Search Results

Manufactured by:

Unidentified  Search this

Owned by:

Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr., American, born 1946  Search this

Medium:

metal

Dimensions:

4 13/16 × 1 × 5/8 in. (12.2 × 2.5 × 1.6 cm)

Type:

pocket knives

Date:

ca. 2000

Topic:

African American  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Military  Search this

Credit Line:

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr., USMC (Ret)

Object number:

2014.243.34.7

Restrictions & Rights:

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

See more items in:

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification:

Tools and Equipment-Military

Data Source:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5848590ae-4960-45c8-b1ce-7327442d5aaa

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nmaahc_2014.243.34.7

Manufactured by:

Unidentified  Search this

Owned by:

Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr., American, born 1946  Search this

Medium:

plastic, nylon, metal

Dimensions:

3 9/16 × 15/16 × 1 1/2 in. (9 × 2.4 × 3.8 cm)

Type:

compasses (direction indicators)

Date:

ca. 2000

Topic:

African American  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Military  Search this

Credit Line:

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr., USMC (Ret)

Object number:

2014.243.34.8

Restrictions & Rights:

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

See more items in:

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification:

Tools and Equipment-Military

Data Source:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b212a2d0-f4c2-459f-aa7b-27df051bf372

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nmaahc_2014.243.34.8

Manufactured by:

School of Survival Specialties, Inc., American, 1986 - 2007  Search this

Owned by:

Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr., American, born 1946  Search this

Medium:

plastic, glass

Dimensions:

2 1/8 × 3 1/8 × 1/4 in. (5.4 × 7.9 × 0.6 cm)

Type:

mirrors

Date:

ca. 2000

Topic:

African American  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Military  Search this

Credit Line:

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr., USMC (Ret)

Object number:

2014.243.34.9

Restrictions & Rights:

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

See more items in:

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification:

Tools and Equipment-Military

Data Source:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd53e1543e2-0f00-4658-b3a8-2c89d88e2111

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nmaahc_2014.243.34.9

Manufactured by:

Gentex Corp., American  Search this

Owned by:

Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr., American, born 1946  Search this

Medium:

graphite, nylon, styrofoam, leather, cotton (textile), polyester, canvas, sulfone polymer, silicone, rubber, metal, polycarbonate

Dimensions:

2014.243.35.2ab On form: 35 3/4 × 10 × 12 1/2 in. (90.8 × 25.4 × 31.8 cm)

Visor Cover, flat: 5 × 10 1/4 × 1 1/2 in. (12.7 × 26 × 3.8 cm)

Type:

helmets

protective equipment

Date:

1998

Topic:

African American  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Military  Search this

Credit Line:

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr., USMC (Ret)

Object number:

2014.243.35.2ab

Restrictions & Rights:

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

See more items in:

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification:

Tools and Equipment-Military

Data Source:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd50ada7a2e-33cc-4770-a30a-6d0562b974db

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nmaahc_2014.243.35.2ab

Creator:

Edo Aircraft Corp  Search this

Names:

Edo Aircraft Corp  Search this

Extent:

0.45 Cubic feet ((1 legal document box))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Correspondence

Photographs

Publications

Financial records

Date:

1925-1970

bulk 1927-1945

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of material relating to the EDO Aircraft Corporation, mostly from the 1920s-1940s. The following types of material are included: company correspondence, photographs, brochures, price lists and float specifications, and annual reports.

Biographical / Historical:

The Edo Aircraft Company, later renamed the EDO Corporation, was founded in 1925. The company's first project was an all-metal flying boat, called the 'Malolo.' Because of the limited market for flying boats in 1926, the company switched its endeavors to the design and construction of all-metal seaplane floats. Development of the EDO all-metal float did much to stimulate the use of seaplanes. Over 300 different types of aircraft, from many countries, were equipped with EDO floats by 1941. During 1942-1945 all the floats used by the Navy and Army Air Corps were built by EDO. After the war, the company ventured into other areas, including: Sonar for underwater exploration and antisubmarine warfare; development of the hydro-ski; involvement in the Navy's Polaris and Trident programs; development of the navigational aide Loran; and participation in cold-war intelligence gathering equipment.

