991, when it was announced that the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base would permanently close. The base closed two years later, on March 31, 1993. It was expected that the closing of the base would necessitate the loss of more than 5,000 jobs, leave 1,500 homes vacant and for sale, reduce student enrollment by 15%, and raise unemployment by 20%, and generate a loss of over $91 million in taxes and general revenue. The lake across from Grand Park offers a mile long walking and running path with exercising stations along the way. This aerial photograph, taken atop a crane, shows how thoroughly and beautifully the Market Common has been redeveloped. By August 1995, the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority was created with retired Air Force Colonel Buddy Styers at its head. This lead to the creation of the area we now know as the Market Common, which is comprised of 110 acres. In the early 1980s, the concept of New Urbanism arose. New Urbanism is a planning and development approach based upon an understanding of how cities have been built over the last several centuries. This approach replicated walkable blocks and streets, housing, and shopping near and accessible to open, public spaces. This approach was a reaction to the sprawling, single-use, low density pattern of post World War II development. The flight from urban America to suburbia had created a post urban society which disconnected homes from a traditional urban setting, where shopping and community connectivity had been the norm. The net result of suburbia was the creation of a situation with negative economic and environmental impacts. The evolution of New Urbanism was principally created as a reaction to the flight to suburbia. While Market Common as we find it today is unique to all of us, it is but one of literally thousands of similar types of developments across the United States and nations including The Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The basic principal driving the New Urbanism approach, which sometimes is called Traditional Neighborhood Development or TND, is that public and private spaces are of equal importance. Given this concept, one can create a balanced community which serves a wide range of home and business opportunities. Howard Avenue, in the Market Common, bustles with activity. Few people notice the building block that is encroaching beyond its intended borders. Colonel Buddy Styers, as head of the Redevelopment Authority, worked close- ly with the City of Myrtle Beach. The city had commissioned the development of an urban village plan that the Authority did not have access to, but through his efforts the city cooperated and an agreement was reached to integrate this plan into the planning process of the Authority. It was a commitment which included connecting what was to be developed with the history of the site. This led to the naming of all the streets in Market Common after those who were connected in some way to the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. In addition, plaques were placed throughout Market Common with narratives relaying the history of both the Air Force Base, and the people who made memorable contributions in connection to it. In addition to what might be characterized as Market Common’s downtown, residential neighborhoods surround the core shopping and living area. The core commercial district is filled with unique shopping opportunities with many locally owned businesses and eateries. The SoHo section was designed to replicate past urban America with a first floor as a commercial shop/work place and the business owner living upstairs. This section is relatively unique in these types of developments, and a tremendous shopping experience for residents and visitors alike. The mix of housing opportunities has stayed consistent over recent years. Sales trends tracking the sale of condominiums versus single family homes has continued to sustain each category. For example, in 2012, one-third of the properties purchased were condominiums and two- thirds were single family homes. This percentage stayed the same in 2013. By 2014, the ratio was one condo for every seven single family homes sold, and by 2016, this ratio was one condo for every five single family homes sold. “The backside of Curtis Brown Lane in the Sweetgrass Square development. Developments such as these bring life to the Market Common and support the economy.” Some interesting historical development tidbits are: Based on client design criteria, both the Barnes & Noble and P.F. Chang’s buildings required specific design com- mitments including the need for the Authority to build two large horses at the entrance to P.F. Chang’s. The lakes, the parks, the playgrounds and other public spaces were designed for not only aesthetic purposes but to serve the community and visitors. The addition of Horry Georgetown Technical College campus and the recent addition of the International Culinary Institute have enhanced the nature of the entire development. The development called for the installation of decorative street lamps throughout Market Common. The city wanted to put in standard street … Read more

Top Gun and Commander of the MBAF Base by Melissa LaScaleia Tucked away in the Market Common, intersecting Hendrick Avenue, is Jenkins Alley, so named after Brigadier General James J. Jenkins, who logged more than 3,100 hours flying with the United States Air Force. Little information can be found about James Jenkins early life, but we do know that he was a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (more commonly called Virginia Tech) in 1964, with a bachelor of science degree in animal science. In 1967, he received a master’s degree in animal physiology, from West Virginia University. James began his military career in college through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. After completing his master’s degree, he entered the United States Air Force. During his impressive military career, he distinguished himself with the following awards: Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster; Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. James excelled in rank steadily; he was promoted from Captain in 1969, to Major in 1973, to Lieutenant Colonel in 1978, to Colonel in 1983, ending with the appointment of Brigadier General in 1992, before retiring in 1997. James was stationed in South Vietnam with the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, during the Vietnam War in 1969. He was a student at the Royal College of Air Warfare, in Cranwell, England, as well as a pilot and flight commander of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. He flew 198 combat missions over Southeast Asia. In 1981, he earned his first appointment as commander, over the 22nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, at Bittburg Air Base, in West Germany.
