Search Results

Creator:

Hardesty, Von, 1939-  Search this

Names:

Sikorsky, Igor Ivan, 1889-1972  Search this

Extent:

26 Linear feet

30.81 Cubic feet (53 legal-size document boxes, 1 slim legal-size document box, 1 flat box )

26 Linear feet

30.81 Cubic feet (53 legal-size document boxes, 1 slim legal-size document box, 1 flat box )

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Newspapers

Reports

Articles

Place:

Soviet Union

Date:

1876-2006

1876-2006

Summary:

The Russian Aeronautical Collection is a mix of technical, historical, and cultural reference materials, including originals or copies of articles, documents and other historical materials relating to Russian and Soviet aviation from the Tsarist period through the Soviet era. The collection focuses on key events, personalities and aircraft designs, and certain subject areas are covered in depth, including the life and career of Igor Sikorsky, the transpolar flights of the 1930s, Soviet aviation in the Spanish Civil War, and the operational history of the Soviet Air Force in World War II.

Scope and Contents:

This collection contains newspaper clippings, articles, pamphlets/booklets, magazines/journals, reports, monographs, manuscripts, bibliographies and a few photographs.

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:

This collection was arranged by the creator first by what chronological era the subject matter dealt with, then alphabetically within each era by file unit title. Von Hardesty also created a grouping of materials that deals with aircraft design and designers and another grouping that contains reference material. Groupings and materials are in the order that the processing archivist received them which also correspondes to the guide that Von Hardesty created.

The processing archivist added the last 2 series which covers materials that were not listed in the original guide to the collection.

There are 8 series:

Series I: 1885-1917

Series II: 1918-1940

Series III: 1941-1945

Series IV: 1946-Onwards

Series V: Design

Series VI: Reference

Series VII: Loose Materials

Series VIII: Administrative Material

Biographical / Historical:

The Russian Aeronautical Collection (RAC) was assembled over the course of two decades by Von Hardesty, curator in the Aeronautics Division of the National Air and Space Museum. The RAC developed as a research project linked to the publication of Hardesty's book Red Phoenix: The Rise of Soviet Air Power, 1941 -1945 (first published in 1982.)

Provenance:

Aeronautics Division / Von Hardesty, Transfer, 2006

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.

Topic:

Aeronautics -- Russia  Search this

Endurance flights  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

Air pilots  Search this

Genre/Form:

Newspapers

Reports

Articles

Citation:

Russian Aeronautical Collection, ACC. 2006-0034, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.2006.0034

See more items in:

Russian Aeronautical Collection

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-2006-0034

Names:

Pan American World Airways, Inc.  Search this

United States. War Dept.  Search this

Extent:

0.45 Cubic feet ((1 legal document box))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Publications

Place:

Africa, Central

Date:

1941-1942

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of four volumes of 'Survey of Central African Seaports and Air Routes.' The volumes include photographs, charts, and pages of text, gathered during 139 days of travel covering approximately 16,000 miles through Central Africa. The purpose of the survey was to assist the Departments [War? or a department in Pan Am?] in determining what seaports, routes, and services of supply should be established to bring aircraft to the desired war areas most expeditiously, i.e., increase the flow of supplies to the British Eighth Army. At one point there was, according to the preface, a book of charts which was not transferred to NASM.

General:

NASMrev

Provenance:

National Museum of American History, Transfer, 1996, 1996-0043, unknown

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

Topic:

World War, 1939-1945 -- Equipment and supplies  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Africa  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Genre/Form:

Publications

Identifier:

NASM.1996.0043

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1996-0043

Creator:

Neely, Marvin Y.  Search this

Names:

Tinian Island Airbase  Search this

United States. Navy. Construction Battalions  Search this

Extent:

1 Cubic foot ((1 flatbox))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Scrapbooks

Photographs

Date:

1944-1945

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of a oversized scrapbook with a wooden cover which contains photographs of the construction of the bases on Tinian. The following Tinian construction sites/projects are covered: general aerial and ground images of Tinian; the waterfront; tank farms; water supply; army camps; bomb dumps; airfields; road construction; and hospitals. There are also an additional thirty-five loose prints on the following subjects: Tinian airfields; aerial photographs (not of Tinian); invasion of the Marianas, including Japanese aircraft and pilots; and Boeing B-29s and nose art on Tinian.

Biographical / Historical:

Comdr. Marvin Y. Neeley was an engineer with the Seabees during World War II. Neely belonged to the Brigade 6, Twenty-Ninth Naval Construction Regiment, and he was involved with the construction of the bases on Tinian.

General:

NASMrev

Provenance:

Mark H. Neely, gift, 1995, 1995-0049, unknown

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

Topic:

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

Airplanes, Military -- Decoration  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Ocean  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

Boeing B-29 Superfortress  Search this

Genre/Form:

Scrapbooks

Photographs

Identifier:

NASM.1995.0049

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1995-0049

Creator:

Leslie, Maxwell Franklin, 1902-1984  Search this

Names:

Yorktown (Aircraft carrier, CV-10)  Search this

Leslie, Maxwell Franklin, 1902-1984  Search this

Extent:

3.27 Cubic feet ((3 records center boxes) (1 20x24x3 flatbox))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Photographs

Correspondence

Publications

Clippings

Manuscripts

Date:

1922-1977

Scope and Contents:

This collection contains information about Admiral Leslie from the years 1922-1977, covering his Navy career and including the World War II years and his part in the Battle of Midway. The collection contains the following types of material: official Navy documents, letters from researchers who sought information on the Battle of Midway, personal papers, newspaper clippings, a magazine article with general information on the Battle of Midway and post-War publications. The collection also contains numerous photographs but none pertaining to the Battle of Midway. Most of the photographs are not labeled and show base life, including many of base athletic teams, mostly baseball.

Biographical / Historical:

Admiral Maxwell Franklin Leslie (1902-1984) attended the University of Washington before entering the US Naval Academy in 1922. He was commissioned Ensign in 1926, received flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in 1929 and was designated Naval Aviator in 1930. When the US entered World War II, he was Executive Officer of Bombing Squadron 3, based on the USS Saratoga. He later commanded that unit, operating from the USS Yorktown during the Battle of Midway. For extraordinary heroism there, he was awarded the Navy Cross. He also flew with his squadron operating from from the USS Enterprise while escorting the USS Hornet for the Doolittle raid on Tokyo, April 17, 1942. He continued to serve the Navy overseas during World War II and after the war spent the rest of his career on various ships and bases. He retired in 1956. In addition to the Navy Cross, he was presented the Bronze Star Medal with combat "V" and the Commendation Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation to the USS Enterprise, American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

General:

NASMrev

Provenance:

William N. Leslie, gift, 1986, 1987-0131, unknown

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

Topic:

World War, 1939-1945 -- Pacific Ocean  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Ocean  Search this

Naval aviation  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Air pilots  Search this

Midway, Battle of, 1942  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

Genre/Form:

Photographs

Correspondence

Publications

Clippings

Manuscripts

Identifier:

NASM.1987.0131

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1987-0131

Creator:

Brown, Leon D. "Bink"  Search this

Names:

United States. Army Air Forces. Bomb Group, 43rd  Search this

United States. Army Air Forces. Bomb Group, 90th  Search this

Levine, Lindy  Search this

Extent:

0.55 Cubic feet ((1 folder, 1 VHS tape))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Slides (photographs)

Photographs

Vhs (videotape format)

Place:

Clark Field (Philippines)

Subic Bay (Philippines)

Ie Shima (Japan)

Date:

1944-1945

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of 79 color slides taken during Leon Brown's time in the Pacific Theater in World War II. In addition to the slides there are also four color prints and a videotape. The videotape is a home recording of the slides being projected, with Brown narrating in the background. After the slide portion of videotape is a recording of a lunch discussion among Brown, his wife, World War II test engineer Lindy Levine and an unidentified individual. The slide images consist of photographs of and taken by Brown and include various subjects including the B-32 Dominator and B-24 Liberator, and captured Japanese aircraft such as the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden. Also included are images of the 90th Bomb Group the "Jolly Rogers," and the 43rd Bomb Group B-24 Liberators "The Dragon and His Tail" and "It Ain't So Funny." Photographs were taken in Australia, Ie Shima during the Japanese surrender, New Guinea, and Subic Bay and Clark Field in the Philippines.

Biographical / Historical:

Leon D. "Bink" Brown spent 35 years as an aeronautical engineer working on various projects, including the Consolidated B-24 Liberator and the Atlas missiIe project with General Dynamics. He spent the last 18 months of World War II as a Technical Representative for Consolidated on the B-24, training pilots throughout the Pacific Theater on mockup systems. During those 18 months he spent time in the Philippines and Australia and was in Okinawa during the Japanese surrender.

Provenance:

Leon Brown, 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

Topic:

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Pacific Ocean  Search this

Consolidated B-24 Family  Search this

Consolidated B-32 Terminator, Dominator  Search this

Mitsubishi J2M Raiden "Jack"  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Genre/Form:

Slides (photographs)

Photographs

VHS (videotape format)

Citation:

Fifth Air Force Color Slides [Leon D. Brown], Accession 2002-0029, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.2002.0029

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-2002-0029

Interviewee:

Roth, Moira  Search this

Interviewer:

Heinemann, Sue  Search this

Creator:

Elizabeth Murray Oral History of Women in the Visual Arts Project  Search this

Names:

Elizabeth Murray Oral History of Women in the Visual Arts Project  Search this

London School of Economics and Political Science -- Students  Search this

University of California, Berkeley -- Students  Search this

University of Vienna -- Students  Search this

Women's Caucus for Art  Search this

Antin, Eleanor  Search this

Baca, Judith Francisca  Search this

Bernardi, Claudia  Search this

Chadwick, Whitney  Search this

Chicago, Judy, 1939-  Search this

Duchamp, Marcel, 1887-1968  Search this

Jacob, Mary Jane  Search this

Kaprow, Allan  Search this

Kozloff, Joyce  Search this

Lacy, Suzanne  Search this

Lippard, Lucy R.  Search this

Machida, Margo  Search this

Nochlin, Linda  Search this

Ringgold, Faith  Search this

Schapiro, Miriam, 1923-2015  Search this

Selz, Peter Howard, 1919-2019  Search this

Stevens, May  Search this

Extent:

5 Items (Sound recording, master: 5 memory cards (6 hr., 9 min.), secure digital, 1.25 in)

81 Pages (Transcript)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Pages

Sound recordings

Interviews

Place:

Cornwall (England : County) -- Description and Travel

Europe -- description and travel

Date:

2011 April 22-24

Scope and Contents:

An interview of Moira Roth conducted 2011 April 22- 24, by Sue Heinemann, for the Archives of American Art's Elizabeth Murray Oral History Project, at Roth's home, in Berkeley, California.

Roth discusses her childhood and family background; her "unconventional" mother attending the London School of Economics; her "romantic childhood" growing up in Cornwall, England; her family's move to Letchworth for her to attend St. Christopher, a Montessori school; taking in evacuees from London during the Battle of Britain in 1940; childhood colored with European culture, Jewish culture, and music; at 17 moving from England to Washington, D.C., to live with her Irish father who was working for the International Monetary Fund; her early "passion for travelling"; moving to New York City in 1952; meeting John Cage; her autobiographical writings; travels in Europe; studies at the University of Vienna and the London School of Economics; deciding to be a psychiatric social worker; majoring in sociology with a minor in art history; attending graduate school in art history; her interest in Duchamp; doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley; interviewing artists; her marriage to Bill Roth; teaching; early publications; performances at the Woman's Building in the late 1970s; editing the book "The Amazing Decade: Women & Performance Art in America, 1970-1980" (1983); traveling with Faith Ringgold; friendships with Linda Nochlin, May Stevens, Lucy Lippard and others; experimental theater; her interest in Noh theater; the Women's Caucus for Art at CAA; The Poor Farm contemporary art space; living in the Bay Area; "rethinking feminism in terms of Asian-American Women"; globalism; the fictional character she created, Rachel Marker; and other topics. She recalls Joyce Kozloff, Miriam Schapiro, Judy Chicago, Judy Baca, Claudia Bernardi, Eleanor Antin, Margo Machida, Mary Jane Jacob, Annika Marie, Whitney Chadwick, Suzanne Lacy, Allan Kaprow, Peter Selz, and others.

Biographical / Historical:

Moira Roth (1933- ) is an art historian and writer in Berkeley, California.

Provenance:

This interview is part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and administrators.

Restrictions:

Transcript available on the Archives of American Art website.

Occupation:

Art historians -- California -- Interviews  Search this

Authors -- California -- Berkeley  Search this

Topic:

Art -- History -- Study and teaching  Search this

Asian American women  Search this

Britain, Battle of, Great Britain, 1940  Search this

Experimental theater  Search this

Feminism and art  Search this

Nō  Search this

Sociology -- Study and teaching  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Evacuation of civilians  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Refugees  Search this

Genre/Form:

Sound recordings

Interviews

Sponsor:

This interview is part of the Elizabeth Murray Oral History of Women in the Visual Arts Project, funded by the A G Foundation.

Identifier:

AAA.roth11

Archival Repository:

Archives of American Art

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-aaa-roth11

Creator:

Short, John Marshall, 1913-  Search this

Names:

Majors Field, Texas  Search this

Skelton, Red, 1913-1997  Search this

Extent:

0.05 Cubic feet ((1 folder))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Photographs

Date:

[ca. 1940s]

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of 42 photographs of training and service life at Majors Field, Texas, and later in the Philippines. Included are images of Vultee BT-13As, Bell P-39Ns, and Martin B-26Cs, as well as shots of personnel and base life. There are also a few images of Red Skelton doing a comic routine at Majors Field.

Biographical / Historical:

John Marshall Short (1913- ) who was a member of the Majors Field Photographic Laboratory personnel during World War II. Originally, Majors Field was a basic training school using BT-13As. Later, the base would expand as an advanced training center using P-47 Thunderbolts for training.