General:

NASMrev

Provenance:

Margery O. Erickson, gift, 1995, 1995-0054, 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:

Aeronautics  Search this

Aeronautics, Commercial -- United States  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Edo Model B Flying Boat "Malolo"  Search this

Seaplanes  Search this

Seaplanes -- Design and construction  Search this

Genre/Form:

Correspondence

Photographs

Publications

Financial records

Identifier:

NASM.1995.0054

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2e0b47698-f363-443f-9f81-8148db8e2b93

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1995-0054

Creator:

Blumberg, Nathan  Search this

Names:

United States. Army. Air Service. 1st Pursuit Group. 27th Aero Squadron  Search this

Blumberg, Nathan  Search this

Luke, Frank, Jr.  Search this

Rickenbacker, Eddie, 1890-1973  Search this

Extent:

0.18 Cubic feet (1 flatbox)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Scrapbooks

Date:

1917-1973

Summary:

Nathan Blumberg (1897--1982) served with the US Army Air Service, 27th Aero Squadron, during World War I. This collection consists of a scrapbook compiled by Blumberg which mainly documents the activities of his unit during the war.

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of a scrapbook compiled by Nathan Blumberg which mainly documents the activities of the 27th Aero Squadron during World War I. Photographs in the scrapbook include images of members of the squadron; graves of some of the pilots killed in action; aircraft including the SPAD XIII (S.13), Dorand Type A.R.2 A2, Nieuport 28 C18, and the de Havilland (Airco) D.H.4; and views of various locations in France. The images are captioned by Blumberg. The scrapbook also includes some military records, poems, news clippings, and photographs and memorabilia from the squadron's reunions in 1966 and 1973. A number of news clippings in the scrapbook relate to Frank Luke, Jr., a pilot from the 27th Aero Squadron who was killed in action during World War I and was awarded the Medal of Honor. The scrapbook also contains some clippings about Edward Vernon "Eddie" Rickenbacker and some of Blumberg's enlistment records from World War II.

Arrangement:

The scrapbook in this collection is in original order. The collection also contains some loose items which are housed separately.

Biographical / Historical:

Nathan Blumberg (1897--1982) enlisted in the US Army Air Service at Fort Slocum, New York on November 27, 1917 and was initially attached to the 233rd Aero Squadron before being transferred to the 659th Aero Squadron in December 1917. In February 1918, Blumberg was attached to the 27th Aero Squadron and remained with that unit, serving in France from February 1918 until March 1919 when he was honorably discharged at the rank of corporal. Blumberg re-enlisted in the US Army Air Forces in October 1942 and served during World War II as a warrant officer.

Provenance:

Leonore B. Sheldon, Gift, 1991, NASM.1991.0028

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  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

World War, 1914-1918  Search this

SPAD XIII (S.13)  Search this

Dorand A.R. (Avion de Reconnaissance) Series  Search this

Nieuport (France) 28  Search this

de Havilland (Airco) D.H.4  Search this

Genre/Form:

Scrapbooks

Citation:

27th Aero Squadron Scrapbook [Nathan Blumberg], NASM.1991.0028, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.1991.0028

See more items in:

27th Aero Squadron Scrapbook [Nathan Blumberg]

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg23f93ab86-f222-4809-8803-95b31d51c905

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1991-0028

Creator:

Serotkin, Robert, 1911-1986  Search this

Names:

United States. Army Air Forces. 1st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron  Search this

Serotkin, Robert, 1911-1986  Search this

Extent:

0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder, 32 photographs)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Photographs

Date:

1942-1945

Summary:

This collection consists of 32 black and white photographs relating to artist and photographer Robert Isadore Serotkin (1911-1986) and includes examples of the aircraft nose art which he painted while serving with the US Army Air Forces during World War II.

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of 32 black and white photographs relating to Robert Serotkin and examples of the aircraft nose art which he painted during World War II. Seven images were copied by the museum from original negatives loaned by the Serotkin family; the remaining 25 images are original print photographs. The collection includes informal portrait photographs of Serotkin including one with his wife, Rose Shirley (Hymowitz) Serotkin; snapshots of Serotkin and fellow servicemen; and detail views of aircraft nose art. Aircraft pictured include the Boeing B-29 Superfortresses "Lady in Waiting" (s/n 44-84068), "R. S. M. Dragon" (s/n 44-83966), and "Slave Girl" (s/n 44-27307); Boeing F-9 "Margie's Mad Greek II" (s/n 42-30253) and Boeing F-9B Flying Fortress "Golden Hind" (s/n 42-6187); Boeing F-13A (R-13A, RB-29A) reconnaissance aircraft "Margie's Mad Greek III" (s/n 44-61843) and "Over Exposed" (s/n 44-61813); Consolidated B-24 Liberators "Lucky Strike" (believed to be s/n 44-41976), "Luvablass", and "Over Loaded"; and Douglas C-47 Skytrain "Cheri." Also included are three views of the wreck of the Martin (Glenn L.) PBM-5 Mariner "Cloud Hopper" on a beach in Okinawa in late 1945.