 Throughout his career, he flew F-102, F-106, F-4, F-15, A-10 and F-16 aircrafts. His skill earned him the accolade of F-106 Category Top Gun. From 1985-1987, he was appointed commander, Air Forces Iceland, at Keflavik Naval Air Station, in Iceland. His following appointment was as vice commander of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Then, he was appointed commander. He served in those positions for three years, from 1987-1990. He went on to serve at other bases— as base commander in South Korea, deputy director of operations in Washington, D.C., and the deputy chief of staff for plans and operations. His last assignment was as director of logistics, Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, at Hickam Air Force Base, in Hawaii, where he was responsible for the maintenance and support of fighter and support aircraft and management of equipment and supplies valued at more than $3.3 billion. He was also responsible for the allocation and maintenance of vehicles and war reserve equipment valued at over $350 million.

Our history column usually recounts the stories of those who served in the United States Military and were connected with the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. But this month, we’d like to commemorate the actions of a local civilian who was honored many years ago with his own plaque in the Market Common as well as with the naming of a street. The eponymous Fred Nash Boulevard is located in the Market Common; it intersects Farrow Parkway near Highway 17 Business. Once through the intersection, the boulevard turns into Crow Lane. Nash Boulevard is located near Myrtle Beach State Park. Fred Nash was a local businessman who together with his wife, Agnes, opened Fred Nash’s Grill near Springmaid Beach in 1947. The two also built and ran Nash’s Rooms and Apartments in the same area in the ’50s; they lived near Myrtle Beach State Park. On August 18, 1958, a T-33 aircraft was returning to the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base when something went terribly awry. The plane hit the State Park Pier, and had a crash-landing just outside of Fred’s house. Fred was home at the time, and ran over to the burning plane. A pilot was trapped inside, and Fred single-handedly pulled him out and to safety. He extinguished the flames on the pilot’s clothes and burning body, and sustained 3rd degree burns on his hands as a result. He was 71 years-old when he saved the life of the pilot. The United States Air Force showed their gratitude and recognized is heroism by presenting him with an Exceptional Service Award in Recognition of Distinguished Patriotic Service. Fred Nash loved to fish in the ocean, especially with his family, and was always helpful to people in his community. After he passed, his sons dedicated an artificial reef to their father, to honor his memory. The artificial reef is a mass of concrete, which is placed at certain locations in the ocean as a way to attract more marine life and learn more about ocean ecology. Fish will congregate around any substance in the ocean— thus artificial reefs create more opportunities for fishing and are a great way to help fishermen in the area. Myrtle Beach’s miles of sandy bottoms, devoid of any hiding holes that fish like to find, makes artificial reefs important for fishermen. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources helped to implement the 400-yard diameter reef in 2016. It is called Pop Nash Reef and is located 6 miles straight offshore of the Surfside Pier in Surfside Beach. Friends and family members gathered for a dedication ceremony, and scattered yellow roses at the site of the new reef— now an additional place near the Market Common that salutes the legacy of this local hero.

