Guide to the William R. Melton Papers

Processed by Gwido Zlatkes.

Special Collections & Archives

The UCR Libraries

P.O. Box 5900

University of California

Riverside, California 92517-5900

Phone: 951-827-3233

Fax: 951-827-4673

Email: specialcollections@ucr.edu

URL: http://library.ucr.edu/?view=collections/spcol

Descriptive Summary

Title: William R. Melton papers

Date (inclusive): circa 1920-2004, undated

Date (bulk): 1944-1990

Collection Number: 233

Creator: Melton, William Robert, 1920-1999

Extent: 25.0 linear feet (4 document boxes, 11 record storage boxes, 5 flat storage boxes, items on-shelf)

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 in English.

Access

This collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to the University of California, Riverside Libraries, Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item]. William R. Melton papers, Collection 233. University of California, Riverside Libraries, Special Collections & Archives, University of California, Riverside.

Acquisition Information

The William R. Melton papers were acquired as a gift in 2006. Additional material received in 2009.

Processing History

Processed by Gwido Zlatkes, 2007. Revised by Eric Milenkiewicz, 2012.

Biography

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.

Collection Scope and Content Summary

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.

Collection Arrangement

This collection is organized into five series:

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.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

African American fighter pilots.

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

United States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Group, 332nd History.

United States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Squadron, 99th History.

World War II.

Genres and Forms of Materials

Clippings (information artifacts).

Correspondence.

Documents.

Lithographs.

Photographs.

Posters.

Collection Contents

Series 1. African American History. 1986, undated.

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains newspaper clippings and other material regarding African American History.

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged sequentially according to box and folder number.

Box 1, Folder 1

Publication titled "Newspapers and their Relationship to the Black Agenda in 1986" by Dexter D. Eure, Sr. 1986.

Box 1, Folder 1

Newspaper clipping titled "Bob Jones Re-elected to Head Black Public Relations Society" from the Tribune News (photocopy). 1986.

Box 1, Folder 1

Newspaper clipping titled "Award of Appreciation Presented" from the Philadelphia New Observer (photocopy). 1986.

Box 1, Folder 1

Newspaper clipping titled "Berry Gordy honors publicist Bob Jones" from the Chicago Defender (photocopy). 1986.

Box 1, Folder 1

Newspaper clipping titled "Jones Beams with Joy" from the Texas Times (photocopy). 1986.

Box 1, Folder 1

Roster for the Black Public Relations Society of California, Inc. undated

Series 2. Aviation History. 1978-1990, undated.

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains publications, lithographs, and other material regarding Aviation History.

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged sequentially according to box and folder number.

Box 1, Folder 2

Publication titled "B-25 Mitchell in Action" by Ernest R. McDowell. 1978.

Box 1, Folder 2

Publication titled "P-39 Airacobra in Action" by Ernie McDowell. 1980.

Box 1, Folder 2

Publication titled "Messerschmitt BF in Action" by John R. Beaman, Jr. 1983.

Box 1, Folder 2

Publication titled "P-47 Thunderbolt in Action" by Larry Davis. 1984.

Box 1, Folder 2

Publication titled "T-6 Texan in Action" by Larry Davis. 1989.

Box 1, Folder 3

Newspaper clippings on George Lucas' Tuskegee Airmen film project (photocopy). 1990.

Box 1, Folder 3

Newspaper clipping titled "Lucas' Next Movie: Tuskegee Airmen" by Elaine Dutka (photocopy). 1990.

Box 1, Folder 3

Newspaper clipping titled "Telling it Like it Was" by Pat H. Broeske (photocopy). 1990.

Box 1, Folder 3

Newspaper clipping titled "Dogfight?" by Elaine Dutka (photocopy). undated.

Box 1, Folder 11

Press release titled "P-40 Warhawk Pilots Association." 1986.

Box 1, Folder 11

Press release titled "Sixth Annual P-51 Mustang Pilots Association Reunion." 1986.

Box 1, Folder 11

Press release titled "41st Annual Reunion China-Burma-India Hump Pilots and Support Personnel." 1986.

Box 1, Folder 11

Press release titled "25th Annual P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association Reunion." 1986.

Box 3, Folder 5

Photographs of restored World War II era aircraft. undated.

Map-Case B3, Folder 1

Lithograph of a T-43 Navigator Trainer. undated.

Map-Case B3, Folder 2

Lithograph titled "The U.S. Air Force Lithograph Series" (Set Number 7). undated.

Map-Case B3, Folder 2

Lithograph titled "The U.S. Air Force Lithograph Series" (Set Number 8). undated.

Map-Case B3, Folder 2

Lithograph titled "The U.S. Air Force Lithograph Series" (Set Number 27). undated.

Map-Case B3, Folder 2

Lithograph titled "The U.S. Air Force Lithograph Series" (Set Number 11). undated.

Map-Case B3, Folder 3

Lithograph titled "The U.S. Air Force Lithograph Series" (Set Number 33). undated.

Map-Case B3, Folder 3

Lithograph titled "The U.S. Air Force Lithograph Series" (Set Number 5). undated.

