The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Keith Sharer Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10131
AR
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
6/13
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Keith Sharer Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10131
Physical Description:
.3 Cubic Feet
This is a one box collection with measurements 12 ¼ x 10 ½ x 2 ½ inches. The collection contains hundreds of 35mm slides,
a few photographs, photocopied newspaper articles, and several licenses and certificates. Additional items are stored with
the curatorial department.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: Keith Sharer's career in aviation spanned from the Second World War until Vietnam. He was also was very important to the
growth of the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Keith was born on April 29, 1923, in Montezuma, Iowa. Beginning in his early years, Keith developed a passion for aviation.
Keith made his first solo flight in Grinnell, Iowa when he was eighteen years old. He was accepted into Iowa State College
in the fall of 1940 to study aeronautical engineering, but dropped out during his sophomore year after he acquired co-ownership
of a Piper J-3 Cub. This decision led Keith to pursue his Commercial Pilots License with Instructor rating so he could become
a military pilot.
Keith briefly trained in the Army Air Corps at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas. However, he decided to leave the Army Air
Corps and instead received his Navy commission on November 27, 1942. He reported to NAS, Corpus Christi, Texas for flight
training, and he became a Naval Aviator in the spring of 1943. Keith became a flight instructor at NAS Ottumwa, Iowa, instructing
in the N2S Boeing-Stearman.
After World War II, Keith decided to retain his reserve commission and be released to inactive duty and civilian aviation.
Keith was recalled to active duty in June 1950 when the Korean War began and reported to FASRON 7, based at NAS North Island,
San Diego, CA. He remained in the Navy after the Korean War, and received orders to VR-5, a large navy air transport squadron,
flying the Douglas DC-6 at NAS, Moffet Field, near San Francisco. From 1958-1960, Keith attended Naval Postgraduate School
in Monterey, California. He then went to the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island.
The highlight of Keith's naval aviation career occurred between 1968 and 1970. Keith was authorized command of VP-10, a naval
air squadron flying the Lockheed P3A Orion out of NAS, Brunswick, Maine. Subsequent orders included a deep draft command of
the USS Chipola out of Honolulu during the Vietnam War.
Following his retirement from the Navy, Keith attended USC, and received his Masters in Aerospace Systems Management. Additionally,
Keith joined the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) based in Montreal, Canada, which was founded only in 1944.
With the advances in aviation and the increasing popularity of international oversea air travel, international agreements
were necessary to facilitate the safety, efficiency, and regularity of this travel. Currently, the international aviation
treaty that was ICAO's starting point has been ratified by over 160 nations worldwide. Keith was Chief of Operations and Air
Worthiness for ICAO from 1973 until 1984. Keith was responsible for creating and developing international standards and practices
governing all civil air transport and general aviation operations.
Following Keith’s retirement in 1984, he continued his interest in aviation by volunteering at the San Diego Aerospace Museum
through several capacities. He was a chairman of the Exhibits and Accessions Committee and Vice President on the Board of
Directors. He was especially committed to the advancement of science education and careers for young adults. Keith was also
a lifelong member of the Daedalians.
Keith Woods Sharer, 89, of Coronado, California, passed away on October 15, 2012.
The collection is open to use with an appointment.
This is a one box collection with measurements 12 ¼ x 10 ½ x 2 ½ inches. The collection contains hundreds of 35mm slides,
a few photographs, photocopied newspaper articles, and several licenses and certificates. Additional items are stored with
the curatorial department.
There are seven logbooks that will be stored in 3 separate boxes and placed in the logbook collection. The logbooks range
from 1941 to 1968. They are stored under LB_290 A-G.
The collection also contained business cards and stamps but have been removed. The stamps will be placed in the stamp collection,
and the business cards have been discarded.
There is one oversized photograph that has been placed in the Oversized Material Special Collection, OMSC_00001.
San Diego Air and Space Museum historical collection.
There is one oversized photograph of Keith Sharer in the pilot seat of the Vultee Valient “The Vibrator.” It is stored in
the Oversized Material Special Collection, OMSC_00001.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ryan PT-22 Recruit
Douglas DC-6
North Island Naval Air Station
Korean War 1950-1953
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Piper J-3 Cub
Sharer, Keith
Box 1 of 4
Series I: Personal Documents
Folder 2 – Licenses & Certificates
Physical Description: 1. The blue wallet with “United States Navy – Naval Aviator (Certificate)” contains several small certificates and licenses
including night vision training, five “Special” instrument clearance rating certificates, a transport qualification card,
a plane commander certificate, and a card designating Keith Sharer as Patrol Plane Commander for P-2 and P-3 model aircraft.
2. The black wallet with “Pilot’s License” contains additional small certificates and licenses including a registration certificate
from the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, a qualification certificate stating Sharer is an Airline Transport Pilot, a medical
certificate for Airline Pilots, a Temporary Airman Certificate, an Air Line Pilots Association Representation card, an FCC
card authorizing Keith Sharer to operate radiotelephone equipment on aircraft, a written examination report, and two certificates
from the US Department of Commerce Civil Aeronautics Administration certifying that Keith Sharer is a ground instructor pilot.
3. Two international certificates of vaccination from 1962 to 1986.
Series II: 35mm Slides
Series III: Photographs
Box 2 of 4
Box 3 of 4
Box 4 of 4