Eighth Air Force Archive: Collected Papers

• 8AF News Files: Manuscripts, dates needed; Quantity: 5.0 cubic feet; Arrangement: Manuscripts arranged alphabetically by title. Sub-series contains manuscripts for published books on Eighth Air Force subjects, mostly autobiographies.  The short stories are arranged by 8th Air Force command structure, then numerically within each type of group. Series contains short stories that were submitted to the 8AF News for possible publication. They are autobiographical, reliving the experiences of bombing missions, base life, or training in the United States.  Also included are issue notes of volumes three to thirteen, by John Woolnough, the first 8AF News editor. There are notes and papers concerning the material to be used in up-coming editions, and production information for the newsletter. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically, then chronologically. Series contains correspondence to Jim Hill, the second editor.  Lastly issues of the 8AF News from 1975-2000 are arranged chronologically. It is the official publication of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society.
• Correspondence, 1976-1997 (bulk, 1985-1997); Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically. Sub-series contains correspondence from officers of the 8AFHS and 8AFMMF. There is also a letter from Jimmy Stewart.  Also correspondence from state chapters, the 8AFMMF and individuals.
•  Artwork, Undated; Quantity: 5 items Sub-series contains lithographs and paintings depicting famous aerial combat scenes from the war.
• WWII Papers, 1940-1945 (bulk 1942-1945); Quantity: 4.0 cubic feet Sub-series contains original copies and photocopies of documents, booklets and workbooks relating to the Eighth Air Force. Items include reports and notices arranged numerically by group, original copies and photocopies of documents such as notices from headquarters groups to bomber and fighter groups and squadrons and reports about bomber missions. There is also a folder containing papers from the War Crime Office.  Also included are cartoons, poems, songs, war bride material, war maps, POW materials, flight records, citations and awards, diaries and scrapbooks, a telephone directory a Christmas card, and station lists and strength reports, newspaper clippings from 1939-1945, which includes war maps and major stories from newspapers around the country. There are also articles from various magazines during the war period.  In addition, materials from individuals who served in the Eighth Air Force. Items include diaries, WAC papers, navigator's logs from Lincoln, Nebraska to England, aviation maps from Washington, D.C. to Gander, Newfoundland to Prestwick, Scotland, and aviation maps of wartime England. There are also papers about the Crossroads Project, an atomic bomb test in the Pacific in 1946.
•  Missing Air Crew Reports, 1942-1945; Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet Sub-series contains missing aircrew reports (MACRs) for various bomb groups and squadrons. Most of the reports are from the 390th Bomb Group.

WWII Training Manuals and Classroom Work

• WWII Training Manuals and Classroom Work, 1940-1945 (bulk 1943-1945), Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet Sub-series contains booklets that cover most of the areas of training that aircraft crews learned in preparation for fighting. Some of the books are about bombsights, machine guns, use of a compass, mines and booby traps, physics and math manuals, safety rules and regulations, a German phrase book and "A List of Phrases in Five Languages". There are also booklets from different training camps around the United States. The classroom work done by the students mainly consists of weather maps and question sheets for pilots.
• 8AF Reference Files, 1945-2003; Quantity: 3.2 cubic feet Sub-series contains material dealing with the present day discussions of 8AF or World War II in general. Topics include the atomic bomb stamp, commemorations and reunions, the Glenn Miller band, RAF and Polish squadrons, Jimmy Stewart, present day calendars with refurbished aircraft, WAC material, the Greenland Expedition Society, and B-24 Liberators. There are also oversized materials of calendars of aircraft, reproduction paintings of aircraft, and a scrapbook of Nazi leaders.

• Reunions and Symposiums, 1976-1998, Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged chronologically. Sub-series contains papers, brochures and pamphlets from reunions and symposiums that have taken place in the U.S., England, and Europe.

• Post World War II Articles, 1957-1998, (bulk 1974-1998), Quantity: 1 cubic feet; Arrangement: Newspaper clippings and journal articles are arranged chronologically. Sub-series contains newspaper clippings from 1957 to the present documenting stories of members and their accomplishments, and aircraft from the Eighth Air Force.
• Membership Lists, 1967-2003, Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged by Eighth Air Force command structure, then numerically within each group.  Sub-series contains membership rosters for command groups, ground groups, fighter groups, and bomber groups.
• Artifacts, 1970s-2009, Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet; Sub-series includes various shoulder patches, military insignia, and campaign ribbons.  Also bumper and window stickers showcasing the 8th Air Force.

Peter Ardizzi Papers

• Peter Ardizzi Papers, 1940-2002; Quantity: 1 cubic feet; Items include materials collected during the war years, photos of the 440th Sub Depot and 482nd Bomber Group, flags and 8th Air Force banners.

Josephine Klein Ardizzi Papers

• Josephine Klein Ardizzi Papers, 1943-1945; Quantity; 0.1 cubic feet; Items include correspondence, programs and photos regarding the WACs in England during the war.

