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William R. Melton papers
MS 233
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Title: William R. Melton papers
Date (inclusive): circa 1920-2004, undated
Date (bulk): 1944-1990
Collection Number: MS 233
Creator:
Melton, William Robert
Extent:
24.15 linear feet
(20 boxes, 2 flat file folders)
Repository:
Rivera Library. Special Collections Department.
Riverside, CA 92517-5900
Abstract: The William R. Melton papers are contained within the Tuskegee Airmen Archive. This archive consists of materials related
to those individuals who served at Tuskegee Army Air Field, and its predecessors, as well as materials pertaining to Tuskegee
Airmen, Inc., a non-profit organization.
The William R. Melton papers are comprised of both print and visual materials including newspaper clippings, photographs,
lithographs, books, documents, and correspondence. The materials within this collection primarily relate to the military service
and history of the Tuskegee Airmen. Additional items regarding Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Melton's personal life, and aviation
history are also included.
Languages: The collection is predominantly in English; select materials in French.
This collection is open for research.
Copyright has not been assigned to the University of California, Riverside Libraries, Special Collections & University Archives.
Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission
of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable
rights holder is also required. Responsibility for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
[identification of item], [date if possible]. William R. Melton papers (MS 233). Special Collections & University Archives,
University of California, Riverside.
The William R. Melton papers were acquired as a gift in 2006. Additional material received in 2009.
Processed by Gwido Zlatkes, Special Collections Reference Librarian, 2007. Revised by Eric Milenkiewicz, Manuscripts Curator,
2012.
William R. Melton was born on October 24, 1920. During World War II he enlisted as a pilot in what was then the Army Air Corps.
On July 28, 1943 Melton graduated at Tuskegee Army Air Field as a Second Lieutenant of class SE-43-G. He was a member of the
original 332nd Fighter Group, serving with the 302nd Fighter Squadron. As a fighter pilot, Melton flew more than one hundred
missions in North Africa and Europe. He also became part of the initial group to volunteer for bomber training with the 477th
Bombardment Group. Melton later served as a flight instructor and remained active with the Tuskegee Airmen throughout his
life, serving as a public relations officer and historian for Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. William R. Melton died on September 2,
1999 at the age of 78.
The William R. Melton papers are contained within the Tuskegee Airmen Archive. This archive consists of materials related
to those individuals who served at Tuskegee Army Air Field, and its predecessors, as well as materials pertaining to Tuskegee
Airmen, Inc., a non-profit organization.
The William R. Melton papers are comprised of both print and visual materials including newspaper clippings, photographs,
lithographs, books, documents, and correspondence. The materials within this collection primarily relate to the military service
and history of the Tuskegee Airmen. Additional items regarding Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Melton's personal life, and aviation
history are also included.
Photographs in this collection have been distributed into the appropriate Series. All photographic material can be found in
Boxes 3-5.
A portion of this collection remains unprocessed. Please contact Special Collections & Archives for additional information
regarding this material.
This collection is organized into five series as follows:
- Series 1. African American history, 1986
- Series 2. Aviation history, 1978-1989
- Series 3. Military service and history, 1942-2004, undated
- Series 4. Personal history, circa 1920-1984, undated
- Series 5. Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., 1974-1997, undated
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
United States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Squadron, 99th
United States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Group, 332nd
African American fighter pilots
World War, 1939-1945
Clippings (information artifacts)
Correspondence
Documents
Lithographs
Photographs
Posters