Arrangement:

The photographs are grouped by subject.

Biographical / Historical:

Robert Isadore Serotkin was born May 23, 1911, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended the Pennsylvania School of Industrial Art in Philadelphia from 1937-1938, and by 1941 was self-employed as a commercial photographer. Serotkin entered service with the US Army on February 12, 1942, and after basic training in Biloxi, Mississippi, was sent to the Army Air Forces (AAF) Technical School at Lowry Field, Colorado, from July-September 1942 for training as an aerial photographer. At the conclusion of his training, Serotkin was promoted to Staff Sergeant and assigned to the newly-redesignated 1st Photographic Mapping Squadron. Aerial mapping duties took Serotkin to posts in Africa at Accra (British Gold Coast), Morocco, and Egypt before being sent back to the United States for additional training in Boeing F-13A aircraft (the reconnaissance version of the B-29 Superfortress) at Smoky Hill Army Air Field in Salinas, Kansas. In September 1945, the squadron, now redesignated as 1st Photo Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Heavy), was posted to Okinawa. Throughout his military career, Serotkin put his skills as a commercial artist to good use by painting nose art (aircraft personal art) on various aircraft when the weather was too bad to fly mapping missions. Serotkin was discharged from the USAAF on January 20, 1946; he died in Boca Raton, Florida, on December 26, 1986.

Provenance:

Rita Serotkin, gift, 2000, NASM.2000.0046

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

Occupation:

Commercial artists -- United States  Search this

Topic:

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Airplanes, Military -- Decoration  Search this

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Family  Search this

Boeing B-29 Superfortress  Search this

Consolidated B-24 Liberator Family  Search this

Martin (Glenn L.) PBM Mariner Family  Search this

Genre/Form:

Photographs

Citation:

Nose Art Photography Collection [Serotkin], Acc. NASM.2000.0046, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.2000.0046

See more items in:

Nose Art Photography Collection [Serotkin]

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2b10879e6-00d2-4332-b9b4-30d3d38df756

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-2000-0046

Names:

Eaker, Ira Clarence (General)  Search this

Parton, James, 1912-  Search this

Extent:

0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder, 31 photographs)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Date:

1936-1986

bulk 1942-1944

Summary:

This collection consists of 31 black and white photographs documenting American editor and writer James Parton's involvement with the Allied Air Forces during World War II, and touching on his pre- and post-war editorial career.

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of 31 black and white photographs documenting Parton's involvement with the Allied Air Forces and touching on his pre- and post-WWII editorial career.

Arrangement:

Photographs are in original order.

In 1986, the photographs were copied and assigned Smithsonian Institution negative numbers SI 86-5660 to 86-5690. In 1990, all items in this collection were reproduced in the same order on the second side (Side B) of National Air and Space Museum Archival Videodisc 7, a LaserDisc CAV format 12-inch (30 cm) optical disc published by the Smithsonian Institution. Print numbers applied during videodisc production are used as item-level image numbers (print numbers NASM 7B05427 to 7B05458, videodisc frame capture numbers VD-7B05427 to VD-7B05458) and the images are stored in videodisc number order.

Biographical / Historical:

James Parton was born December 10, 1912, in Newburyport, Massachusetts; he attended Harvard University. From 1935 to 1942, Parton held various editorial and management positions with Time magazine, including aviation editor. During World War II, Parton served in the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) as Aide-de-Camp to General Ira C. Eaker of the VIII Bomber Command, Eighth Air Force, and as Chief Air Historian of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF). After the war, Parton resumed his journalism career as as promotional and editorial director of Time-Life International (1945-1947), editor and publisher of the Los Angeles Independent (1948-1949) and promotional director of the New York Herald Tribune (1950-1953). Parton was also a founder and president of the American Heritage Publishing Company (1954-1970), and president of the Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation (1970-1972). Parton authored a number of publications on the history of the U.S. Air Force, particularly during World War II, and in 1986 wrote a well-received biography of General Eaker, Air Force Spoken Here. Parton died April 20, 2001, in White River Junction, Vermont, at the age of 88.