Vice Commander of the 354th at Myrtle Beach, American Ace in WWII by Melissa LaScaleia Kruzel Street, in the Market Common, is located between Farrow Parkway and Pampas Drive, running roughly parallel with both. It begins, or ends depending on your perspective, at Howard Avenue and Shine Avenue, connecting the two. Kruzel Street was named to honor of the valor of Major General Joseph J. Kruzel, who was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1918.  In 1938, he graduated with a BS in chemistry from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. In May 1940, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, completed flying training, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in December of that same year. World War II was underway, and Joseph was stationed at Nichols Field, Manila, in the Philippines. He flew P-40 aircraft as a combat fighter in Australia, Java, and the Philippines. During this time, he logged 175 combat hours, and shot down a Japanese Zero fighter plane. He was in the Philippines when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the Philippine Islands. In 1943, he returned to the U.S. and became squadron commander of the 361st Fighter Group in Richmond, Virginia. Later that year, he and his group went to England to fight against the Germans.  During this time, he logged 325 combat hours, flying P-47 and P-51 aircraft. He brought down three German ME-109s and one FW-190 aircraft, earning him the accolade of American ace. He was eventually promoted to general, and in 1945 was appointed deputy base commander for a P-47 combat crew training school in North Carolina. He also completed an asiatic studies course at Yale University.  In 1946, he was stationed in Seoul, Korea; in 1947, he served in Tokyo, Japan. Then he completed another tour of duty in the Philippine Islands. In 1949, he was back in the United States where he attended Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, as well as Air War College. He graduated in 1954, and stayed on at the Air War College as staff until 1957. In June, he was appointed chief of the war plans division for the U.S. Air Force Headquarters in Europe, at Wiesbaden, Germany. He also served as chief of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe, in Paris. In 1960, he returned to the U.S., attended National War College, and was assigned as Vice Commander of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. He became full commander in 1963. His last assignment before retiring in 1970 as a major general, was as deputy director of operations to the U.S. Air Force Headquarters. Joseph Kruzel married after college, and had four children. His namesake, Joseph John, followed in his footsteps with a military career, eventually becoming a U.S. diplomat. His son and two other diplomats were killed on a diplomatic mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1995. The road washed out from under their vehicle and the car was swept down a mountain cliff before catching fire and exploding. Major General Joseph J. Kruzel died at home, in Florida, on July 9, 2002. His military decorations include: the Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters; Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster; Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters; and the Bronze Star Medal.

Air Force Cross Medal Recipient by Melissa LaScaleia There is no street in the Market Common named after Air Force veteran Lieutenant Colonel Colin Arnold “Arnie” Clarke, but there is a plaque which commemorates his service to our country and his many military accomplishments. Colin Arnold Clarke was born in Seattle, Washington on August 31, 1935. He had a long and illustrious military career.  As a young man, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve and received training as an electronics technician. Thereafter, he attended the University of Washington and graduated in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He left the Navy to join the U.S. Air Force. On August 9, 1960, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. The following year, he completed pilot training and was awarded his pilot wings at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona; he also completed F-100 Super Sabre Combat Crew Training.  Arnie served two terms in the Vietnam War with this squadron, where he flew a total of 27 combat missions: the first from December 1962-February 1963, the second from August 1964-February 1965. On August 18, 1964, he was shot down and subsequently rescued. Arnie was promoted to captain and then transferred to Wethersfield, England to the Royal Air Force. He was sent again to Vietnam, and between July 1968 and July 1969, he flew a total of 285 combat missions using the F-100, O-1 Bird Dog, OV-10 Bronco, OH-6 Cayuse, and F-4J Phantom II fighter aircraft. He was shot down on January 22, 1969, and again rescued.  Arnie was promoted to the rank of major, and served as an Air Liaison Officer at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After completing A-7 Corsair II Combat Crew Training, he was stationed at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base with the 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing. He was stationed here from May 1971 to March 1974. From 1972-1973, he deployed for the fourth time to Southeast Asia and flew 73 combat missions from Thailand as an A-7 Sandy pilot.  He acted as On-Scene Commander for search and rescue operations over North Vietnam, and received the Air Force Cross from the President of the United States for his valor on one particular mission. He is commemorated such:  “Clarke directed an extremely complex mission that resulted in the successful recovery of two downed airmen despite adverse weather, mountainous terrain, and intense hostile ground fire. Disregarding these hazards, his own safety, and battle damage to his aircraft, he personally guided the rescue helicopter to the survivors’ location, suppressed hostile defenses, and continued to direct rescue efforts even though he sustained additional damage to his aircraft. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Major Clarke reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.” Arnie moved his way up the ranks of the military to become a lieutenant colonel, and retired on August 1, 1981. He managed Pangborn Memorial Airport in East Wenatchee, Washington, for many years after retirement. He died on December 13, 2010, and is buried at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. 

