The Papers of Jacqueline Cochran SDASM.SC.10028-O/S
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
2010
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA, 92101
(619) 234-8291
Title: The Jacqueline Cochran Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10028-O/S
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.4 Linear feet
1 manuscript box
Date (inclusive): 1908-1980
Abstract: This collection contains papers relating to Jacqueline Cochran's distinguished aviation career. Cochran earned her pilot's
license in 1932 and went on to help form the Women Airforce Service Pilots group during World War II.
creator:
Cochran, Jacqueline, 1906?-1980
Orphaned at an early age, the exact date of “Jackie” Cochran’s birth is unknown. However, we do know that her most distinguished
aviation career began in 1932 when she obtained her pilot’s license after only three weeks of instruction. From this point
on, she dedicated her life to aviation. Participating in her first air race in 1934, she earned the respect of fellow pilots
for her competitive spirit and high skill. Her performance in various aviation events of the 1930s is legendary. Cochran is
credited with many significant flight accomplishments attained during her flying career. Among these is her 1964 flight in
the F-104 Starfighter where she established a speed record of 1,429 miles per hour. At the beginning of World War II she became
a Wing Commander in the British Auxiliary Transport Service, ferrying U.S. built Hudson bombers to England. With the U.S.
entry into the War, she offered her services to the Army Air Corps and formed the famed Women’s Air Force Service Pilots.
This group, over 1,000 strong, played a major role in the delivery of aircraft to the combat areas throughout the world. For
this service she was awarded the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal. Some of the honors she has been accorded include the Harmon
trophy, the General William E. Mitchell Award, Gold Medal of the Federation Aeronauteque, and decorations from the numerous
other countries.
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
This collection covers Jacqueline Cochran’s admirable career as a pilot and speed record holder, and covers her many valuable
contributions to the aviation world. This collection contains the certificates, awards and honors earned by Cochran throughout
her distinguished career, as well as some newspaper clippings and photographs. The materials cover the time span of Cochran’s
career, from 1939 until 1978, and consists of a variety of materials relating to the life and achievements of this great aviator.
[Item], Jacqueline Cochran Collection, Archives, San Diego Air & Space Museum
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
United States. Army Air Forces.
Women Airforce Service Pilots
Box 1 of 1
Series I:Awards
Physical Description:
1. New York Newspaper Women’s Club – award may 20, 1955.
2. Dallas Council on World Affairs – Honorary citizenship of Dallas, Texas. March 26, 1954.
3. Womens National Aeronautic Association – Honorary member for 2 years. November 18, 1944.
4. Secondary Education Board - Annual Book Award. March 5, 1955.
5. Wives Wing of Aero Medical Association – Award of Honorary membership. March 30, 1954.
6. Jacksonville University – Distinguished Service Award. November 29, 1958.
7. Aero Club of Pittsburgh – Citation as testimonial to keeping aviation in the mind of the public.
8. Spirit of Achievement Award. 1962.
9. State of New York – Official Scroll of Honor. August 1, 1958.
10. Indio Exchange Club – Golden Deeds Award. May 13, 1948.
11. Ordre National de la Legion D’Honneur Republique Francais. 13 April, 1949.
12. National Lafayette Honor List – Record of Enrollment. March 6, 1954.
13. City of Los Angeles – Resolution Honoring Jacqueline Cochran’s contribution to the United States of America in aviation,
national defense, literature, politics and business. May 19, 1978.
Series II: Letters
Physical Description:
1. Credentials to act as President Eisenhower’s Special Representative at Inauguration of President Somoza of Nicaragua; letter
from President Somoza.
2. Letter from Jacqueline Cochran to Mrs. Sharron Temps thanking her for her letter. May 22, 1974.
3. Letter from the McDonnel Aircraft Corporation gifting Jacqueline Cochran the nameplate from the Seversky AP-4 Airplane
in which she won the bendix Trphy Race, 1938.
