This collection consists of one Polish Air Force pilot's certificate; one pilot grade certificate; one copy of LIFE Magazine, dated April 6, 1953, featuring an article by Jarecki on his flight; on copy of This Week Magazine for August 23, 1953, with Jarecki's flight as cover story; one photocopied article from the Erie Daily Times, September 30, 1985; one photograph of a meeting of businessmen in the White House's Oval Office that includes Jarecki; one photograph of Frank Jarecki, Francis S. Gabreski, and James H. Doolittle; and the front page of the New York Times, dated March 6, 1953, matted on cardboard.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of one Polish Air Force pilot's certificate; one pilot grade certificate; one copy of LIFE Magazine, dated April 6, 1953, featuring an article by Jarecki on his flight; on copy of This Week Magazine for August 23, 1953, with Jarecki's flight as cover story; one photocopied article from the Erie Daily Times, September 30, 1985; one photograph of a meeting of businessmen in the White House's Oval Office that includes Jarecki; one photograph of Frank Jarecki, Francis S. Gabreski, and James H. Doolittle; and the front page of the New York Times, dated March 6, 1953, matted on cardboard. Note: The digital images in this finding aid were repurposed from scans made by an outside contractor for a commercial product and may show irregular cropping and orientation in addition to color variations resulting from damage to and deterioration of the original objects.
Arrangement:
The Franciszek Jarecki MiG-15 Flight Collection is arranged by content type.
Biographical / Historical:
Franciszek (Frank) Jarecki graduated from the Polish Air Force College at Deblin, Poland, in 1952 and in September of that year was transferred to the 10th Fighter Regiment based at Stolp. On March 5, 1953, on the day of Joseph Stalin's death, Jarecki flew his Mikoyan & Gurevich MiG-15 from the Polish air base to land at Roenne airport in Bornholm, Denmark, to seek political asylum in the United States. It was the first intact MiG-15 to reach the West. Franciszek Jarecki studied English at Alliance College in Pennsylvania, opened his own machine shop and then went on to establish Jarecki Industries and acquire several other businesses.
Provenance:
Franciszek Jarecki, Gift, 2002
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