by Melissa LaScaleia Phillis Boulevard is one of the streets that borders the Properties at the Market Common Real Estate Office and the Insider offices. It is off of Farrow Parkway in the Market Common, and leads to the General Aviation Terminal for private planes coming to and from Myrtle Beach. Phillis Boulevard is named in honor of Captain Stephen R. Phillis, who died in military service when he was 31 years old.  Stephen (Steve) Phillis was born on May 17, 1960. He grew up in Rock Island, Illinois, the eldest of five children. He graduated from Rock Island Alleman High School in Illinois, then the United States Air Force Academy in 1982. Phillis was a top graduate of his Fighter Weapons School class, and trained to fly the A-10 fighter craft, a plane nicknamed by the military, the “Warthog.” Captain Phillis was stationed at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, and was part of the 353rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 354th Tactical Fighter Wing. He was deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1990 to support the United States in operation Desert Storm. On February 15, 1991, Captain Phillis and his wingman Rob were sent on a mission to Iraq to bomb the enemy, 80 miles further than any A-10s had gone previously. After completing their mission, the two were flying back to the Saudi border when Rob’s plane was hit by a missile from enemy fire. One engine of the plane was damaged, and his plane was becoming difficult to control. He radioed Phillis his intent to eject, then did. Phillis turned his plane back to try to determine his wingman’s exact location so a search could be conducted with greater precision and immediacy. Heading back towards Iraq, he was hit by enemy fire so intense he had no time to eject. He perished in the crash. As both soldiers were initially MIA, it took several months before the details of the story were fully known. Rob survived and was rescued by American troops. Captain Phillis’ body was recovered. He is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois. Captain Phillis was known by his colleagues, friends and family as brave and loyal. He was dedicated to flying, and a man for whom it was natural to risk his life to preserve that of his wingman’s. Captain Phillis’ awards include the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, the Air Medal with three oak-leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. To read more of our history features click here. 

by Melissa LaScaleia Baldwin Lane is a short street in the Market Common that turns into Shine Avenue and runs parallel with Pampas Drive. It intersects with Mallard Lake Drive, the road that leads to the Barc Park South, dog park. Baldwin Lane is named after Major General Charles Baldwin, who was also a chaplain with the United States Air Force. Charles’ professional studies and career have taken him all over the world— to Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany, Texas, California, Thailand, and Washington, D.C., just to name a few. Charles Cread Baldwin was born on April 7, 1947, and grew up in New Haven, Connecticut. He graduated with a B.S. from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1969. He was assigned as an EC-121 pilot, then sent to helicopter pilot training in Fort Rucker, Alabama. He served in the Vietnam War, where he was an HH-53 rescue helicopter pilot in South Vietnam. In the mid ’70s, he returned to the United States and life as a civilian for a short time. He attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he received his master’s degree in divinity, and became a minister. When he returned to the military in 1979, it was as a Protestant chaplain. He also completed Air Command and Staff College, as well as Air War College. Some of his assignments as chaplain included posts in Decimomannu Air Base, Italy; senior Protestant chaplain for the U.S. Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Office of the Command Chaplain for the U.S. Air Force European Headquarters in Ramstein, Germany. Baldwin also served as the senior chaplain for the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base from June 1989 – June 1992. During his tenure in Myrtle Beach, he accompanied the soldiers of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing to Saudi Arabia, on their Desert Storm deployment. Baldwin became Deputy Chief of the Air Force Chaplain Service in 2001, and was stationed in Washington, D.C. In 2004, he became the Air Force Chief of Chaplains, also in Washington, and earned the rank of Major General. As the Chief of Chaplains, he offered advice about moral, ethical, and religious issues that pertained to all members of the Air Force. He was the senior pastor for over 700,000 servicemen and women in the United States and abroad, and led chaplain services for the Air Force’s 2,200 chaplains. He also acted as one of the advisors on religious, ethical and moral issues for the Secretary of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff. Baldwin has received numerous medals and awards to commemorate his service and achievements including: the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster; the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster; Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device and oak leaf cluster; Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars; Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Kuwait Liberation Medal; and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Charles Baldwin retired from the military in 2008.  To read more of our history features click here. 

