Parked between the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean, Southern New Jersey, Naval Air Station (NAS) Wildwood began life on April 1, 1943, as a training facility for dive bomber squadrons scheduled to join the Pacific Theater. With the backdrop of the all-wood double wide hanger (Hanger #1) as the NAS’ main structure, thousands of pilots were trained between 1943-1945 in the art of night flying and target practice and peaked with 17,000 takeoffs and landings in one month (October 1944).

After the war, the facility was decommissioned, and Hanger #1 continued its service as home to a couple of airlines and airways operations until their demise. Sadly, years of neglect followed until Hanger #1 was rediscovered and restored to its original glory by Dr. Joseph Salvatore and his wife, Patricia Anne, and the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum (NASW Foundation) was founded in 1997.

So, as you peruse the numerous aircraft and other military memorabilia on display, it's a wonderful glimpse into the history of aviation, especially its role in World War II. Historically, Hanger #1 housing the collection is also a part of that journey.

We thank Dr. Salvatore and his wife for their vision to save a part of American history.

Note: Dr. Salvatore served in the Medical Corps with the United States Army during the Korean War.