General:

NASMrev

Provenance:

Pam Struss, Gift, 2001, 2002-0005, unknown

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

Topic:

Flight training  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Vultee BT-13A Valiant  Search this

Bell P-39 Airacobra Family  Search this

Bell P-39N Airacobra  Search this

Martin B-26C Marauder (Model 179C)  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

Martin B-26 Marauder Family  Search this

Genre/Form:

Photographs

Identifier:

NASM.2002.0005

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-2002-0005

Creator:

Schoenfeld, Maxwell Philip, 1936-  Search this

Names:

United States. Army Air Forces  Search this

Schoenfeld, Maxwell Philip, 1936-  Search this

Extent:

9.81 Cubic feet ((9 records center boxes))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Minutes

Reports

Correspondence

Date:

1940-1944

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of copies of formerly classified reports, minutes and correspondence gathered by Max Schoenfeld for his research. This collection also contains some secondary source material copied from books. There is no original material in this collection, only copies.

Biographical / Historical:

Max Schoenfeld was the author of the book entitled, Stalking the U-boat: USAAF Offensive Antisubmarine Operations in World War II. This book, published in 1995 by the Smithsonian Press as part of the Smithsonian History of Aviation series, recounts the story of the United States Army Air Forces' antisubmarine operations against German U-boats during the crisis of the Battle of the Atlantic in late 1942 and 1943.

General:

The book "Stalking the U-boat: USAAF Offensive Antisubmarine Operations in World War II" is available in the National Air and Space Museum Branch Library.

NASMrev

Provenance:

Larry Lynch, Gift, 2000, 2000-0062, unknown

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

Topic:

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations, American -- North Atlantic  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Antisubmarine aircraft  Search this

Genre/Form:

Minutes

Reports

Correspondence

Identifier:

NASM.2000.0062

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-2000-0062

Creator:

Staley, George E.  Search this

Names:

Bendix Aviation Corp  Search this

Tinian Island Airbase  Search this

United States. Army Air Forces. 509th Composite Group  Search this

Staley, George E.  Search this

Tibbets, Paul  Search this

Extent:

0.01 Cubic feet ((1 folder))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Color slides

Date:

1945

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of the 22 color slides taken by Staley during his stay in Tinian. The images are of Tinian and units stationed there, including aircraft of the 509th Composite Group, the 6th Bomb Group, and the 504th Bomb Group. A few slides show 'Enola Gay' and her crew (with Colonel Paul Tibbets), and scenes of men celebrating the 'Enola Gay's' successful flight. Several slides show B-29 nose art and nicknames: 'Full House', 'The B.A. Bird', 'Doc's Deadly Dose', 'Cox's Army', 'The Ernie Pyle', 'The Herd of Bald Goats', 'The Spirit of Sammy', 'Snugglebunny', 'Earthquake McGoon', and 'Flak Alley'.

Biographical / Historical:

During World War II, George E. Staley worked for Bendix as a technical representative for their fuel injection system which was used in Boeing B-29 Superfortresses. In 1945 Staley was sent to Tinian for seven months, during which time the 'Enola Gay' made her historic flight.

General:

NASMrev

Provenance:

George E. Staley, Gift, 1996, 1996-0014, NASM

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

Topic:

Airplanes, Military -- Decoration  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Ocean  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

Airplanes -- Motors  Search this

Airplanes  Search this

Boeing B-29 Superfortress  Search this

Genre/Form:

Color slides

Identifier:

NASM.1996.0014

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1996-0014

Creator:

Haydu, Bernice Falk  Search this

Names:

Avenger Field -- Sweetwater, TX  Search this

United States. Army Air Forces  Search this

United States. Army. Air Corps  Search this

Women Airforce Service Pilots (U.S.)  Search this

Cochran, Jacqueline  Search this

Haydu, Bernice Falk  Search this

Extent:

0.23 Cubic feet ((1 flatbox) (1 slim legal document box))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Songbooks

Photographs

Date:

1942-1944

Summary:

This collection, compiled by Bernice Falk Haydu, a former WASP 44-7, contains original photographs, photocopies of photographs, class rosters, graduation data, copies of certification, a WASP songbook, an original Miss Fifinella color sketch by Walt Disney, and other related material. The photographs are all captioned with information from Mrs. Cliff Deaton, Chief Staff Executive Officer of the WASPs at Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas. The material has been grouped in a binder under the following subheadings: Avenger Field; Life on Base; Wishing Well: Flight Training School; Physical Education and Marching; Graduations; VIPs; and a Miscellaneous file.

Scope and Contents:

This collection compiled by Bernice Falk Haydu, a former WASP 44-7, contains original photographs, photocopies of photographs, class rosters, graduation data, copies of certification, a WASP songbook, an original Miss Fifinella color sketch by Walt Disney, and other related material. The photographs are all captioned with information from Mrs. Cliff Deaton, Chief Staff Executive Officer of the WASPs at Avenger Field, Sweetwater, TX. The material has been grouped in a binder under the following subheadings: Avenger Field; Life on Base; Wishing Well: Flight Training School; Physical Education and Marching; Graduations; VIPs; and a Miscellaneous file.

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 WASPs Binder: Pictures of Life and Training of the Women's Air Force Service Pilots Collection is arranged in its original order.

Biographical / Historical:

The WASPs (Women's Airforce Service Pilots) learned to fly US Army Air Corps aircraft during WWII. Jacqueline Cochran was director of the 1074 women who earned wings and flew 60 million miles for the US Army Air Corps between November 17, 1942 and December 7, 1944. From light aircraft, the WASPs advanced quickly to fly every air corps aircraft in use at the time. With the exception of aerial gunnery and formation flying, these women received the same training as the male pilots. WASPs ferried planes, towed targets, flew tracking, simulated bombing missions, performed radio control, flight tested aircraft, gave instrument instruction and performed many other duties. Their work allowed more men to participate in aviation combat roles.

General:

NASMrev

Provenance:

Bernice Falk Haydu, Gift, 1989, 1989-0123, NASM

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

Topic:

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

Women and the military  Search this

Women in aeronautics  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Miss Fifinella (Fictitious character)  Search this

Works of art  Search this

Genre/Form:

Songbooks

Photographs

Citation:

WASPs Binder: Pictures of Life and Training of the Women's Air Force Service Pilots, Acc. NASM.1989.0123####, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.1989.0123

See more items in:

WASPs Binder: Pictures of Life and Training of the Women's Air Force Service Pilots

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1989-0123

Creator:

Haydu, Bernice Falk  Search this

Names:

Avenger Field -- Sweetwater, TX  Search this

United States. Army Air Forces  Search this

United States. Army. Air Corps  Search this

Women Airforce Service Pilots (U.S.)  Search this

Cochran, Jacqueline  Search this

Haydu, Bernice Falk  Search this

Extent:

0.45 Cubic feet ((1 legal document box))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Rosters

Photographs

Songbooks

Newsletters

Date:

1944-1980

bulk 1944-1949

Scope and Contents:

This accession includes photographs, logos, newsletters, yearbooks, a WASP songbook, membership rosters, and several miscellaneous items.

Biographical / Historical:

The WASPs (Women's Airforce Service Pilots) learned to fly US Army Air Corps aircraft during WWII. Jacqueline Cochran was director of the 1074 women who earned wings and flew 60 million miles for the US Army Air Corps between November 17, 1942 and December 7, 1944. From light aircraft, the WASPs advanced quickly to fly every air corps aircraft in use at the time. With the exception of aerial gunnery and formation flying, these women received the same training as the male pilots. WASPs ferried planes, towed targets, flew tracking, simulated bombing missions, performed radio control, flight tested aircraft, gave instrument instruction and performed many other duties. Their work allowed more men to participate in aviation combat roles.

