In 1917 it was called Flying Field Anacostia but renamed Bolling Field on July 1,1918. Colonel Raynal Bolling was the first high-ranking U.S. officer killed in WWI combat. On March 26, 1918 near Amiens, France Col. Bolling died defending himself and his driver from German soldiers. The field was used for personnel proficiency flying and supporting flights such as Colonel Henry “Hap” Arnold’s 1934 4,000 mile flight of bombers to Alaska. Aircraft P-26A 33-77 stationed at Bolling Field was struck off charge in May 1935.