Series III: Certificates
Physical Description:
1. Civil Air Patrol – Certificate of rating as Command Pilot.
2. Air Power League – Certificate as Charter Member, 1945
3. Great Navy of the State of Nebraska – Appointment to Admiral. August 18, 1954.
4. National Aviation Clinic – Certificate as Consultant. 1946.
5. Turkish Air League – Certificate for Turkish Air Medal. November 3, 1949.
6. New York Herald Tribune – Divot Derby Certificate. 1952.
7. Lockheed Management Club – Certificate of Appreciation as guest Speaker. December 21, 1953.
8. Lockheed Georgia Company – Certificate of Completion of Jet Star Pilot Training and Lifetime Membership in the Jet Squires.
April 15, 1962.
9. VAH-1 – Certificate of Honorary Membership. June, 1960.
10. Air Force Association – Certificate as patron member of the association.
11. Nurses National Memorial – Certificate of appreciation presented to Odlum-Cochran Foundation. December 26, 1946.
12. Nurses National Memorial – Certificate of appreciation presented to Jacqueline Cochran. February 1, 1946.
13. National Organization of Angel Flight – Certificate of membership. 23 September, 1963.
14. Academy of Model Aeronautics – Certificate of membership. September 7, 1961.
15. Certificate declaring Jacqueline Cochran to be America’s First Lady of the Air.
16. Diploma Sportskog Pilota, Yugoslavia. 1959.
17. United States Air Force Recruiting Service – Certificate of Appreciation and Service. 18 April, 1957.
18. Armed Forces of the United States of America – Certificate of Retirement. 11 May, 1970.
Series IV: Honary Degrees
Physical Description:
1. Northland College – Honorary Doctor of Science.
2. Notre Dame College – Honorary Doctor of Science. 31 May 1970.
3. Elmira College – Honorary Doctor of Law. (in blue folder with photographs, newspaper clippings and letters). June 6 1955.
Series V: Speed Records
Physical Description:
1. National Aeronautic Association – Certificate of Record: 2000 km. Republic AP-7. April 6, 1940.
2. National Aeronautic Association – Certificate of Record: 100 km. Republic AP-7. April 20, 1940.
3. National Aeronautic Association – Certificate of Record: 2000 km. P-51. December 10, 1947.
4. National Aeronautic Association – Certificate of Record: 3 km. P-51 Feminine Record. December 17, 1947.
5. National Aeronautic Association – Certificate of Record: 2000 km. P-51 Feminine Record. May 22, 1948.
6. National Aeronautic Association – Certificate of Record: 1000 km. P-51 Feminine Record. May 24, 1948.
7. National Aeronautic Association – Certificate of Record: 16 km. P-51 World Class Record. April 9, 1951.
8. National Aeronautic Association – Certificate of Record: 500 km. P-51 World Class Record. December 29, 1949.
9. Federation Aeronautique Internationale – Diploma of Record: 100 km. T-38. May 18, 1953.
10. Federation Aeronautique Internationale – Diploma of Record: 500 km. T-38. May 23, 1953.
11. Federation Aeronautique Internationale – Diploma of Record: 15 km. T-38. June 3, 1953.
12. Federation Aeronautique Internationale – Diploma of Record: Feminine Altitude. T-38. May 24, 1953.
13. Mach Busters Club – Certificate for exceeding the speed of sound in a US Air Force F-86 Sabre Jet.
Series VI: Programs
Physical Description:
1. Macrorobertson International Air races – Official program (autographed) of Centenary Celebrations.
2. 24th Friendship Fete (sponsored by the Soroptimist Club of Philadelphia) – Program. April 28, 1962.
3. Federation Aeronautique Internationale – Conference Program. Held in Greece, 26 September – 1 October 1962. (In Greek,
French and English)
Series VII: Miscellaneous
Physical Description:
1. Envelope containing Window unfoil dropped over Germany to fool German Radar (given to Jacqueline Cochran by Dr. Alvarez)
2. Civio’s, Mexico City. Souvenir photograph of party at Civios, sent by Floyd Odlum to Jacqueline Cochran.
3. Long document, bound, written in French by General Catroux. 1959.