Provenance:

James Parton, gift, 1986, NASM.1986.0041

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  Search this

Citation:

James Parton Photographs, Acc. NASM.1986.0041, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.1986.0041

See more items in:

James Parton Photographs

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2dca0e38c-41e4-4ef4-a5f7-2e3b288ada61

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1986-0041

Creator:

Gamm, Edward Joseph, 1893-1977.  Search this

Extent:

0.24 Cubic feet (1 flatbox)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Photograph albums

Notebooks

Date:

1918

Summary:

This collection consists of a small pocket diary full of Edward Joseph Gamm's handwritten notes on various aspects of aircraft maintenance and a photo album assembled by Gamm containing photographs from his time in France serving with the 97th Aero Squadron.

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of a small pocket diary full of Edward Joseph Gamm's handwritten notes on various aspects of aircraft maintenance and a photo album assembled by Gamm containing photographs from his time in France. The photographs include images of 97th Aero Squadron personnel and facilities; aerial views of France; armament; aerial views of bombs being dropped; and aircraft including the Breguet Bre.14, de Havilland (Airco) D.H.4, and Nieuport 28 C1. The collection also contains a brief biographical sketch of Gamm compiled by the donor.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by type of material.

Biographical / Historical:

Edward Joseph Gamm (1893-1977) served as an aircraft mechanic with the 97th Aero Squadron, American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France during World War I.

Provenance:

Richard Stansell-Gamm, Gift, 2017, NASM.2017.0044

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, 1914-1918  Search this

de Havilland (Airco) D.H.4  Search this

Nieuport (France) 28  Search this

Breguet 14 (Military aircraft)  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Genre/Form:

Photograph albums

Notebooks

Citation:

97th Aero Squadron Notebook and Photo Album [Gamm], NASM.2017.0044, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.2017.0044

See more items in:

97th Aero Squadron Notebook and Photo Album [Gamm]

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2e91a6177-f5bc-4c85-a1d5-08f372695d69

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-2017-0044

Creator:

Maughan, Russell L., 1893-1958  Search this

Names:

1919 Great Transcontinental Air Race  Search this

Pulitzer Trophy Race  Search this

United States. Army. Air Corps  Search this

United States. Army. Air Service. 2d Pursuit Group. 139th Aero Squadron  Search this

Extent:

0.18 Cubic feet ((1 flatbox))

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Photographs

Date:

1917-1929

Summary:

This collection consists of a photograph album relating to Russell L. Maughan, covering the period from 1917 through 1929. There are images detailing his World War I experience, aerial photos of cities in upstate New York, and photos relating to air races Maughan participated in.

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of a photograph album relating to Russell L. Maughan, covering the period from 1917 through 1929. There are images detailing his World War I experience, including a photo of the 139th Squadron personnel in France, individual photos of 139th pilots in front of their SPAD aircraft, as well as aerial photos of front lines in France in 1917 or 1918. There are also a number of aerial photos of cities in upstate New York, and photos relating to air races Maughan participated in including: the 1919 Transcontinental Air Race; 1922 Pulitzer Trophy race at Selfridge Field. Michigan; and the 1924 "Dawn to Dusk" transcontinental flight. There are also a substantial number of the photographs that are not related to his aviation career, but show his familial events.

Arrangement:

Collection is in original order.

Biographical / Historical:

Russell L. Maughan (1893-1958) graduated from the Utah Agricultural College in 1917 and was a command pilot and combat observer for the United States Army Air Corps. Maughan served in the 139th Aero Squadron in France during World War I, and after the war participated in a number of air races and events, including the 1922 Pulitzer Trophy Race, which he won flying a Curtiss R-6 Army Racer. In 1924, Maughan flew a Curtiss PW-8 Hawk on the historic "Dawn to Dusk" transcontinental flight when he left Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York in the morning and reached Crissy Field, San Francisco, California, by that evening.

Provenance:

Russell L. Maughan, gift, unknown, NASM.XXXX.0228

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

Aeronautics, Commercial  Search this

Aeronautics -- Records  Search this

Aeronautics -- Exhibitions  Search this

Aeronautics -- Competitions  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Genre/Form:

Photographs

Citation:

Russell L. Maughan Scrapbook Photo Album, NASM.XXXX.0228, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.XXXX.0228

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2ac4ed2d1-f2f2-4c5f-8f24-3c99acd76903

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-xxxx-0228

Creator:

Longshore, Guy.  Search this

Extent:

0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Color slides

Photographic prints

Pamphlets

Date:

1945, 2010

Summary:

Guy Longshore served in the U. S. Army Air Corps as a command gunner on a Boeing B-29 Superfortress in the Pacific theater during World War II. This collection consists of photographic material made from images taken by Guy Longshore during World War II, as well as a news clipping about the collection and a small pamphlet written by Longshore that includes a story about his service in World War II.

