The Descriptive Finding Guide for the John Sachs Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10164
AR
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
7/2016
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: John Charles Sachs Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10164
Physical Description:
.25 Cubic Feet
This collection consists primarily of Sach’s U.S. Naval and Civil Service records, as well as photographs, manuscripts, and
newsletters related to his time in the Navy.
This collection of nine files is housed in one archival box
12x5x10.5 inches
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: John Charles Sachs served in the US Navy for 20 years. He served on three ships, the USS Williamson (DD244), the USS Fabius
(ARV(A)5), and the USS Philippine Sea (CVA47); in two aircraft squadrons, VP-14 and VC-35; and two tours of shore duty at
NAS Jacksonville and NAS North Island.
Biographical / Historical
John Charles Sachs was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 15, 1919 to John Howard Sachs and Edna Erdman Sachs. He joined
the United States Navy at age seventeen on November 2, 1937 and served on three ships, the USS Williamson (DD244), the USS
Fabius (ARV(A)5), and the USS Philippine Sea (CVA47); in two aircraft squadrons, VP-14 and VC-35; and two tours of shore duty
at NAS Jacksonville and NAS North Island. Sachs was honorably discharged as an Aviation Structural Mechanic Chief on June
17, 1957. In October 1964, he went to work at North Island Naval Air Station starting as an Aircraft Metals Worker and advancing
to Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic. During his tenure, he received five Letters of Commendation, four Letters of Appreciation,
two Certificates of Merit, a Superior Achievement Award, and a Sustained Superior Performance Award. Mr. Sachs was a member
of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, and avid proponent of the Mount Soledad Memorial Wall. He was beloved for his
positive spirit and generosity. He passed away on November 26, 2014 in La Mesa, California and is buried at Miramar National
Cemetery.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to research by appointment. Some copyright restrictions may apply.
Scope and Contents
Description: This collection of nine files is housed in one archival box, 12x5x10.5.
Content notes: This collection consists primarily of Sach’s U.S. Naval and Civil Service records, as well as photographs,
manuscripts, and newsletters related to his time in the Navy
Related Materials
Ship Files and VP-14 file.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), Attack on, 1941
Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14)
Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina
USS Williamson (DD244),
USS Philippine Sea (CVA47);
Sachs, John Charles
Folder 1 – Naval and Civil Service Records
Physical Description: 1. DD214 photocopy; Notice of Separation original; Attack Squadron 55 Duty Orders; certificates
2. Last Will & Testament, 1951.
3. Kaneohe Klipper newsletter, Oct. 18, 1941.
4. Personnel “Welcome Aboard” packet for NASNI, San Diego, 1967.
Folder 2 – Naval Memoirs
Physical Description: 1. Typewritten essay about Sach’s personal and military history. 2. Xerox copy of handwritten essay about the crash of R3D
on Mother Grundy Peak, January 2, 1941.
Folder 3 – John Finn’s Birthday and Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Celebration
Physical Description: 1. John Finn was the first Medal of Honor recipient of World War II and former shipmate of John Sachs. Sachs was involved
with putting up a memorial plaque at Mt. Soledad in his honor. This folder contains articles, photocopied photographs, and
programs related to John Finn’s birthday celebrations and the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial Celebration.
Folder 4 – VC-35 “Expanding the Mission – The VC Squadrons”
Physical Description: 1. “Night Hookers, Part II, 1945-1954, Expanding the Mission – The VC Squadrons,” by Capt. Harry Ettinger, USN (Ret). Article
from THE HOOK, Summer 1988, reprinted for the VC-35 – VA(AW)35 Association.
Folder 5 – “Wings & Wake 1955, USS Philippine Sea CVA-47
Folder 6 – “‘This is the Way I Remember It’ The PBY-5 Catalina, VP-14, 14-P-11, Transcontinental Transfer Flight,” by AMC
John Charles Sachs USN (Ret.)
Folder 7 – Newsletters
Physical Description: 1. PBY Catalina International Association, Vol 19, No. 2, August 2007
2. VC-35 VA(AW)-35 Association, Vol. 8, Issue 1, January 2001
3. VC-35 VA(AW)-35 Association, Vol. 11, Issue 1, January 2004
4. VC-35 VA(AW)-35 Association, Vol. 17, Issue 1, January 2010
Folder 9 – Xerox copies of photographs with captions