General:

NASMrev

Provenance:

Bernice Falk Haydu, Gift, 1987, 1987-0077, not NASM

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

Topic:

Miss Fifinella (Fictitious character)  Search this

Women and the military  Search this

Women in aeronautics  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Genre/Form:

Rosters

Photographs

Songbooks

Newsletters

Identifier:

NASM.1987.0077

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1987-0077

Author:

Mineev, N. F (Nikolaĭ Fedorovich)  Search this

IAlygin, M. I (Mikhail Ivanovich)  Search this

Physical description:

300 p., [8] leaves of plates : ill. ; 21 cm

Type:

Books

Place:

Saint Petersburg (Russia)

Date:

1978

Siege, 1941-1944

Topic:

World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, Russian  Search this

History  Search this

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_452236

Author:

Inozemtsev, I. G (Ivan Grigorʹevich)  Search this

Subject:

Soviet Union Raboche-Krestʹianskaia Krasnaia Armiia Vozdushnaia armiia, 13-ia  Search this

Physical description:

272 pages, 8 unnumbered leaves of plates : illustrations ; 21 cm

Type:

Books

History

Place:

Saint Petersburg (Russia)

Russia (Federation)

Saint Petersburg

Date:

1978

Siege, 1941-1944

Topic:

World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, Russian  Search this

Military operations, Aerial--Russian  Search this

History  Search this

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_452239

Interviewee:

Roth, Moira, 1933-  Search this

Interviewer:

Heinemann, Sue  Search this

Subject:

Antin, Eleanor  Search this

Baca, Judith Francisca  Search this

Bernardi, Claudia  Search this

Chadwick, Whitney  Search this

Chicago, Judy  Search this

Duchamp, Marcel  Search this

Jacob, Mary Jane  Search this

Kaprow, Allan  Search this

Kozloff, Joyce  Search this

Lacy, Suzanne  Search this

Lippard, Lucy R.  Search this

Machida, Margo  Search this

Nochlin, Linda  Search this

Ringgold, Faith  Search this

Schapiro, Miriam  Search this

Selz, Peter Howard  Search this

Stevens, May  Search this

Elizabeth Murray Oral History of Women in the Visual Arts Project  Search this

London School of Economics and Political Science  Search this

University of California, Berkeley  Search this

University of Vienna  Search this

Women's Caucus for Art  Search this

Type:

Sound recordings

Interviews

Place:

Cornwall (England : County) -- Description and travel

Europe -- description and travel

Topic:

Art -- History -- Study and teaching  Search this

Asian American women  Search this

Britain, Battle of, Great Britain, 1940  Search this

Experimental theater  Search this

Feminism and art  Search this

Nō  Search this

Sociology -- Study and teaching  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Evacuation of civilians  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Refugees  Search this

Record number:

(DSI-AAA_CollID)15938

(DSI-AAA_SIRISBib)300234

AAA_collcode_roth11

Theme:

Women

Data Source:

Archives of American Art

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:AAADCD_oh_300234

Creator:

Eisen, Irving  Search this

Names:

Heinkel (Aircraft manufacturer)  Search this

Junkers (Junkers Flugzeug Werke AG)  Search this

Extent:

0.05 Cubic feet ((1 folder))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Photographs

Date:

bulk 1940s

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of 67 black and white captured German photographs from a variety of sources that Eisen removed from the Air Document Research Center, as they were going to be discarded. The photographs include shots of World War II German aircraft from the following German companies: Dornier; Junkers; Heinkel; and Lippisch. There are also 14 snapshots taken by Eisen of captured German aircraft at Wright-Patterson AFB, a German code book issued to him for his translation work in England, and a Lockheed brochure.

Biographical / Historical:

Irving Eisen was in the U.S. Navy during World War II and because of his command of German, he was stationed at the Air Document Research Center in London, England where he worked on translations for captured German documents and photographs. After the war, he worked at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where captured German aircraft were held.

Provenance:

Donor Firstname Lastname, Gift, Year received

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

Topic:

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Genre/Form:

Photographs

Citation:

Captured German Aircraft Photographs (Eisen), Accession 2006-0038, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.2006.0038

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-2006-0038

Creator:

Henderson, John Stanley.  Search this

Names:

United States. Marine Corps  Search this

Extent:

0.95 Cubic feet ((2 boxes))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Photographic prints

Newspaper clippings

Telegrams

Technical manuals

Awards

Correspondence

Publications

Date:

bulk 1941-1952

Scope and Contents:

Included in this collection are photographs of John Stanley Henderson, fellow servicemen, and airfields; diary and notebooks; flight logs; award citations and military orders; newspaper clippings; a map of the Solomon Islands; phrase books in French and Japanese as well as the CBI Pointie Talkie; pocket guides to Egypt and Australia; The Marines Handbook, seventh edition; telegram relating the death of Major Henderson; Certificate of Death in Service; condolence letters; and Power of Attorney and Last Will and Testament.

Biographical / Historical:

Major John Stanley Henderson (?-1952) joined the US Marine Corps in 1941 and served two tours in the World War II Pacific Theater, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and four Air Medals. He served as a dive bomber pilot at Guadalcanal and a transport pilot on Guam. He was on active duty with the Marine Reserves as Executive Officer of the Marine Air Detachment at NAS Olathe, Kansas, at the time of his death at 33, killed while preparing for his departure to Korea.

Provenance:

Bryn Henderson, Gift, 2005

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

Topic:

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

Medals -- United States  Search this

Genre/Form:

Photographic prints

Newspaper clippings

Telegrams

Technical manuals -- 20th century

Awards

Correspondence

Publications

Citation:

Major John Stanley Henderson Collection, Accession number 2005-0015, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.2005.0015

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-2005-0015

Creator:

Davis, Benjamin O., Jr., 1912-  Search this

Names:

Air University (U.S.). Air War College  Search this

United States Military Academy  Search this

United States. Army Air Forces. 332nd Fighter Group  Search this

United States. Army Air Forces. 477th Bombardment Group  Search this

United States. Army Air Forces. 99th Fighter Squadron  Search this

Davis, Benjamin O., Jr., 1912-  Search this

Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994  Search this

Extent:

75.03 Cubic feet (168 boxes)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Photographs

Publications

Correspondence

Programs

Place:

Tuskegee Army Air Field (Ala.)

Date:

1928-1990

Summary:

This collection consists of 72 linear feet of the papers of Benjamin O. Davis. Included are the following types of material: programs, invitations, certificates, correspondence, published material, and photographs.

