The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Donald Garrett Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10191
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Donald L. Garrett Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10191
Physical Description:
.3 Cubic Feet
The collection contains items reflecting Mr. Garrett's career as a civilian Army Air Force flight instructor, including flight
training instructions and correspondence
The collection consists of two archival boxes, 15-1/2 x 5 x 10-1/2 inches and 12-1/2 x 5 x 10-1/2 inches.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: The collection contains items reflecting Mr. Garrett's career as a civilian Army Air Force flight instructor, including flight
training instructions and correspondence
Biographical / Historical
Donald Leroy Garrett was born on October 24, 1917 in Franklin, Nebraska. Little information has been found about his education
and early years. He was qualified as a pilot and was a civilian flight instructor for the U.S. Army Air Force.
He was employed by Consolidated Aircraft Corp., from December 21, 1936 to April 21, 1939 as a Department Clerk, Wing.
From January 12, 1943 to June 27, 1945, he was employed by Southwest Airways, Inc. of Phoenix, Arizona, as a Civilian Army
Flight Instructor at Thunderbird Airport in Glendale Arizona. Judging from the correspondence he received from his current
and former students, he was very well respected and was a very successful flight instructor.
Mr. Garrett died on March 10, 2012, in San Diego, California, and was survived by his brother Wayne, three children, four
grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to research by appointment, some restrictions may apply.
Scope and Contents
Description: The collection consists of two archival boxes, 15-1/2 x 5 x 10-1/2 inches and 12-1/2 x 5 x 10-1/2 inches.
Content Notes: The collection contains items reflecting Mr. Garrett's career as a civilian Army Air Force flight instructor,
including flight training instructions and correspondence.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Pacific Airways Inc.
Thunderbird Airport
Garrett, Donald
Series I: Military Records
Folder 1 -- Pilot Training Instructions.
Folder 2 -- Manual, "Flying Regulations, Thunderbird Airport, Phoenix AZ, October 1, 1941, revised November 1, 1942."
Series II: Pilot Training Records
Folder 3 -- Career Documents and Papers.
Folder 4 -- 15 small spiral notebooks, 2-3/4" x 4-3/4" records of pilot training classes, March 15, 1943 to May 21, 1945.
Series III: Magazines, Newspapers, Albums
Folder 5 -- Magazines (13 issues), "The Thunderbird," July 1943 to June 1944.
Folder 6 -- Copy of San Diego Union, December 8, 1941, headline "Japan at War with U.S.
Series III: Magazines, Newspapers, Albums (continued)
Folder 1 -- Thunderbird Field Class Album, Class of 44G.
Folder 2 -- Thunderbird Field Class Album, Class of 44I (2 copies).
Series IV: Correspondence
Folder 3 -- Correspondence from Former Student Pilots, 1943.
Folder 4 -- Correspondence from Former Student Pilots, 1944.
Folder 5 -- Correspondence from Former Student Pilots, 1945.
Folder 6 -- Personal Documents and Papers.
Folder 7 -- Personal Correspondence, 1939.
Folder 8 -- Personal Correspondence, 1951.
