The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Robert M. Williams Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10158

Daniel Schlachet

San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives

12/05/2014

2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park

San Diego 92101

URL: http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/

Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives

Title: Robert M. Williams Personal Papers

Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10158

Physical Description: 0.45 Cubic Feet one box measuring 15 ¼ x 10 ¼ x 5 inches.

Date (inclusive): 1914-1971

Abstract: Robert Williams served as a pilot for the U.S. Army during World War I, after which he held multiple aviation jobs and continued to serve in the Reserve in World War II as a Colonel.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Conditions Governing Use

Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.

Preferred Citation

[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum Library & Archives”]

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

Biographical / Historical

Robert M. Williams, born in 1898, received his pilot license while in the Army during World War I, and later served with the 158th Aero Pursuit Squadron in France. After his discharge, Robert was hired as a test pilot, aerobatic instructor, barnstormer, and an air mail pilot. He was summoned from the Air Corps Reserve in World War II as a full Colonel. With the end of World War II, Williams resided in Phoenix, Arizona until his death in 1971. Photos from his collection depict much of his time spent in France with his unit.

Scope and Contents

The collection is one box measuring 15 ¼ x 10 ¼ x 5 inches. It contains journals, photographs, personal documents, maps, memorandum, and memorabilia from World War I, travel communication receipts from World War II, and post-war publications. The collection is arranged by material type.

Related Materials

World War One Subject Files

Subjects and Indexing Terms

World War, 1914-1918

158th Aero Squadron

World War, 1939-1945

167th Aero Squadron

Williams, Robert M.

Box 01

Folder 01 – AEF documents

Physical Description: This folder contains an assortment of documents, including a monetary conversion table, an AEF Soldier’s letter, a poem, and popular songs of the AEF.

Folder 02 - Newspaper

Physical Description: This folder contains an entire newspaper page (June 9, 1971), and several newspaper clips regarding Robert William’s departure and return to and from the Great War, and his obituary.

Folder 03 – Military Associations

Physical Description: 1. Robert M. Williams, Sr.’s Name tag from the Air Force Silver Wings World War I Pilots Reunion. 2. Certificate from The Confederate Air Corps, December 15, 1958.

Folder 04 – Maps

Physical Description: 1. Map of the Globe 2. Map of French territories. 3. Map of France

Folder 05 – Miscellaneous

Physical Description: 1. Pocketbook diary, 1918. 2. 2 pieces of a doctor’s note 3. Ticket for the Aeronautical Exposition, March 1st to Marchc 15th, 1919.

Folder 06 – Cross & Cockade Journal

Physical Description: 1. Cross of Cockade Journal: The Society of World War 1 Aero Historians/Volume 5/Number2/Summer 1964.

Folder 07 – Pop’s Book – Robert’s Biography

Physical Description: In this folder is Robert William’s autobiography, written at 75 years old.

Folder 08 – Collection of memos, receipts, certificates

Physical Description: This folder contains a book of over a hundred memos, receipts, and certificates.

Folder 09 - Scrapbook

Physical Description: This folder contains Robert Williams’ personal diary and scrapbook with dozens of pages of handwritten entries, newspaper clips, and photographs.

Folder 10 - Photographs

Physical Description: This folder contains 27 photographs (duplicates included) of Williams and his time in England and/or France.