Collection Guide
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Hill (Charles) Personal Papers
SDASM.SC.10071
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Charles Augustus Hill Personal Papers
creator:
Hill, Charles A. (Charles Augustus)
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10071
Physical Description:
0.28 Cubic Feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1918-1941
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: The Charles A. Hill personal papers contain materials relating primarily to Hill's military career during World War I as an
Army Air Service pilot and aviation instructor at the 3rd Aviation Instruction Center.
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
[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 & Space Museum at an unkown date.
Charles A. Hill served in the Spanish American War and World War I, where he was stationed in France. There he was a commandant
of student flying officers and took part in raids until injured in a crash.
Charles Augustus Hill was born in New Jersey in 1881. An article within the collection, “Who’s Who in American Legion,” puts
Hill’s birth in 1883, but the United States Department of Veteran Affairs places his birth in 1881. This source, coupled with
his entry date into the army in 1899 have made 1881 the most official birthdate. Hill enlisted as a private in Troop M, Third
cavalry during the Spanish-American War and served until 1902 when he was honorably discharged.
After the outbreak of World War I, Hill reenlisted and was transferred to the air service and was stationed in Issoudun, France.
In France he was a commandant of student flying officers in the Third Aviation center and at this time he was also promoted
to captain. Shortly thereafter Hill was injured in a plane crash and it was determined that he could not continue with his
post in the air service. Hill was transferred to the office of the provost marshal general of the American Expeditionary Forces
and then later to the Division of Criminal Investigation. Hill returned to United States in 1919 and was honorably discharged
in October of 1920.
This collection is contained in one archive box 15x2.5x10.5 in. containing 6 folders. Items in this collection, all but four
from 1918 and 1919, include military orders and promotions, documents on Hill’s disability and retirement, sheet music, newspaper
clippings, identification cards, and a dog tag from World War I. Additionally, there are photographs, with copies on paper,
postcards, and original photocopies that are missing their original print. Oversized documents have been placed in a separate
folder, but are still housed in the archival box. The collection contains many copies, printed on non-archival paper, that
have all been housed by date in the last folder. One letter in the “Retirement and Discharge” folder has been transcribed
because the original was showing serious signs of deterioration. The original, the photocopy, and the typed letter all remain
with the collection
World War One Images in the 10 series.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War, 1914-1918
Issoudun (France)
Hoboken (New Jersey)
Flight training
Aircraft accidents
Aviation Instruction Center, 3rd (France)
Hill, Charles A. (Charles Augustus)
United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces. Division of Criminal Investigation
United States. Army. Air Service
Hill, Charles A. (Charles Augustus)
United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces