Will Rogers World Airport Airlines carries the most passengers at Will Rogers World Airport, with a market share of over 35%. The airport first opened in 1911 as Oklahoma City Municipal Airfield. It was renamed in Rogers' honor in 1941. During World War II Will Rogers Field was a major training facility for the United States Army Air Forces; many fighter and bomber units were activated and received initial training there. The December 1951 C&GS chart shows 5497-ft runway 3, 3801-ft runway 8, 5652-ft runway 12 and 5100-ft runway 17. The April 1957 OAG showed 21 daily non-stop departures on Braniff International Airways, 15
Will Rogers Jr. Will Rogers Jr. William Vann Rogers, generally known as Will Rogers Jr. (October 20, 1911 – July 9, 1993), was a son of legendary humorist Will Rogers (1879–1935) and his wife, the former Betty Blake (1879–1944). He was a Democratic U. S. Representative from California from January 3, 1943, until May 23, 1944, when he resigned to return to the United States Army. Rogers had several other careers, notably as a newspaper owner/publisher, actor, writer, and political commentator. Rogers was born in New York City, where his father was performing. He grew up in Beverly Hills, California, and attended school