The Civil Rights History Project: Survey of Collections and Repositories

Alan Osur: Integration in the Air Force

Repository: U.S. Air Force Academy. McDermott Library Special Collections

Collection Description (Extant): This collection consists of materials gathered by Alan Osur in support of the publication of his book "Blacks in the Army Air Forces During World War II." There is a series of oral histories and interviews conducted in 1972-74. Interviewees include William R. Jackson, Lt Gen Alvan C. Gillem, Jr., Dr. Lawrence S. Kubie, David A. Smith, Maj George Martin, Mrs. Edith Aronowitz, Lt Col Robert Ashby, as well as interviews that have been transcribed as part of the Department of History oral history collection at the US Air Force Academy.

This collection also contains photos; files and microfilm of black-owned newspapers in the US,1940-45; copies of files from the Secretary of War, 1940-48; reports, 1940-1972, consisting of official reports of investigations reflecting various aspects of the successes and failures in the struggle to integrate the Army Air Corps.

Access Copy Note: Researchers may access collection materials at the repository by appointment.

Date(s): 1972-1974

Digital Status: No

Existing IDs: SMS 970

Extent: 5 reel-to-reel tapes; transcripts and collateral information

Finding Aid: Finding Aid available at US Air Force Academy Special Collections

Language: English

Interviewees: William R. Jackson, Alvan C. Gillem, Jr., DLawrence S. Kubie, David A. Smith, George Martin, Mrs. Edith Aronowitz, Robert Ashby

Rights (CRHP): Contact the repository which holds the collection for information on rights

Subjects:

Discrimination in the military
United States. Air Force
World War, 1939-1945--Participation, African American

Genres:

Interviews
Sound recordings
Transcripts