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of photographic material made from images taken by Guy Longshore during World War II. Four of the images are printed as color slides and nine are black and white prints of various sizes, one of which is laminated. There are also copy prints of almost every image and one image is seen only as a copy print. There is some caption information for most of the images. The images in the collection include an aerial view of bombing damage to Tokyo taken shortly after Japan's surrender; views of Boeing B-29 Superfortresses and North American P-51 Mustangs on the ground and in flight; a view of the Base Operations building at Isley Field (the sign on the building has the base's name misspelled); and a view of Mount Fuji taken from a Boeing B-29 Superfortress in which the wing of the aircraft is partially visible. Four of the images of Boeing B-29 Superfortresses in flight are in color. In addition to the photographic material, this collection contains a news clipping about the collection and a small pamphlet written by Longshore that includes a story about his service in World War II.

Arrangement:

Collection is in original order.

Biographical / Historical:

Guy Longshore served in the U. S. Army Air Corps as a command gunner on a Boeing B-29 Superfortress in the Pacific theater during World War II. During his time in service, Longshore took photographs on the ground and from the air using his personal Argus camera. Shortly after the surrender of Japan, Longshore took an aerial view showing the bombing damage to Tokyo, Japan from the bombardier's seat of a Boeing B-29 Superfortress using U. S. Army camera equipment.

Provenance:

Guy Longshore, Gift, 2010, NASM.2010.0025.

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

Boeing B-29 Superfortress  Search this

North American P-51 Mustang Family  Search this

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

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

Genre/Form:

Color slides

Photographic prints

Pamphlets

Citation:

Guy Longshore World War II Photography Collection, NASM.2010.0025, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.2010.0025

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg21a02ef38-6fec-464b-85e7-be8a5a1de07f

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-2010-0025

Creator:

Smith, Walter Sumpter, 1897-1943  Search this

Names:

United States. Civil Aeronautics Authority  Search this

United States. Federal Civil Works Administration  Search this

United States. Works Project Administration. Airport Division  Search this

Washington National Airport  Search this

Extent:

4.76 Cubic feet (4 records center boxes, 1 flatbox)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Scrapbooks

Photographs

Clippings

Date:

1918-1939

Scope and Contents:

The majority of the collection was compiled by Mrs. W. Sumpter Smith and consists of newspaper clippings and photos. The clippings come primarily from newspapers in and about the Birmingham, AL region and deal with general aviation news from the time period 1918-1935. There are clippings dealing with Sumpter and his activities throughout the collection. Four volumes were compiled by Sumpter himself and deal with the activities of the Civil Aeronautics Authority (1938-39), Civil Works Administration (1933-39), and Works Projects Administration (1935-36). The collection also contains a scrapbook of a WPA Airport Inspection trip in October/November 1937 containing captioned photographs of the trip's high points, as well as photographs documenting the construction of Washington National Airport (1939-1943).

Biographical / Historical:

Colonel Walter Sumpter Smith (1897-1943) was an engineer, Army pilot, government aviation official, and promoter of aviation. He served as an Army pilot and instructor in World War I and afterwards as commandant of Roberts Field in Birmingham, AL, and helped to establish new air mail routes in the South during the late 1920s. In 1935 he was made head of the Airport Division of the Works Project Administration and was later appointed chairman of the Safety Board of the Civil Aeronautics Authority. In January 1939 he was appointed as chairman of the commission to build Washington National Airport. During World War II, he returned to active duty and was made chief of Transport and Facilities Division of Army Air Support in March 1942. On 24 January 1943 his aircraft disappeared over the Caribbean Sea. In 1943 he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

General:

NASMrev

Provenance:

No donor information, Gift, unknown, XXXX-0023, 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:

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Aeronautics, Commercial -- United States  Search this

Aeronautics, Commercial  Search this

Aeronautics and state  Search this

Aeronautics -- Law and legislation  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Air pilots  Search this

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

Genre/Form:

Scrapbooks

Photographs

Clippings

Identifier:

NASM.XXXX.0023

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg242e5b257-e2a2-4512-800f-cd2253f7a8a4

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-xxxx-0023

Plaintiff:

Martin, James V  Search this

Physical description:

pages 119-167 illustrations 25 cm

Type:

Books

Date:

1924

Topic:

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Defense contracts  Search this

Aéronautique militaire  Search this

Contrats de la défense  Search this

Call number:

UG633 .M37

UG633.M37

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_1160434

Plaintiff:

Martin, James V  Search this

Physical description:

pages 119-167 illustrations 25 cm

Type:

Books

Date:

1924

Topic:

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Defense contracts  Search this

Aéronautique militaire  Search this

Contrats de la défense  Search this

Call number:

UG633 .M37

UG633.M37

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_197432

Author:

Mitchell, William 1879-1936  Search this

Artist:

Powers, Tom E.  Search this

Inscriber:

Mitchell, William 1879-1936  Search this

Former owner:

Bennett, Ira DSI  Search this

Publisher:

G.P. Putnam's Sons  Search this

Printer:

Knickerbocker Press  Search this

Subject:

United States Army Air Service  Search this

Physical description:

xxiv, 261 pages, [16] leaves of plates : illustrations, portraits ; 23 cm

Type:

Books

Date:

1925

Topic:

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Call number:

UG633 .M44 1925

UG633.M68 1925

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_399548

Author:

Mitchell, William 1879-1936  Search this

Subject:

United States Army Air Service  Search this

Physical description:

xxiv, 261 p. front., plates, ports. 23 cm

Type:

Books

Date:

1925

Topic:

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Call number:

UG633 .M43X

UG633.M43X

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_58737

Creator:

National Air and Space Museum (U.S.)  Search this

Hardesty, Von, 1939-  Search this

Names:

National Air and Space Museum (U.S.)  Search this

National Air and Space Museum -- Exhibitions  Search this

Extent:

13.38 Cubic feet (11 legal document boxes, 1 shoe box (5 x 8 inches), 6 records center boxes )

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Correspondence

Photographs

Date:

1917-2000

bulk 1981-1986

Summary:

This collection consists of background material collected in support of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) exhibit "Black Wings: The American Black in Aviation" (opened in 1982) and its companion book (published 1983) by curators Von Hardesty and Dominick Pisano, a related symposium, educational materials, and a travelling version of the exhibit. The collection contains photographs and textual materials used in the exhibit and book, internal correspondence and memoranda, and a large amount of material gathered for research purposes but not used in any "Black Wings" production.

Scope and Contents:

The core of the collection covers activities of American Black aviators between 1917 and 1981, from Eugene Bullard's service as a pilot in World War I through the first Black astronauts assigned to the Space Shuttle program in the early 1980s. Curators Von Hardesty and Dominick Pisano and other Museum staff collected and generally grouped materials to fit the four chronological sections of the "Black Wings" exhibit and related book, with a strong emphasis on the stories of individual people.

Headwinds (1917-1939) covers pioneer fliers such as Bullard and Bessie Coleman; Black aviation activities in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas; early aviators and organizers including William J. Powell, Willa Brown, and Cornelius Coffey; and long distance flights by James Herman Banning and Thomas C. Allen, and C. Alfred "Chief" Anderson and Dr. Albert E. Forsythe.

Flight Lines (1939-1945) includes the 1939 flight of Dale L. White and Chauncey E. Spencer to Washington, D.C.; the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPT); the start of training of Black military pilots at Tuskegee Army Air Field during World War II; and training of the all-Black 477th Bombardment Group. This section and the next include U.S. Army Air Force documents and photography, and materials obtained from individual Tuskegee Airmen.

Wings for War (1943-1945) covers the experiences of the men of the 99th Fighter Squadron and later the 322nd Fighter Group, all-Black fighter units which participated in the Allied campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy during World War II, and their commander, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.

Era of Change (1945-1981), including many materials from the U.S. armed forces and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), covers the desegregation of the armed forces; military pilots' participation in the Korean and Vietnam wars (featuring William Earl Brown, Jr.; Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr.; Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.); general aviation (John W. Green, Jr.; Neal Loving); commercial aviation (Perry H. Young, Jr.; James O. Plinton, Jr.); and the U.S. space program, including not just the first Black astronauts (Guion S. Bluford, Jr.; Ronald E. McNair; Frederick D. Gregory; Charles F. Bolden) but many other NASA professional men and women from Project Mercury through the beginning of the Space Shuttle era.