Above, Buddy Styers enjoys the fruits of his labor in front of the sign announcing the entrance to the Market Common. “People still tell me how proud they are of what I’ve accomplished, but I don’t feel that I did it, as much as I feel that I was a part of it. We had an amazing team.” — Col. Buddy Styers This story is the last of a 7-part series which chronicles the redevelopment of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and its evolution into the Market Common from the perspective of retired Air Force Colonel Buddy Styers, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. Our history concludes with a Q & A with Colonel Styers. Click here to read Part 6, in the March 2017 issue.  The Redevelopment Years of The Market Common By Melissa LaScaleia Insider: How has being involved with the redevelopment of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base changed your life? Colonel Styers: My military background prepared me to manage people, complex organizations and large budgets, but I had never been the senior leader of a development project like this; I stretched myself to accomplish it. Insider: Has your involvement with this redevelopment project changed the way you regard the military? Colonel Styers: It’s certainly opened my eyes to the complexity and difficulty of their tasks when they are trying to juggle so many responsibilities while meeting goals. They were responsible for the closure of many bases, yet they extended themselves repeatedly to make sure that not only we, but that all the other bases as well, were successful in transitioning, and continued to maintain the base while we were in the redevelopment stages. Insider: Were there any laws/regulations that made your job more challenging?  Colonel Styers: In many cases, yes. We were not allowed just to design and put together what we wanted. But the key was in learning what the laws were, and then developing our project accordingly. It was the most difficult for Dan McCaffery, the developer. He knew what he wanted to do that he felt was vital to the success of the urban village, but the local government didn’t allow it. The most challenging issue for all of us to get through, including the Market Common businesses, was the sign ordinance. A lot of businesses wanted to have more than one sign, but Myrtle Beach is very strict and mandates that you can only have one, and it has to be on your property. Insider: Were there any laws/regulations that helped or enhanced your work? Colonel Styers: There are rules about the amount of storm water retention capability you have to have to prevent flooding in the event of a large storm. We had to build a 21-acre lake across the street from the commercial district, as well as four smaller ponds in the surrounding area to store the runoff. Now, the lake has become one of the most popular places in the Market Common. Insider: What was it like to work with Dan McCaffery? Colonel Styers: Dan has a lot of experience and a track record of success with large-scale commercial development and redevelopment projects. Even though he was only here once a month, it was a fantastic opportunity to work closely with him on the redevelopment, and then for a two-year period as the senior project manager for the Market Common. He’s honest, and was sure of his vision of what he wanted the area to look like to become an integral part of Horry County. He was confident that he was developing something that could meet those goals. Insider: What words of wisdom do you have for us in the Market Common who want to support this beautiful community that we live and work in? Colonel Styers: Continue to build and bring businesses where there are vacancies to further establish the urban village that the community said they wanted. Remain flexible in the face of change. Support the activities that are offered. If we all do those things, it has nowhere to go but up, and better. Insider: Looking back on your life, are you pleased with your accomplishments? Colonel Styers: Absolutely. And I couldn’t say it any stronger. I was successful with my military career before I retired, having been recently promoted to colonel, and then base commander. I felt proud of that. Working on the redevelopment of the Air Force base, and seeing it through to fruition… It was a dream come true, to have two opportunities like that in one lifetime. Insider: If you could advise one thing about building community what would it be? Colonel Styers: You have to go with the flow. That and establish friendly working relationships