The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Chester Val Braun Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10222
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Chester Val Braun Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10222
Physical Description:
.6 Cubic Feet
The collection consists of one archival box
The collection contains items reflecting the military and professional life of Chester Val Braun, including books, documents,
news articles, photographs and memorabilia. The items of memorabilia have been turned over to the SDASM Curatorial Department.
The collection consists of one archival box, 17 x 5 x 12-1/2 inches.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: The collection contains items reflecting the military and professional life of Chester Val Braun, including books, documents,
news articles, photographs and memorabilia. The items of memorabilia have been turned over to the SDASM Curatorial Department.
Physical Description: The collection contains items reflecting the military and professional life of Chester Val Braun, including books, documents,
news articles, photographs and memorabilia. The items of memorabilia have been turned over to the SDASM Curatorial Department.
In one box.
Biographical / Historical
Chester Val Braun was born in New Jersey on February 11, 1924.
With World War II in progress, Chester was educated at, and graduated from, West Point. He received training as an Army-Air
Force pilot. While serving, he helped map Korea in the Reconnaissance Squadron.
After leaving the service, he became a test pilot for Republic Aviation. In January 1942, he joined McDonnell Aircraft, which
later became McDonnell-Douglas and then Boeing. He began his career with McDonnell as an Experimental Test Pilot; then in
May 1955 he was promoted to Senior Flight Test Engineer; in August 1955 he became Technical Representative; and in June 1957
he was Chief of Customer Requirements. In March 1958 he became Project Manager of the GAM-72 Quail Missile Program, and then
in October 1964 General Manager of U.S. Air Force Phantom Programs. In January 1966, Conductron Corporation of Ann Arbor
Michigan became a member of the McDonnell family, and Chester Braun became Vice President and Group Executive of the new addition.
In June 1968, he was elected President of Conductron, but then in 1969 he resigned and re-joined McDonnell as Vice President
and General Manager of modern jet fighters such as the F-4 Phantom and F-15 Eagle.
In September 1980, Braun met with King Hussein of Jordan and Prince Philip of England at the Paris Air Show when McDonnell-Douglas
showed the new F-15 Strike Eagle.
Chester encouraged his wife, Elizabeth, and two sons, Gary and C. V. Braun, Jr., to all earn their pilot's licenses, and both
sons joined him as employees of McDonnell-Douglas for a time.
Chester retired from the industry to Florida where he earned a ships Master's License and enjoyed boating, tennis, and dressage.
He achieved excellence in the Florida equestrian world by winning many awards with his thoroughbred Prince Secret Ice, a grandson
of the Triple Crown champion Secretariat.
Chester Braun passed away on June 8, 2015 in Osprey, Florida.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply
Scope and Contents
The collection contains items reflecting the military and professional life of Chester Val Braun, including books, documents,
news articles, photographs and memorabilia. The items of memorabilia have been turned over to the SDASM Curatorial Department.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
McDonnell Douglas aircraft
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
Braun, Chester Val
Folder 1 -- Personal Documents
Physical Description: 1. Certificate, Army Air Forces Training Center, Cadet Chester Val Braun, U.S.M.A. Stewart Field, Newburgh, New York, March
12, 1945 to June 2, 1945. 2. Inter-Office Memo from J. S. McDonnell appointing C. V. Braun GAM-72 General Manager, December
15, 1960.
Folder 2 -- McDonnell Factory
Physical Description: 1. Artist's drawing of McDonnell Factory with image of J. S. McDonnell, Chairman and President inset.
Folder 3 -- McDonnell Documents
Physical Description: 1. Annual Reports, McDonnell Aircraft, 1963 and 1964. 2. Document, "Additional Views of Clare E. Hoffman re: procurement investigation.
3. Various McDonnell advertisements and brochures.
SERIES II: Books/Booklets
1. Folder 4 -- Books/Booklets
Physical Description: 1. Book, Student Pilot Handbook, Jack Hunt and Ray Fahringer, Books, Inc., Publishers, 1943. 2. Booklet, Hearings of Subcommittee
of the Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives, Navy Jet Aircraft Procurement Program, 1955, signed
as gift from J. S. McDonnell, President of McDonnell Aircraft Company. 3. Booklet, 1939 - 1964: The First 25 Years, McDonnell.
SERIES III: Pilot Log Books
Folder 5 -- Pilot Log Books
Physical Description: 1. Pilot Log Book, C. V. Braun, April 19, 1944 to August 4, 1944. 2. Pilot Log Book, Chester V. Braun, "Flights from West
Point," December 29, 1945 to May 25, 1947(?). 3. Pilot's Log Book, Chester Brain, March 29, 1951 to December 23, 1975. 4. Aviators
Flight Log Book, Chester V. Braun, January 17, 1952 to April 29, 1955.
SERIES IV: News Clippings
Folder 6 -- News Clippings
Physical Description: 1. Miscellaneous newspaper articles relating to C. V. Braun's career, including some mounted on scrapbook pages. 2. Copy
of News Article, "Beefed Up F-15 Wins Contract," St. Louis Globe-Democrat, February 25-26, 1984, signed by involved McDonnell
employees.
Folder 7 -- Photographs
Physical Description: 1. Photo of West Point Grad C. V. Braun, 1945. 2. Photo, F-84 First Jet Air to Air Refueling (oversized photo) 3. Photos of
C. V. Braun and McDonnell planes, includes F2H3
Folder 8 -- Photographs from Album
Physical Description: 1. Photo Memories at McDonnell Corp., includes photos of C. V. Braun with King of Jordan, Prince Philip and Duke of Kent
from England.
Folder 9 -- Newsletters
Physical Description: 1. Newsletters, McDonnell Aircraft AirScoop, reflecting milestones in C. V. Braun's McDonnell career, dates as follows:
March 1958, December 1960, January 1961, June 1962, September 1964, October 1964, November 1964, December 1964, January 1966
(2 copies), June 1968, January 1969 (pages 3-6 only). 2. Company Newsletter, Conductron-Missouri, December 1966.
Series VII: Memorabilia
Physical Description: 1. Several items were delivered to the SDASM Curatorial Department, including: 001-002, Patches of F-15 003-006, two uniform
slacks, two jackets, and 5th Air Force patch
