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Upson (Linus) Personal Papers
SDASM.SC
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Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Linus Upson Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC
Physical Description:
.35 Cubic Feet
This collection contains Linus Upson’s memorabilia which include a large scrapbook, photographs, a CD with photographs, certificates,
an autobiography, reunion booklets, cloth patches, and bio rosters. These documents are associated with Upson’s 80th Fighter
Squadron unit that flew in China-Burma-India, also known as the “Burma Banshees.”
Additional objects are stored in the curatorial department.
Two oversized photographs – Upson_1 and Upson_2 – have been placed in the Oversized Materials Special Collection, OMSC_00001.
This is a one box collection measuring 15 ¼ x 12 ½ x 5 inches.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: Linus Upson served with the 80th Fighter Group in the Second World War in the CBI Theater.
Tampa, Florida and graduated from the University of Tampa with a B.S. degree in 1941. He enlisted as a flying cadet in 1941
and was commissioned and awarded his pilot's wings in April, 1942. He flew 150 combat missions in the China-Burma-India Theater
(C.B.I.) of World War II and later in the Korean conflict. Col. Upson was a command pilot and awarded the Distinguished Flying
Cross with cluster, Air Medal with two clusters, and the Bronze Star medal. He married Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Standau, also
of Tampa, in 1942 and had four children. Linus retired from the Air Force in 1966, settled in Northridge, CA and started a
second career with Hughes Aircraft Company. When his wife Betty passed away in 2009, he moved to San Diego where he lived
until his passing on May 2, 2014.
Upson flew with the 80th Fighter Group – consisting of the 88th, 89th, and 90th Fighter Squadrons – in the C.B.I. campaign.
Labeled the “Burma Banshees,” he was stationed in Burma to attack the Japanese forces. They assisted India with the Japanese
sweep. They trained in Republic P-47 Thunderbolts but flew combat missions in the Curtiss P-40N. After two years in combat,
the squadron was removed from duty.
This is a one box collection measuring 15 ¼ x 12 ½ x 5 inches. It contains Linus Upson’s memorabilia which include a large
scrapbook, photographs, a CD with photographs, certificates, an autobiography, reunion booklets, cloth patches, and bio rosters.
These documents are associated with Upson’s 80th Fighter Squadron unit that flew in China-Burma-India, also known as the “Burma
Banshees.”
Additional objects are stored in the curatorial department.
Two oversized photographs – Upson_1 and Upson_2 – have been placed in the Oversized Materials Special Collection, OMSC_00001.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this collection were donated to the San Diego Air & Space Museum in May, 2014. The collection has been processed
and is open for research with no restrictions.
The collection is open to research by appointment.
Breed, Warren, “Burma Banshee,” Eightieth Fighter Group of Burma (Calcutta, India, 1945?). D 790 .B65 80th F.G. 1945?
Fowler, Richard W., “The Burma Banshees : a history of the 80th Fighter Group, 1942-1945,” (Sheppard AFB, Texas, 1976). D
790 .F615 1976
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
Eightieth Fighter Group
China Burma India Theater (CBI)
Upson, Linus