with people you have to have on your side to get the job done. I worked the hardest at building those relationships and consequently I always felt like I had the opportunity to ask for what I needed. Even if I didn’t always get what I asked for, I always felt like they were with me, supporting my work. Insider: What do you think made you personally capable of doing what you did? Colonel Styers: Even in the Air Force I have always been taught to respect people and treat them like you like to be treated yourself. My strongest attribute is being able to work with people and motivate them to want to do the job that they’ve been hired to do. I think that’s one of the most important qualities of being a leader or manager. You have to be able to make people want to work, and for them to feel like a success when they do it. Insider: Any last words for us? Colonel Styers: I’m complimenting you, Melissa, for your ability to listen consistently to my rambling and produce a story out of it. And I’d like to thank the whole community for supporting us and helping us, as much as they were able, … Read more

USAF Pilot, Vietnam War Veteran by Melissa LaScaleia Shine Avenue is named in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shine, a pilot in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. The avenue meanders around the periphery of the Market Common, intersecting with Farrow Parkway.  Anthony Shine was born on May 20, 1939 to a military family. His father, George, retired from the Air Force as a colonel, and all three of their sons and one daughter joined the military.  Anthony joined the United States Air Force from Pleasantville, New York. He served two terms in Vietnam, the first in 1970. Most of what we know about his life is due to interviews with his daughter, Colleen. He was stationed with his family at an Air Force base along the Pacific Ocean before he was stationed at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. His daughter and family enjoyed the lull of Myrtle Beach, compared to the massive typhoons that characterize the part of the Pacific Basin from whence they came.  In Myrtle Beach, the family lived several blocks south of Garden City Pier, and enjoyed jeep rides along the quiet shores. They would also entertain their squadron with Olympic-themed beach parties in their sandy backyard. Anthony Shine left for his second tour of Vietnam from the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in 1972. On December 2, he was flying an A-7D fighter aircraft on a reconnaissance mission near the Barthelemy Pass in North Vietnam near the border of Laos. He radioed his wingman to say that he was descending below cloud cover for a closer look at their target area. After ten minutes, his wingman radioed him, and received no response. His plane seemingly disappeared in the clouds. The passes through these mountains were dangerous. The area was rife with Vietnamese fighters. Bombings and missile fire were common; many planes were shot down here. In addition, the terrain was so rugged as to be almost impassable. Of the many Americans who went missing in this area, few were found. The military searched for Anthony for three days, but found nothing. He was reported as Missing In Action. There were reports of a crash site, but the government declared it had been heavily looted and there was, therefore, little hope of finding more information. Colleen, who was 8 years old at the time of her father’s disappearance, never gave up hope of finding him. In the ’90s, as an adult, she went to Vietnam searching for answers and closure. She hired a guide, and found a Vietnamese villager who had found a helmet near the site. When she looked inside, her father’s name was hand written on the inside. Colleen’s findings gave the government new leads to follow, and investigators were able to recover remnants of Anthony’s plane as well as his remains and confirm that it was indeed, he. Because of his daughter’s efforts, Anthony Shine was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery in 1996, offering his surviving family closure at long last. During the years he was MIA, Anthony was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and awarded The Purple Heart. To commemorate her husband, and remember those soldiers who remain missing in Vietnam, Anthony’s wife, Bonnie, founded the Anthony C. Shine Award, which is given each year to a fighter pilot who demonstrates proficiency and professionalism in flying a fighter aircraft. To read more of our history features click here. 