Map-Case B3, Folder 3

Lithograph titled "The U.S. Air Force Lithograph Series" (Set Number 3). undated.

Series 3. Military Service and History. 1942-2004, undated.

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains newspaper clippings, photographs, and other material regarding William R. Melton's military service, the Tuskegee Airmen, and military history.

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged sequentially according to box and folder number.

Box 1, Folder 4

Documents from Pete Peters to William Melton including "Black Redtail Angels' gather with Eagles" by Pete Peters from the Las Vegas Sun (3 photocopies). 1996.

Box 1, Folder 5

Newspaper clipping titled "Tuskegee Airmens Confab Attracted Top Black Military Brass" from the St. Louis Sentinel. 1982.

Box 1, Folder 5

Newspaper clipping titled "Black pilots broke segregation barrier" from the Star News. 1983.

Box 1, Folder 5

Newspaper clipping titled "Black Pilots Shatter Myths" from the Sacramento Union. 1974.

Box 1, Folder 5

Newspaper clippings titled "Tuskegee Alumni Honors Jenkins" and "Airmen Honor Doolittle" from the Los Angeles Sentinel. 1983.

Box 1, Folder 6

Publication titled "Tuskegee Airmen, The First Top Guns: 'The Last Hurrah'." 2004.

Box 1, Folder 7

Brochure ttitled "Tuskegee Airmen 332nd Fighter Group" (3 copies). undated.

Box 1, Folder 8

Publication titled "Tony Brown's Journal" (2 copies). January/March 1983.

Box 1, Folder 9

Notebook containing information on the Tuskegee Airmen. undated.

Box 1, Folder 10

Document titled "History of Godman Field." undated.

Box 1, Folder 12

Document titled "Desegregation of the Armed Forces." undated.

Box 1, Folder 13

Newspaper clippings pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen (multiple). undated.

Box 1, Folder 13

Newspaper clipping titled "One Pilot Killed Another Injured" (photocopy). undated.

Box 1, Folder 13

Newspaper clipping of Lieutenant Stoudmire's obituary (photocopy). undated.

Box 1, Folder 13

Newspaper clippings pertaining to the Distinguished Flying Cross award. undated.

Box 1, Folder 13

Newspaper clippings pertaining to Captain Robert Tresville and other World War II soldiers missing in action. undated.

Box 1, Folder 13

Newspaper clipping titled "Aviation Medicine." 1944.

Box 1, Folder 13

Newspaper clipping titled "Army Pilots Prime to Meet Enemy in Combat" from the Pittsburgh Courier (photocopy). 1942.

Box 2, Folder 2

Documents regarding Wendell O. Pruitt (includes photocopies). undated.

Box 2, Folder 7

Program for the Tuskegee Airman Memorial Statue Dedication Ceremony. 1988.

Box 3, Folder 2

Photographs pertaining to individuals that served in the United States Military including Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. undated

Box 3, Folder 8

Sketches of buildings at Ramitelli Airfield. 1944.

Box 3, Folder 9

Photograph composites pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II including the 332nd Fighter Group's Italian Campaign in 1944-1945. undated.

Box 4, Folder 1

Photographs (5" x 7") pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. circa 1941-1945.

Box 4, Folder 2

Photographs (4" x 5" and smaller) pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. circa 1941-1945.

Box 4, Folder 3

Photographs (8" x 10") pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. circa 1941-1945.

Box 4, Folder 4

Photographs (8" x 10") pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. circa 1941-1945.

Box 4, Folder 5

Photographic prints (8" x 10") pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. circa 1941-1945.

Box 4, Folder 6

Photographs reproduced from publications pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. circa 1941-1945.

Box 4, Folder 7

Photographic prints pertaining to African American nurses that served during World War II. circa 1941-1945.

Box 4, Folder 8

Photograph composites pertaining to African American nurses that served during World War II. circa 1941-1945.

Box 4, Folder 9

Photograph composites pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. circa 1941-1945.

Box 5

Photographs pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen during and after World War II including images of Tuskegee Army Air Field and Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. circa 1941-1980.

Map-Case B3, Folder 1

Panoramic photograph of the 332nd Fighter Wing at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio. 1948.

Map-Case B3, Folder 1

Photograph of Joe Louis with the Tuskegee Airmen. undated.

Map-Case B3, Folder 1

Lithograph titled "Red Tail Fury" by A. Ric Druet (2 copies). 1994.

Map-Case B3, Folder 1

Lithograph titled "On Target" by A. Ric Druet (2 copies). 1994.

Map-Case B3, Folder 1

Lithograph titled "Button Up Time" by A. Ric Druet. 1994.

Map-Case B3, Folder 1

Lithograph titled "Drop Tanks, Follow Me" by A. Ric Druet (2 copies). 1994.

Map-Case B3, Folder 1

Poster titled "Tuskegee Airman World War II Tribute Celebration" by the County of Los Angeles. 1999.

Map-Case B3, Folder 1

Poster titled "Tuskegee Airmen Honor Roll. Those Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice." undated.