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of material gathered by General and Mrs. Davis over the course of their lives to 1993. The bulk of this collection consists of correspondence, newsclippings, and photographs relating to or received by the Davises, especially after General Davis retired from the Air Force. The collection is particularly rich in materials from the black press of the 1940s, documenting the response of the black community to the activities of the 99th Fighter Squadron and 332d Fighter Group during and after World War II, and contains a small amount of material related to the controversy surrounding the units' combat performance and the morale issues raised by the segregated society of the 1940s. Most of the remainder of the material from Davis' military career centers on his own activities. Davis' tenure as the Director of Public Safety in Cleveland coincides with the activities of the Black Panther movement and the term of Mayor Carl Stokes, Cleveland's first mayor of African descent; the newclippings and correspondence from this period highlight police activities and public reaction in this racially-polarized atmosphere. Much of the material from Davis' early tenure at the Department of Transportation deals with civil aviation security, initially to counter the hijacking wave of the early 1970s and later to reduce cargo theft. The material from his later years, particularly during his years as a consultant, deals primarily with attempts to reduce gasoline consumption, especially his work promoting the 55mph National Maximum Speed Limit. The largest blocks of material from Davis' private life relate to his tenure on the President's Commission on Campus Unrest (1970) and the President's Commission on Military Compensation (1977-1978); these contain, respectively, materials on student protests, including the shootings at Kent State, and on issues surrounding military pay and retirement. There is also a significant body of material relating to his association with Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. and his speaking tours to increase public knowledge of the role of black servicemen during World War II.

Materials of a personal nature, particularly correspondence between General and Mrs. Davis, were retained by the Davises and therefore do not figure in this collection. Most official documents relating to Davis' activities in the military or civil service are held by the United States National Archives and Records Administration in Record Groups 18 (Records of the Army Air Forces), 341 (Records of Headquarters United States Air Force (Air Staff)), 342 (Records of United States Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations), and 398 (General Records of the Department of Transportation). Official materials remaining in the collection are primarily contemporary copies given to Mrs. Davis relating to General Davis' travel or public appearances.

Some of the early material (through approximately 1948) was organized by Mrs. Davis into a series of scrapbooks, each of which contains photographs, correspondence, and newsclippings. The rest of the items in the collection were organized into envelopes by the Davises before donation, with the material generally arranged by posting (duty station) and chronology. The items in any given envelope were generally not organized and neither were the envelopes themselves grouped in any particular manner. Additionally, some military records gathered by General Davis as reference material while writing his autobiography were identified by the period of his posting, although the material itself was generally created after that period. Items relating primarily to Mrs. Davis were not separated by the Davises in any manner; during processing such material was treated in a like manner, remaining interfiled with material relating primarily to General Davis, except as noted below.

The collection as a whole has been organized into four chronological groups: Civilian and Family Life (predating Davis' admission to the US Military Academy at West Point, NY), Military Service, Private Life (post-dating Davis' retirement from the USAF), and Autobiography. The second of these (Military Service) has been organized chronologically by posting, then alphabetically by subject; the remaining groups have been organized alphabetically by broad subject areas, then chronologically.

A number of broad subject areas recur in both the civilian and military sections of this collection. In cases where such broad areas can be applied individually to Davis, Mrs. Davis, or Davis Sr., they have been grouped in that order. The subject areas are as follows:

Awards and Honors -- materials relating to medals, citations, or other awards or honors given to Davis (or other members of his family)

Newclippings -- clippings from newspapers or magazines, or complete newspapers or magazines, except when such clippings were enclosures which had remained with their associated cover letter

Official Duties -- materials relating to Davis' activities connected to his official duties (used in Series II only)

Social -- materials relating to the Davises' activities which are not obviously connected to his official duties

Travel -- materials relating to trips by the Davises which do not appear to be duty-related trips

Other subject areas are generally self-explanatory.

The collection contained two videotapes, one relating to the 50th Anniversary of the Tuskegee Airmen and the other to the 1992 Clinton Campaign, both of which have been transferred to the NASM Film Archives. Cross references to these tapes have been placed in the finding aid in the series or subseries into which they would have fallen had they been documents. A large number of three-dimensional items, particularly plaques, have been transferred to curatorial control. For access to these items, please contact the NASM Aeronautics Department. Oversized items remaining in the collection have been placed in appropriate-sized containers at the end of the document collection; reference to such items occurs in the file lists as "see oversized..." or "see also oversized..." as appropriate.

Researchers should also consult Davis' autobiography, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., American: An Autobiography (Washington, DC: Smithsonian, 1991).

Arrangement:

Series 1: Education and Civilian Life, to June 1932

Series 2: Military Career, June 1932 to January 1970

Series 3: Civilian Life, February 1970 to 1993

Series 4: Autobiography

Biographical / Historical:

Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr. was born in Washington, DC on December 18, 1912, the second of three children born to Benjamin Oliver (Sr.) and Elnora Dickerson Davis. At that time Davis Sr.(1) was a First Lieutenant in the United States Army, having worked his way up from an enlisted cavalry trooper. Elnora Davis died from complications after giving birth to their third child (Elnora) in 1916 and three years later Davis Sr. married Sadie Overton, an English professor at Wilberforce University. Davis and his sisters lived with relatives in Washington while Davis Sr. completed his tour of duty in the Philippines with his new bride. The family was reunited in Tuskegee, AL when Davis Sr. taught military science and tactics at the Tuskegee Institute between 1920 and 1924. In 1924 Davis Sr. was assigned as an instructor to a federalized Ohio National Guard unit and the family moved to Cleveland, OH.

Davis finished his schooling in Cleveland, graduating from Central High School in 1929. He then attended Western Reserve University (1929-1930) and the University of Chicago (1930-1932) before gaining admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. He graduated in the Class of 1936 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry.(2) Upon graduation, he married Ms. Agatha Scott, whom he had met and dated while at the Academy.

After serving in the infantry for several years Davis was posted to the newly-established Tuskegee Army Air Field, AL for pilot training in 1942. He graduated in the first class from the new flying school and was officially transferred to the Army Air Corps. In August 1942 he assumed command of the 99th Fighter Squadron, leading it in combat in North Africa and Sicily. The 99th Fighter Squadron was the first unit of "Tuskegee Airmen," as black(3) units in the segregated Army Air Forces (AAF) have come to be called. Two units of Tuskegee Airmen saw combat during World War II: the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332d Fighter Group (composed of the 100th, 301st, and 302d Fighter Squadrons). Davis, promoted to Colonel in 1944, commanded both of these units in turn, leading the 99th and 332d in combat in Europe and earning the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, and Silver Star for his own actions and a Distinguished Unit Citation for the 332d Fighter Group.

Davis returned to the United States in June 1945 to assume command of the 477th Bombardment Group (composed of the 616th, 617th, 618th, and 619th Bombardment Squadrons; later redesignated the 477th Composite Group), another segregated black unit, at Godman Field, KY. Davis was expected to prepare the unit for deployment to the Pacific Theater, although the unit's training was badly behind schedule due to racial tensions between the white staff and black operating personnel of the unit. Davis quickly brought the unit up to deployment requirements, but the war ended before the 477th left the United States. Returning elements of the 332d and 99th were merged into the 477th, which was redesignated the 332d Fighter Wing in 1947. As the only remaining black unit in the newly-established, but still segregated, United States Air Force (USAF), the 332d suffered from a surplus of qualified personnel while remaining USAF units were often under manned. The performance of the units under Davis' command had laid to rest questions regarding the abilities of the "negro race" and in 1948 the Air Force determined that the efficient use of its manpower required the integration of its units. As a result the Air Force rapidly complied with President Truman's order for the integration of the United States military. Davis acted as an advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force in relation to the integration of the armed forces. The integration procedure, however, resulted in the deactivation of Davis' command as its personnel were dispersed among the rest of the Air Force; Davis himself was assigned to attend classes at the Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL.