John Greenwood Papers

• Bomb Group Photos, 1942-1945; Quantity: 2 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged by aircraft type, B-17s and B-24s, then bomb group number.  Sub-series includes B-17photos show nose art of various aircraft and crews posing in front of their aircraft.  The B-24 photos show crews posing in front of their aircraft.  Some crews are identified.
• Reference Files, 1927-2002; Quantity: 12.5 cubic feet; Arrangement: Sub-series includes files used by Mr. Greenwood for various projects that the 8th Air Force Historical Society and the 8th Air Force Memorial Museum Foundation were working on and materials that other veterans sent to Mr. Greenwood.  Items include photos from Hondo Texas AAF Training Base, missing air crew reports, lists of Americans buried in European cemeteries, scrapbooks, Mighty Eighth Heritage Museum papers, 8th Air Force Memorial control tower building in Dayton information, meeting minutes and correspondence.

Ed Kueppers Papers

• General, 1991-1999; Quantity: 2.0 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically, then chronologically. Sub-series contains correspondence to Ed Kueppers, Information Officer for the 8AFHS, requesting information on individuals, aircraft, and battles concerning the Eighth Air Force.

Dennis Scanlan Papers

• Eighth Air Force Historical Society, 1975-1989 (bulk 1975-1986); Quantity: 0.8 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged chronologically. Sub-series contains correspondence and papers about the board of directors, lifetime members of the 8AFHS, reunions, and symposiums.
• Memorial Museum Foundation, 1982-1987; Quantity: 0.4 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged chronologically. Sub-series contains correspondence with 8AFMMF members, reunions, symposiums, board of directors, and the Dayton Memorial Ceremony in 1982.
• Correspondence, 1976-1992; Quantity: 0.1 cubic feet Sub-series contains correspondence to Adolf Galland, German fighter pilot ace, Roger Freeman, Eighth Air Force historian, James Doolittle, and correspondence to others.
• Reference Files, no date; Quantity: 0.1 cubic feet Sub-series contains papers on the designer of the P-51 Mustang and other topics.
• Lithographs, no date, Quantity: 10 framed lithographs Sub-series contains framed lithographs depicting various aerial combat scenes.

John Woolnough Papers

• Eighth Air Force Historical Society, 1979-1989, Quantity: 0.5 cubic feet Sub-series contains correspondence and papers relating to committees, officers, mailings, and advertising.
• Reunions, 1982-1987; Quantity: 1.5 cubic feet Sub-series contains correspondence, pamphlets, notes, and information on yearly Eighth Air Force reunions held from 1982-1987.
• 8AF News, 1983-1991; Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet Sub-series contains correspondence to and from Mr. Woolnough during his tenure as the editor of the 8AF News.
• Reference Files, 1976-1992 (bulk 1981-1989); Quantity: 5.0 cubic feet Sub-series contains correspondence, pamphlets and papers concerning yearly reunions, correspondence with air force bases, Eighth Air Force unit contacts, membership, and awards.

John Humphries Materials

• World War II, 1941-1947; Quantity: 2.0 cubic feet Sub-series contains correspondence, books, medals, orders, commendations, and two army dress jackets.
•  Post World War II, 1965-1975, Quantity: 0.1 cubic feet Sub-series contains materials related to reunions of the 6th Support Squadron.
•  World War I, 1917-1919, Quantity: 0.3 cubic feet Sub-series contains photos, a Christmas card, scrapbook, medals and corporal’s stripes.

Bronze star, courtesy of John Humphries

Fielder Newton Papers, 1943-2006, Quantity: 0.8 cubic feet Series contains posters, artifacts and photos of World War II and the 389th Bomber Group.

Joe DeShay Papers

Joe DeShay Papers, 1944-2002, Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet Sub-series contains 357th Fighter Group and veteran’s association.  Included papers are encounter reports from 1944 to 1945, membership lists from 1967 to 2000, journal articles from 1945 to 2001, and reunions from 1967 to 2002.

Dave Borland Papers

Dave Borland Papers, 1943-2006, Quantity: 0.5 cubic feet Series contains a B-24 model, framed posters and a lead crew commendation for the 2nd Wing, 389th Bomber Group.

Arnold Anderson Papers

Arnold Anderson Papers, 1942-2006 (bulk 1976-2006); Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet Sub-series contains information regarding the 305th Bomber Group and veteran’s association.  Included papers are rosters, correspondence, reunion information, and clippings from Stars and Stripes.

Veterans Groups and Memorial Societies

• Eighth Air Force Historical Society (8AFHS), 1980s-1995, Quantity: 0.5 cubic feet Sub-series contains meeting agendas and minutes, financial information, officers' lists, board of directors' information, and papers from the Pennsylvania chapter.
• Eighth Air Force Memorial Museum Foundation (8AFMMF), 1982-1996; Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet Sub-series contains board of directors meeting minutes from 1982-1986, 1990-1996 and financial papers.