Map-Case B3, Folder 1

Poster of the General Daniel "Chappie" James painting by Charles Lilly. undated.

Series 4. Personal History. circa 1920-1984, undated.

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains correspondence, photographs, and other material regarding William R. Melton's personal life.

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged sequentially according to box and folder number.

Box 2, Folder 3

Correspondence from William R. Melton to his mother during World War II (photocopy). March 10, 1944.

Box 2, Folder 3

Correspondence from William R. Melton to his mother during World War II (photocopy). May 2, 1944.

Box 2, Folder 3

Correspondence from William R. Melton to his mother during World War II (photocopy). May 23, 1944.

Box 2, Folder 3

Correspondence from William R. Melton to his mother during World War II (photocopy). May 25, 1944.

Box 2, Folder 3

Correspondence from William R. Melton to his mother during World War II (photocopy). May 31, 1944.

Box 2, Folder 3

Correspondence from William R. Melton to his mother during World War II (photocopy). June 18, 1944.

Box 2, Folder 3

Correspondence from William R. Melton to his mother during World War II (photocopy). July 16, 1944.

Box 2, Folder 3

Correspondence from William R. Melton to his mother during World War II (photocopy). July 25, 1944.

Box 2, Folder 4

Correspondence from the Foreign Service of the United States of America to William R. Melton, Jr. 1961.

Box 2, Folder 5

Correspondence from the Republique du Congo to William R. Melton, Jr. 1961.

Box 2, Folder 5

Receipt from the Hotel de France Conakry for William R. Melton. 1960.

Box 2, Folder 5

Receipt and ticket stub from Air France . undated.

Box 2, Folder 5

International Certificate of Inoculation and Vaccination issued to William R. Melton. 1951.

Box 2, Folder 5

Handwritten notes on politics. undated.

Box 2, Folder 5

Ticket sleeve from TWA airline. 1961.

Box 2, Folder 5

Ticket sleeve from Air France airline. undated.

Box 2, Folder 5

Ticket sleeve from Eastern Air Lines. undated.

Box 2, Folder 5

Certifact d'exercice for William R. Melton. 1960.

Box 2, Folder 5

Curriculum Vitae for William R. Melton. undated.

Box 2, Folder 5

Receipt and ticket from Air France. 1961.

Box 2, Folder 5

Advertisement for Well's Restaurant in New York. 1960.

Box 2, Folder 5

Advertisement for "The New War Chest." undated.

Box 2, Folder 5

Ticket from Eastern Air Lines flight from Montreal to Newark for William R. Melton. 1961.

Box 2, Folder 6

Letterhead for William R. Melton. undated.

Box 2, Folder 6

Correspondence from UCLA to William R. Melton. 1973.

Box 3, Folder 1

Photographs pertaining to the personal life of William R. Melton including images from his childhood and life after his World War II military service. circa 1920-1984.

Box 3, Folder 3

Photographs (black and white) pertaining to an event attended by Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. and B.O. Davis Jr. undated.

Box 3, Folder 4

Photographs (color) pertaining to an event attended by Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. and B.O. Davis Jr. undated.

Box 3, Folder 6

Photographs (color) from various events. undated.

Box 3, Folder 7

Photographs (black and white) from various events. undated.

Series 5. Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. 1974-1997, undated.

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains press releases, programs, and other material regarding Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged sequentially according to box and folder number.

Box 2, Folder 1

Membership application for Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. undated.

Box 2, Folder 7

Publication titled "The Tuskegee Airmen Story (A Speech Guide)" published by the East Coast Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. undated.

Box 2, Folder 7

Program for the Tuskegee Airmen Distinguished Achievement Award Dinner honoring Lieutenant General James H. Doolittle presented by Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. 1983.

Box 2, Folder 7

Newsletter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. titled "The Tuskegee Airmen", vol. 6, no. 1. 1986.

Box 2, Folder 7

Program for the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. National Convention 1997.

Box 2, Folder 7

Program for the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. National Convention. 1990.

Box 2, Folder 7

Program for the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. National Convention (3 copies). 1974.

Box 2, Folder 8

Handwritten notes regarding Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. undated.

Box 2, Folder 9

Agenda for the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Board of Directors meeting. 1985.

Box 2, Folder 9

Press release from Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. titled "USAF Trail Blazer for Black Fliers Featured at Kelly AFB" (2 copies). undated.

Box 2, Folder 9

Press release from Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. titled "Eastern Sponsors Black Aviators' Forum." undated.

Box 2, Folder 9

Press release from Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. for Colonel Edward C. Gleed's death. 1990.

Box 2, Folder 9

Press release from Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. announcing a lecture by Percy E. Sutton (2 copies). undated.

Box 2, Folder 9

Information sheet for Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (3 copies). undated.

Box 2, Folder 10

Roster for the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Ohio Chapter. 1983.

Box 2, Folder 10

Roster for the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Ohio Chapter. 1986.

Box 2, Folder 11

Manuscript titled "Molding a Black Legacy: The Chronicles of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc." undated.

| | | | | | | |