After completing the course of study at the Air War College (1949-1950), Davis was posted to a variety of command and staff positions both within the United States and abroad. He served in a number of staff positions in Headquarters, USAF, at the Pentagon.(4) He held both command and staff positions abroad in Korea (5), Japan (6), Taiwan (7), Germany (8), and the Philippines.(9) His final assignment was as Deputy Commander in Chief of United States Strike Command at MacDill AFB, FL.

Davis was promoted to Brigadier General in October 1954 (10), after ten years as a Colonel. He was promoted to Major General in June 1959 and to Lieutenant General in April 1965. Despite persistent rumors of his impending promotion to full General (four stars), no such promotion was pending by the time of his retirement on January 31, 1970.

Throughout his military career Davis took great pains to insure good living conditions and fair treatment for the men under his command. He strove to create good relations between the US military forces and local military and civil authorities. In particular, he negotiated several Status of Forces Agreements and defused several antagonistic situations between US forces and local authorities while commanding units in Asia. In addition, he and Agatha established many personal relationships, which they maintained after their return to the United States.

After his retirement from the military, he served briefly as the Director of Public Safety for the City of Cleveland, OH (February-July 1970), leading the Cleveland Police and Fire Departments in the racially-polarized atmosphere in that city after the riots of the late 1960s. Following his resignation from Cleveland, he took a position as the Director of Civil Aviation Security for the United States Department of Transportation (November 1970-June 1971), where he was responsible for implementing measures to counter the first wave of aerial hijackings of the 1970s. In July 1971 he was appointed Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Safety and Consumer Affairs (July 1971-September 1975), serving both the Nixon and Ford Administrations in that position.

Following his retirement from the civil service, he worked as a consultant to the Department of Transportation in the Ford and Carter Administrations on a number of issues, but was particularly linked to the promotion of the 55mph National Maximum Speed Limit. He served on a number of boards and commissions, including the President's Commission on Campus Unrest, the American Battle Monuments Commission, The President's Commission on Military Compensation, and the Board of Directors of the Manhattan Life Insurance Co. He was also active in a number of clubs and organizations, particularly the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., which awarded him a lifetime membership in 1991.

In the late 1980s he began work on his autobiography, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., American: An Autobiography (Washington, DC: Smithsonian, 1991). Following its publication, Davis pursued an active speaking career, crossing the country to talk to schools, clubs, and general audiences about his experiences. His book and

es, his contributions to the Black Wings exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum (opened 1983), and the work of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. did much to lift the veil that had fallen over the activities of black Americans during World War II, both in the air and on the ground. For his contributions, both during and after World War II, he received many awards, including the Order of the Sword (presented by the Non-Commissioned Officers of USAF Tactical Air Command, awarded 1978), designation as an Elder Statesman of Aviation (National Aeronautic Association, awarded 1991), and the Langley Medal (Smithsonian Institution, awarded 1992), as well as numerous lifetime and distinguished achievement awards.

On December 9, 1998, Davis was promoted to General on the Retired List, receiving his fourth star from President William Clinton in a ceremony held in the Presidential Hall of the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, DC. The promotion came only after the Tuskegee Airmen approached Senator John McCain of Airzona, who agreed that the promotion was warranted by Davis' service. McCain added the necessary language to a defense-related bill, which was passed by Congress in September 1998.

Agatha died early in 2002 and General Davis, suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, followed shortly after, passing away on July 4, 2002 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Endnotes 1. For the sake of brevity, "Davis" refers to Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. "Davis Sr." refers to his father, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr.

2. Davis had requested a commission in the Army Air Corps, but was refused due to his race. Davis was the fourth black American to graduate from West Point and the first in the twentieth century. In keeping with his sentiments, his ethnicity will only be mentioned when it has a direct bearing upon his career. See Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., American: An Autobiography (Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1991).

3. At the request of General and Mrs. Davis the term "black" or "black American" is used in preference to "African-American". Patricia Williams, Memorandum for the Record, August 21, 1992, NASM Accession File 1992 0023.

4. Staff Planning Officer, Operations and Planning Division/Commands Division, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (DCS/O; July 1950-January 1951); Chief, Air Defense Branch/Fighter Branch, DCS/O (January 1951-July 1953); Director of Manpower and Organizations, DCS/Programs and Requirements (August 1961-February 1965); Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Requirements (February-May 1965).

5. Commander, 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing (November 1953-July 1954); Chief of Staff, United Nations Command/US Forces Korea (May 1965-August 1967)

6. Director of Operations and Training, Headquarters, Far East Air Force, Tokyo (July 1954-April 1957)

7. Commanding Officer, Air Task Force 13 (Provisional) and Vice Commander, Thirteenth Air Force (June 1955-April 1957)

8. Chief of Staff, Twelfth Air Force (May-December 1957); Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, USAF Europe (December 1957-July 1961)

9. Commander, Thirteenth Air Force (August 1967-July 1968)

10. Davis was the first black American to achieve flag rank in the United States Air Force. He was the second in the armed forces, the first being his father, who was promoted to Brigadier General in the United States Army in 1940.

1912 December 18 -- Davis born in Washington, DC to First Lieutenant Benjamin O. Davis (Sr.) and Elnora Dickerson Davis

1914 September 1 -- World War I begins

1915 February -- Davis Sr. begins duties as instructor at Wilberforce University, OH

1916 February 9 -- Elnora Dickerson Davis dies

1917 April 6 -- United States declares war on Germany; direct U.S. involvement in World War I begins

1917 (Summer) -- Davis Sr. assigned to 9th Cavalry Regiment, Camp Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands

1918 November 11 -- World War I armistice signed; end of combat operations in Europe

1919 -- Davis Sr. marries Sadie Overton

1920 July -- Family moves to Tuskegee, AL (Davis Sr. instructs at Tuskegee Institute)

1924 July -- Family moves to Cleveland, OH (Davis Sr. instructs 372d Infantry Regiment, OH National Guard)

1929 -- Davis graduates from Central High School, Cleveland, OH

1929 --1930 -- Davis attends Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

1930 --1932 -- Davis attends University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

1931 March -- Davis appointed to United States Military Academy, West Point, NY (fails entrance exam)

1932 March -- Davis passes USMA entrance exam

1932 July 1 -- Davis reports to USMA, West Point, NY (attends July 1, 1932-June 12, 1936)

1936 June 12 -- Davis graduates from USMA, commissioned Second Lieutenant of Infantry

1936 June 20 -- Davis marries Agatha Josephine Scott

1936 September 12 -- Davis reports to Company F, 24th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, GA (Company Officer, September 12, 1936-August 27, 1937)

1937 July 7 -- Japanese forces invades China; World War II begins in Asia

1937 August 27 -- Davis reports to the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA (attends normal course, August 27, 1937-June 18, 1938)

1938 June 18 -- Davis reports to Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, AL as Professor of Military Science (instructs June 18, 1938-February 14, 1941)

1939 June 12 -- Davis promoted to First Lieutenant

1939 September 1 -- German forces invade Poland; World War II begins in Europe

1940 October 9 -- Davis promoted to Captain (temporary promotion)

1940 October 25 -- Davis Sr. promoted to Brigadier General and placed in command of the 4th Cavalry Brigade at Fort Riley, KS

