Clark Field (1887)

Clark Field, established in 1887, was initially a United States Army cavalry post located in the Philippines. Situated in the province of Pampanga, on the island of Luzon, it evolved from a small outpost into a significant American military airbase. Its original purpose was to secure the area and maintain order following the Spanish-American War and the subsequent Philippine-American War. The post was named in honor of John Milton Clark, a cavalry officer who served during the Philippine-American War. Over time, Clark Field grew to become a major airbase, playing a crucial role in World War II and the Vietnam War. The base was heavily damaged by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, leading to its eventual abandonment by the U.S. military. Today, the area is now known as Clark Freeport Zone and Clark International Airport, a commercial and economic hub.