Linus Upson served with the 80th Fighter Group in the Second World War in the CBI Theater.

Tampa, Florida and graduated from the University of Tampa with a B.S. degree in 1941. He enlisted as a flying cadet in 1941 and was commissioned and awarded his pilot's wings in April, 1942. He flew 150 combat missions in the China-Burma-India Theater (C.B.I.) of World War II and later in the Korean conflict. Col. Upson was a command pilot and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with cluster, Air Medal with two clusters, and the Bronze Star medal. He married Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Standau, also of Tampa, in 1942 and had four children. Linus retired from the Air Force in 1966, settled in Northridge, CA and started a second career with Hughes Aircraft Company. When his wife Betty passed away in 2009, he moved to San Diego where he lived until his passing on May 2, 2014.

.35 Cubic Feet This collection contains Linus Upson’s memorabilia which include a large scrapbook, photographs, a CD with photographs, certificates, an autobiography, reunion booklets, cloth patches, and bio rosters. These documents are associated with Upson’s 80th Fighter Squadron unit that flew in China-Burma-India, also known as the “Burma Banshees.” Additional objects are stored in the curatorial department. Two oversized photographs – Upson_1 and Upson_2 – have been placed in the Oversized Materials Special Collection, OMSC_00001. This is a one box collection measuring 15 ¼ x 12 ½ x 5 inches.

The collection is open to research by appointment.