95th Bomb Group Materials

• Anthology, undated; Quantity:1.0 cubic feet Sub-series mostly consists of short autobiographical stories for Ian Hawkins' book about the 95th Bomb Group. Also included are Ian Hawkins' correspondence and contract and general correspondence concerning the 95th.
• General Material, 1984-1986; Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet Sub-series consists of meeting minutes from 1984 to 1986, the bylaws and constitution, information about the 95BG restaurant, a memorial wall, and the reorganization of the group. There are drawings and diagrams of the German FW-190 and Me109 aircraft and copies of post mission interrogations for the 95BG.

355th Fighter Group Records

•  Correspondence, 1943-1981 (bulk 1975-1981); Quantity: 1.3 cubic feet Sub-series contains correspondence in individuals and topics related to the 355th Fighter Group. Notable correspondents are General Ira Eaker, first commanding general of the Eighth Air Force, E.R. Quesada, another Eighth Air Force general, and James Doolittle. There is also correspondence to and from fighter newsletters and authors writing books about fighter groups and pilots. There is also correspondence on reunions, membership drives, and the Steeple Morden memorial.
•  Board of Directors Meetings, 1976-1981; Quantity: 0.1 cubic feet Sub-series contains meeting minutes from board of directors meetings.
•  Administrative Files, 1976-1981; Quantity: 0.4 cubic feet Sub-series contains papers related to the running of the 355th Fighter Group Veterans' Association. Included are financial papers, bylaws and constitution, a group history project, PX items such as pins, decals, stickers, buttons and patches, and aircraft serial numbers, names and aircraft codes.
•  Membership Files 1976-1978; Quantity: 1.3 cubic feet Sub-series contains correspondence between members of the 355th Fighter Group Veteran's Association and the association secretary.  Also contains contains registration forms and correspondence for persons waiting to become members of the veteran's group.
•  Reference Files, 1942-1984; Quantity: 2.2 cubic feet Sub-series contains materials from the war period and in post war years. Among the papers from the war period are diaries, a Glenn Miller Band program, a 2nd Scouting Force unit history, a combat chronology from March to June 1944, tour booklets of Britain and Scotland, postcards of England, and photos. Papers from later years include lists of fighter aces and fighter scores, the Glenn Miller Society, individual squadron histories and insignias, U.S. training base histories, maps of Steeple Morden, East Anglia, posters, oversized photos of squadrons, record site plans for the group air base, and newspaper clippings.
•  World War II Papers, 1942-1977 (bulk 1942-1945); Quantity: 1.0 cubic feet Sub-series contains special orders, commendations and decorations, fighter aces, encounter reports, combat and flight records, narrative reports and orders, stories of crossing the Atlantic Ocean, journals, recreation, commanders biographies, newspaper clippings, and newsletters, and the group's occupation of a German base in 1945.

96th Bomb Group Records

• 96th Bomb Group Records, 1942-1999; Quantity: 2.3 cubic feet Series contains records from the war period including POW materials, camp newsletters, photos, and individual’s papers.  Other papers include correspondence and information regarding the veteran’s group after the war.

Western Pennsylvania Wing

• Western Pennsylvania Wing, 8th Air Force Historical Society, 2001-2007; Quantity: 0.3 cubic feet Series contains newspaper articles and other information regarding the group, and a photo scrapbook and posthumous award for Archibald Mathies.

Newsletter Collection

This subgroup contains newsletters from veteran’s organizations that began in the 1960s and continues to the present.  Newsletters contain information about veterans, their war stories, lists of deceased members, and upcoming events, such as reunions and symposiums.

•  Headquarters and Ground Units, 1963-2009; Quantity: 1.8 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged by 8th Air Force Command structure, then numerically by group.  
•  Fighter Groups, 1981-2002; Quantity: 0.9 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged by 8th Air Force Command structure, then numerically.
•  Bomber Groups, Medium, 1984-1997; Quantity: 0.1 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged by 8th Air Force Command structure, then numerically.
•  Bomber Squadrons, 1981-1997; Quantity: 0.1 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged by 8th Air Force Command structure, then numerically.
•  Bomber Groups, 1976-2010; Quantity: 6.2 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged by 8th Air Force Command structure, then numerically.
•  State Chapters, 1984-2010; Quantity: 1.6 cubic feet; Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by state.  As veteran’s aged, they could not travel great distances for meetings and reunions, so they established state chapters in order to continue to hold meetings and reunions.
•  Memorial Societies, 1975-2010; Quantity: 2.4 cubic feet: Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by journal title.  Organizations include various aircraft associations, bombardier, navigator, and gunner associations, other air forces associations, and escape and evasion associations.