This story is part 6 of a 7-part series which chronicles the redevelopment of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and its evolution into the Market Common from the perspective of retired Air Force Colonel Buddy Styers, executive director of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. Our history continues where we left off with Part 5, in the February 2017 issue.  The Redevelopment Years of The Market Common by Melissa LaScaleia Plant Construction was the general contractor working with Dan McCaffery to erect the buildings in the Market Common. Everything ran pretty smoothly in general, but there was one incident of interest. “Somehow, we built the building frontage into the city right-of-way by one foot,” Buddy Styers says. It wasn’t just one storefront that was encroaching on city public property, but the entire city block of Howard Avenue where Gordon Biersch is currently; the building extended onto public property by a mere few inches, which when added up, totaled about one square foot. And that foot mattered. “We couldn’t move the building,” Buddy says. “So we had to go back and negotiate with the city what to do. You can imagine the time that took. But once again, we worked it out; the city wasn’t unreasonable about it.” It would have cost more to demolish the building and move it back a foot, so the only solution was to pay the city for the piece of property and leave the building where it was. “We found out what the appraised value was of that one foot for that one block, and Dan McCaffery paid them for it,” Buddy says. (He apologizes that he can’t remember the cost, it was a long time ago.) The rest of the buildings went up without further ado. “The process was probably no different than any other general contractor building a project that big,” Buddy says. “We had good times, we had okay times, and we had not so good times. Buddy was still working with the city to finalize the water, sewer, and storm water retention system, and the Air Force still had a role because there were a few small pieces of contaminated property nearby that had to be contained safely. “At the same time, we were trying to solidify the retailers that were moving into the 300,000 square feet of tenant space we had available,” he adds. “A lot of time and negotiation went into the rental process, as we had to coordinate to make sure prospective tenants received the size and location they wanted. When you’re negotiating to get a tenant to move in, there’s a lot of give and take. They tell you what they want, you tell them what you can do, and you try to find a middle point to make them happy and get them to sign a long-term lease and move in.” The team had a full-scale model of what the finished Market Common would look like. It was about 6 or 7 feet in diameter, and the prospective tenants could look at the model and determine where they wanted to be. The developers built the Market Common according to plan— there was no custom design for tenants. “But the Barnes & Nobles building was designed specifically to draw that retailer into the Market Common,” Buddy says. “And P.F. Chang’s wouldn’t come unless there were horses in front. So we built horses. We did everything we could to make it possible for retailers to say, ‘We want to be a part of the Market Common.’” And today, their hard work has paid off because prospective retailers, homebuyers, and lease-signers are still thinking and saying those exact words. Another challenge in the early days was the number of retailers who tried to put signs on the sidewalk in front of their establishment. “One of the things people didn’t understand was that the sidewalk was public, not private property,” Buddy says. “You’ve seen how grocery stores like to put signs out on the sidewalk— but the city ordinance didn’t allow that. There are other developments where the sidewalks aren’t public, but that’s not the situation here. The city sign ordinance doesn’t allow a business to advertise on public property.” Which also explains why the signs at either end of Farrow Parkway that read, “The Market Common” in big letters, letting you know you’ve arrived, are located where they are— on private, rather than public property. “Trying to make all these moving parts, involving so many components that I’ve mentioned fit… determining the move-in date for some of the national firms like P.F. Chang’s, Orvis, Gordon Biersch, Barnes & Noble, and trying to get them to come together at the right time as we were trying to finish construction — it was a challenge,” says Buddy. “We made a concerted effort to make the former base an integral part of the city of Myrtle Beach. There are people today, who driving on the base property, wouldn’t know that it ever was a base, they would think it was a part of the city of Myrtle Beach. We were very successful in simply making this, Myrtle Beach.” “Not only that,” he adds, “we made all of the base property useful to meet the needs of the community; and that includes the airport, the parks and recreation areas, and the college. That was the goal going in, and so many times, attaining the goals you set is extremely difficult. But, with everyone’s cooperation— from the city, county, and Air Force— we were able to be successful in the redevelopment and reuse of the base property.” The Market Common’s Grand Opening was April 1, 2008. Click here to read the final article in the series on “The Redevelopment Years of The Market Common.”