1941 February -- Davis assigned as Aide de Camp to Davis Sr. (serves February-May 1941)

1941 May 20 -- Davis reports to Flying School at Tuskegee Army Air Field, AL (student, May 20, 1941-March 7, 1942)

1941 December 7 -- Japanese aircraft attack Pearl Harbor, HI; direct U.S. involvement in World War II begins

1942 March 7 -- Davis is appointed Administrative Officer, Tuskegee AAF, AL (serves March 7-August 27, 1942)

1942 May -- Davis transferred from Infantry to Army Air Corps

1942 May 11 -- Davis promoted to Major (temporary promotion)

1942 May 21 -- Davis promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (temporary promotion)

1942 August 27 -- Davis assumes command of 99th Fighter Squadron, Tuskegee AAF, AL (Squadron Commander, August 27, 1942-October 4, 1943)

1943 April 24 -- 99th Fighter Squadron transferred to Casablanca, French Morocco

1943 April 29 -- 99th Fighter Squadron transferred to Oued N'ja, French Morocco

1943 June 7 -- 99th Fighter Squadron transferred to Fardjouna, Tunisia

1943 July 28 -- 99th Fighter Squadron transferred to Licata, Sicily

1943 September 4 -- 99th Fighter Squadron transferred to Termini, Sicily

1943 September 17 -- 99th Fighter Squadron transferred to Barcellona, Sicily

1943 September -- Davis returns to Continental United States

1943 October 8 -- Davis assumes command of 332d Fighter Group, Selfridge Field, MI (Group Commander, October 8, 1943-June 7, 1945)

1944 February 3 -- 332d Fighter Group transferred to Montecorvino, Italy

1944 April 15 -- 332d Fighter Group transferred to Capodichino, Italy

1944 May 28 -- 332d Fighter Group transferred to Ramitelli Airfield, Italy

1944 May 29 -- Davis promoted to Colonel (temporary promotion)

1945 May 4 -- 332d Fighter Group transferred to Cattolica, Italy

1945 May 7 -- Germany surrenders; World War II ends in Europe

1945 June 10 -- Davis returns to Continental United States

1945 June 21 -- Davis assumes command of 477th Composite Group (Group Commander, June 21-30, 1945)

1945 July 1 -- Davis assumes command of Godman Field, KY, and all tenant units, including 477th Composite Group (Base Commander, July 1, 1945-March 4, 1946)

1945 September 2 -- Japan surrenders; World War II ends in the Pacific

1946 March 4 -- Davis assumes command of Lockbourne AAB and all tenant units, including 477th Composite Group (Base Commander, March 4, 1946-September 15, 1947) All units at Godman Field transferred to Lockbourne Army Air Base, OH

1947 July 1 -- 477th Composite Group redesignated 332d Fighter Wing

1947 July-August -- Davis travels to Liberia with Davis Sr. as a special representative of the United States Government for the establishment of Liberian independence

1947 September 16 -- Davis assumes direct command of 332d Fighter Wing (Wing Commander, September 16, 1947-June 30, 1949)

1947 October 1 -- United States Air Force created as an independent service.

1948 July 2 -- Davis' promotion to Lieutenant Colonel made permanent.

1948 July 26 -- President Truman signs Executive Order 9981 ordering the full integration of the United States armed forces.

1949 May 11 -- USAF issues Air Force Letter 35-3 stating that Air Force policy is equal treatment and opportunity for all persons in the Air Force regardless of race, color, religion, or national origin.

1949 June 30 -- 332d Fighter Wing deactivated

1949 July 1 -- Davis assumes command of Lockbourne AFB, OH (Base Commander, July 1-August 16, 1949)

1949 August 16 -- Lockbourne AFB, OH transferred to Ohio Air National Guard

1949 August 17 -- Davis reports to Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL (attends course, August 17, 1949-July 4, 1950)

1950 June 25 -- North Korean forces invade South Korea; Korean War begins

1950 July 19 -- Davis reports to Pentagon to serve as Staff Planning Officer, Operations and Planning Division, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (DCS/O), Headquarters, United States Air Force, Washington, DC (serves July 19, 1950-January 4, 1951)

1950 July 27 -- Davis' promotion to Colonel made permanent

1950 August 8 -- Davis awarded Croix de Guerre by the French government for his actions during World War II

1950 September 12 -- Operations and Planning Division redesignated Commands Division of DCS/O

1951 January 5 -- Davis begins duty as Branch Chief, Air Defense Branch, Commands Division, DCS/O. (serves January 5, 1951-July 15, 1953)

1951 April 16 -- Air Defense Branch redesignated Fighter Branch, Control Division, DCS/O

1953 February 5 -- Davis reports to Craig AFB, AL for Jet Indoctrination Course (February 5-March 2, 1953); returns to Fighter Branch on completion of course

1953 July 16 -- Davis reports to Nellis AFB, NV for Advanced Jet Fighter Gunnery School (July 16-November 16, 1953)

1953 July 27 -- Korean War armistice signed; end of combat operations in Korea

1953 November 25 -- Davis assumes command of 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing at Suwon, Korea (Wing Commander, November 25, 1953-July 6, 1954)

1954 July 7 -- Davis reports to Headquarters, Far East Air Force, Tokyo, Japan to serve a Director of Operations and Training (serves July 7, 1954-April 1957)

1954 October 27 -- Davis is promoted to Brigadier General (temporary promotion)

1955 June -- Davis reports to Taipei, Taiwan to establish Air Task Force 13 (Provisional) (Commander, June 1955-April 1957), with simultaneous duties as Vice Commander, Thirteenth Air Force and Director of Operations and Training, FEAF

1957 March -- Davis awarded Command Pilot Rating

1957 May -- Davis assigned to Twelfth Air Force

1957 June -- Davises travel from Taiwan to Europe via United States

1957 July -- Davis reports to Headquarters, Twelfth Air Force at Ramstein, Germany (Chief of Staff, May-December 1957)

1957 December -- Davis begins duties as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (ADVON) at Headquarters, USAF Europe, Wiesbaden, Germany (serves December 1957-July 1961)

1959 June 30 -- Davis is promoted to Major General (temporary rank)

1960 May 16 -- Davis' promotion to Brigadier General made permanent

1961 -- US military personnel sent to South Vietnam as advisors

1961 August -- Davis reports to Pentagon to serve as Director of Manpower and Organizations, Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Requirements, Headquarters, USAF (serves August 1961-February 1965)

1962 January 30 -- Davis' promotion to Major General is made permanent

1965 February -- Davis begins duty as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Requirements, Headquarters, USAF (serves February-May 1965)

1965 April 30 -- Davis promoted to Lieutenant General

1965 March 2 -- USAF begins "Rolling Thunder" bombing campaign over North Vietnam

1965 May 13 -- Davis reports to Seoul, Korea to begin duties as Chief of Staff to the United Nations Command and United States Forces Korea (serves May 13, 1965-August 1, 1967)

1966 October 25 -- Sadie Overton Davis dies

1967 August -- Davis assumes command of Thirteenth Air Force, Clark Air Base, Philippines (Commanding Officer, August 1967-July 1968)

1968 August 1 -- Davis reports to MacDill AFB, FL to begin duties as Deputy Commander in Chief of United States Strike Command (serves August 1, 1968-January 31, 1970)

