the base was named in honor of first lieutenant remington de bremont vernam (march 24, 1896 – december 1, 1918), an american pilot who entered the french air service during world war i. vernam was shot down behind german lines on october 30, 1918. after the armistice he was found by american forces in a hospital in longwey, france, with another wounded aviator, lt. arthur c. dineen. vernam died of his wounds on december 1. he is buried in the american cemetery at st. mihiel in thiaucourt, france, and was posthumously awarded the distinguished service cross (united states).