Most of the material was photocopied from other sources such as books, newspapers, periodicals, and other archival collections, but many copy photographs and anecdotes were obtained from the aviators themselves (or their families), particularly those active in the 1930s and 1940s. The collection also contains internal Museum documents, notes, and memoranda regarding the development and implementation of the various "Black Wings" productions, including portions of exhibit scripts, book manuscripts, ephemera, and Museum photography taken at the exhibit opening and the symposium. Photographic formats include prints, copy prints, 4 x 5 inch black and white copy negatives and color transparencies, and 35mm copy slides. Quality of the photography is often fair to poor, as the copies are several generations removed from the original images.

The last six boxes of the collection (currently unprocessed) consists of material collected circa 2000 by curator Cathleen S. Lewis and Ian Cook (NASM Department of Space History) for a proposed update to the "Black Wings" exhibit. After it became clear that the exhibit was not going to be updated, Lewis transferred the material to the NASM Aeronautics Department, as Hardesty and Pisano were contemplating an update to the Black Wings book. This, too, failed to materialize, and the material was transferred to the NASM Archives in May 2018 to be added to the existing Black Wings Exhibit and Book Collection. This series was received by the Museum's Archives Division after the existing collection material had been scanned; it has not been scanned.

Arrangement:

The collection is divided into six series. The first four roughly chronological series (Exhibit, Book, Educational Outreach, and Symposium) relate to the different "Black Wings" productions, and materials within each series often reflect the four-section groupings detailed in the Scope and Content note. The next series, Research Materials, has four sub-series: Biographical Files (alphabetical by last name), Subject Files and Study Materials (alphabetical by subject), Photographic Negatives, and Photographic Prints and Illustrations. The last series houses later additions to the collection which are currently unprocessed. Materials within folders are predominantly photocopies (xerographs) and often include numerous duplicates, many unlabeled, and in no specific order. Materials relating to an exhibit often include a NASM Exhibits Department reference number (example: SE:13-L73-P58 to P59) indicating the exhibit number (13), label number (L73), and position within the exhibit (P58 to P59). Some materials are not visible online due to copyright restrictions.

Biographical / Historical:

On September 23, 1982, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) exhibit "Black Wings: The American Black in Aviation" opened as part of the existing "Pioneers of Aviation" exhibit located in Gallery 208 of the museum's National Mall Building in Washington, D.C. The exhibit was dedicated to the American Black Aviator, who anonymously played a historic role in shaping the growth of modern aviation. "Black Wings" encompasses the men and women who had to overcome enormous social pressures in order to gain the right to pursue the dream of flight in both civilian, military, and commercial circles. The exhibit generated much public and media interest, and inspired the Museum to sponsor a symposium on February 25, 1983, entitled "The American Black in Aviation, A Decade of Change: 1939-1949," (working title: "Tuskegee Airmen at War") featuring presentations by historians and U. S. Army Air Forces veterans including Noel F. Parrish (Commander, Tuskegee Army Air Field, 1942-1946), George F. Roberts (Commander, 99th Fighter Squadron, September 1943 to April 1944), and pilots Lewis A. Jackson, Elwood T. Driver, and Louis R. Purnell. In conjunction with the exhibit, the Museum, working with Sid Aaronson Films, Inc., produced a set of sound filmstrip packages designed for elementary and secondary school use. In 1983, the Smithsonian Institution Press published a companion book, Black Wings: The American Black in Aviation, authored by the exhibit's curators, Von Hardesty and Dominick Pisano; a second edition was issued the following year as part of the Smithsonian History of Aviation and Spaceflight series. A Smithsonian Institution Travelling Exhibition Service (SITES) version of the exhibit began circulating to other museums and venues in June 1983, and a expanded version of the SITES exhibit (featuring additional artifacts, photography, and audio-visual materials) was displayed April 1 to August 5, 1984, at the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum (later know as the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum) in Washington, D.C. The original NASM "Black Wings" exhibit—with occasional updates—remained on display in the "Pioneers of Flight" gallery (later renamed the "Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight Gallery") until 2019 when the gallery was closed due to renovations to the Museum's National Mall Building.