1968 January -- Tet Offensive begins in Vietnam

1968 October 31 -- "Rolling Thunder" ends on orders from President Johnson

1969 January 20 -- Richard M. Nixon inaugurated President of the United States

1970 -- USAF begins withdrawing units from South Vietnam

1970 January 31 -- Davis retires from United States Air Force

1970 February 1 -- Davis begins work as Director of Public Safety for the Cleveland, OH (works February 1, 1970-July 27, 1970)

1970 June 13 -- Davis joins President's Commission on Campus Unrest (report issued September 27, 1971)

1970 July 27 -- Davis resigns from Cleveland position, citing lack of support from Mayor Stokes

1970 September 20 -- Davis begins work as a consultant to the United States Secretary of Transportation on air transportation security (works September 20, 1970-November 4, 1970)

1970 November 4 -- Davis begins work a Director of Civil Aviation Security for the United States Department of Transportation (works November 4, 1970-July 1, 1971)

1970 November 26 -- Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. dies

1971 July 1 -- Davis becomes Acting Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Safety and Consumer Affairs (serves July 1, 1971-August 3, 1971)

1971 July 8 -- Nixon Administration nominates Davis to be Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Safety and Consumer Affairs

1971 July 29 -- Senate confirms Davis in Assistant Secretary position

1971 August 3 -- Davis sworn in a Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Safety and Consumer Affairs (serves August 3, 1970-September 20, 1975)

1973 March 28 -- Last US Military personnel leave South Vietnam

1974 August 9 -- Nixon resigns as President of the United States. Vice President Gerald R. Ford becomes President

1975 September 20 -- Davis retires from Civil Service

1976 April -- Davis begins work as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Transportation for the National Maximum Speed Limit

1977 January 20 -- James E. Carter inaugurated President of the United States

1977 June -- Davis joins President's Commission on Military Compensation (report issued March 1978)

1981 January 20 -- Ronald W. Reagan inaugurated President of the United States Davis leaves position as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Transportation

1989 January 20 -- George H. W. Bush inaugurated President of the United States

1991 -- Davis' autobiography – Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., American: An Autobiography – is published by Smithsonian Press

1991 June 30 -- Davis awarded a Lifetime Membership by Tuskegee Airmen Inc

1993 January 20 -- William J. Clinton inaugurated President of the United States

1998 December 9 -- Davis promoted to General (Retired) in a ceremony at the Old Executive Office Building

2001 January 20 -- George W. Bush inaugurated President of the United States

2002 July 4 -- Davis dies at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC

2002 July 17 -- Davis buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

Provenance:

Benjamin O. Davis and Agatha S. Davis, Gift, various, 1992-0023

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.

Topic:

Fighter pilots  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Blacks  Search this

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Blacks -- United States  Search this

African American air pilots  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Aeronautics and state  Search this

Aeronautics, Commercial -- United States  Search this

Aeronautics, Commercial  Search this

Genre/Form:

Photographs

Publications

Correspondence

Programs

Citation:

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Collection, Acc. 1992.0023, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.1992.0023

See more items in:

Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Collection

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1992-0023

Author:

Peter, Fredy  Search this

Subject:

United States Army Air Forces History  Search this

Great Britain Royal Air Force History  Search this

Germany Luftwaffe History  Search this

Physical description:

304 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm

Type:

Books

Place:

Switzerland

Graubünden

Date:

2003

20th century

Topic:

World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations  Search this

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

Neutrality--Switzerland  Search this

Aircraft accidents--History  Search this

Call number:

D790 .P46 2003

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_740860

Creator:

Sewell, Charles B., 1918-1991  Search this

Names:

United States. Army Air Forces. 100th Bombardment Group. 350th Bombardment Squadron  Search this

Chamberlain, William  Search this

Ray, Frank  Search this

Sewell, Charles B., 1918-1991  Search this

Vecchione, Casper  Search this

Extent:

0.1 Cubic feet ((1 folder))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Logs (records)

Photographs

Postcards

Audiocassettes

Clippings

Date:

1940-1993

bulk 1942-1946

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of the wartime log Sewell kept while a prisoner at Stalag Luft IV. The log includes poems, sketches, photographs, and food labels from the Red Cross Parcels. The collection also contains V-Mail and prisoner mail postcards, copies of newspaper articles about Sewell and Stalag Luft IV; photographs of Sewell; and copies of The Oversea Kid newspaper 1944. There are also newspaper articles on POW Edward Sanders, and cassette narratives of the following three POWs who were imprisoned with Sewell: Casper Vecchione; William Chamberlain; and Frank Ray.

Biographical / Historical:

Charles B. Sewell (1918-1991) enlisted in the Army in 1942. Technical Segeant Sewell was a top turrent gunner in a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortess, 350th Bomb Squadron, 100 Bomb Group. He was on his 14th mission when he was shot down over Germany. Sewell was held as a POW from May 1944 until April of 1945, with most of his time spent in Stalag Luft IV. Sewell was discharged from the Army in October 1945.

General:

NASMrev

Provenance:

Mae Y. Sewell, Gift, 1993, 1993-0014, NASM

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

Topic:

Prisoners of war  Search this

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Family  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Concentration camps -- Germany  Search this

Stalag Luft IV (Germany : Concentration camp)  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

Periodicals  Search this

Genre/Form:

Logs (records)

Photographs

Postcards

Audiocassettes

Clippings

Identifier:

NASM.1993.0014

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1993-0014

Creator:

Garduno, Carlos.  Search this

Names:

El Escuadron 201  Search this

Extent:

0.4 Cubic feet ((1 box))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Newspaper clippings

Photographic prints

Place:

Mexico

Date:

bulk 1930-1991

Scope and Contents:

Ehis collection consists of the following items chronicling the aviation career of Colonel Carlos Garduno: En Guardia, volume 1, no. 9; ASI, August 11, 1945; newspaper articles, 1945-1991; material relating to the El Escuadron 201 reunion; Form One, February 1942 issue, April 1942 issue, and Anniversary Issue, May 1942; El Pilot, Sep.-Oct. 1930; 81 copy prints of photo album pages; a few paper prints; and a brochure for Mexico Homenaje de las Fuerzas de la Defensa Nacional de Chile (a Mexican tribute to the Chilean armed forces), 1940.

Biographical / Historical:

Colonel Carlos Garduno was a member of El Escuadron 201, also known as the Aztec Eagle Squadron. In 1943, Mexico became an active participant in World War II. Escuadron 201, formed in response to German submarine attacks against Mexican oil tankers, was comprised of more than 300 volunteers. The 201 was integrated with the US Army Air Forces; after completing its training in Texas, the squadron became a Lockheed P-47 fighter squadron attached to the 58th Fighter Group during the liberation of the main Philippine Island of Luzon in 1945. The squadron also participated in the Allied effort to bomb Formosa to force the Japanese out of that island. For their service they received the Medal of Valor of Combat.

Provenance:

Carlos Garduno, Gift, 2006

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

Topic:

Military -- Mexico  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations  Search this

Lockheed P-47  Search this

Periodicals  Search this

Genre/Form:

Newspaper clippings

Photographic prints

Citation:

, Accession number 2006-0036, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.2006.0036

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-2006-0036