Related Materials:

"Black Wings: African American Pioneer Aviators" NASM Website Collection, NASM.2004.0026 [finding aid not available online]

Provenance:

National Air and Space Museum (NASM) Department of Aeronautics, Transfer, 1993, NASM.1993.0060; additional material transferred from NASM Department of Space History, 2018

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  Search this

aeronautics, civil  Search this

Aeronautics, Commercial  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Air pilots  Search this

Women air pilots  Search this

Women in aeronautics  Search this

African American air pilots  Search this

African American women air pilots  Search this

Women in technology  Search this

Astronauts  Search this

Astronautics  Search this

United States Air Force  Search this

World War, 1939-1945 -- Black people -- United States  Search this

Korean War, 1950-1953  Search this

Vietnam War, 1961-1975  Search this

Genre/Form:

Correspondence

Photographs

Citation:

Black Wings Exhibit and Book Collection, Acc. NASM.1993.0060, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.1993.0060

See more items in:

Black Wings Exhibit and Book Collection

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg27c62d0c6-784f-4db6-9a31-26160b8635a1

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1993-0060

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 -- Black people  Search this

World War, 1939-1945  Search this

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

World War, 1939-1945 -- Black people -- 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

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2478d6822-702d-43c9-af06-8cc8d8b9fca3

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-1992-0023

Author:

Burke, Laurence M. II 1969-  Search this

Physical description:

xxvii, 339 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates illustrations 24 cm

Type:

Books

History

Place:

United States

États-Unis

Date:

2022

20th century

20e siècle

Topic:

Aeronautics, Military--History  Search this

Naval aviation--History  Search this

Aéronautique militaire--Histoire  Search this

HISTORY / Military / Aviation  Search this

HISTORY / Military / United States  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Naval aviation  Search this

Data Source:

Smithsonian Libraries

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:siris_sil_1158489

Creator:

United States. Navy  Search this

Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company  Search this

Names:

Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company  Search this

United States. Navy  Search this

Extent:

1.51 Cubic feet (2 records center boxes)

2.27 Linear feet

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Financial records

Drawings

Date:

1918-1969

bulk 1919-1919

Summary:

This collection consists of reports on the design, construction, and testing of the NC series flying boats and photographs of NC-4's construction and transatlantic flight.

Scope and Contents:

This collection consists of reports on the design, construction, and testing of the NC series flying boats and photographs and 3 negatives of the NC-4's construction and transatlantic flight. The collection is set up in a series of books with two copies of each book, except books 11 and 13. There is some water damage to book 10. Due to the fact that book 5 contained oversize materials, both copies of this book are filed out of sequence in box 4.

Arrangement:

The collection is set up in a series of books with two copies of each book, except books 11 and 13. There is some water damage to book 10. Due to the fact that book 5 contained oversize materials, both copies of this book are filed out of sequence in box 4.

Biographical/Historical note:

In 1917, during World War I, the United States Navy sent out specification for a flying boat of sufficient range to cross the Atlantic Ocean by air to Great Britain, where it would serve as an anti-submarine patrol aircraft. The Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company, in conjunction with the United States Navy, developed a three-engine aircraft to meet these specifications. The first of the new aircraft was the NC-1 that flew for the first time on October 4, 1918. This was followed by the NC-2 whose maiden flight took place on April 12, 1919 with four engines in tandem pairs. The engine arrangement of the NC-2 had been declared unsatisfactory for the mission and the wings were removed and installed on the NC-1 to replace the originals that had been damaged in a storm. By this time, World War I had ended, but the Navy decided to continue the program in an effort to make the first transatlantic flight crossing by air. The new NC-3 and NC-4 models reverted to the three-engine format, although the NC-4 had a fourth engine mounted as a pusher behind the center engine. On May 16, 1919 the NC-1, NC-3 and NC-4 assembled at Trepassy Bay, Newfoundland, under the command of Commander John H. Towers, to begin the 1400-mile flight to the Azores. The NC-1 was forced down short of the island and sank. Naval vessels stationed along the flight path rescued the crew of the NC-1. The NC-3 landed two hundred miles short and taxied the remaining distance to the island. Only the NC-4 completed the flight successfully, reaching Plymouth, England, via Lisbon, Portugal, on May 31, 1919. Following publicity tours of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, the Curtiss NC-4 was given over to the Smithsonian Institution and is now part of the National Air and Space Museum collection.

Provenance:

Lee Pearson, XXXX-0422, 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:

Seaplanes  Search this

Aeronautics  Search this

Curtiss NC-4 (P2N-1)  Search this

Curtiss NC-Boat Family  Search this

Aeronautics, Military  Search this

Genre/Form:

Financial records

Drawings

Citation:

Curtiss NC-4 Design, Construction, and Testing Reports, Acc. XXXX-0422, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NASM.XXXX.0422

See more items in:

Curtiss NC-4 Design, Construction, and Testing Reports

Archival Repository:

National Air and Space Museum Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2dc82368c-f25a-4738-bfef-00fd2ed97574

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-nasm-xxxx-0422