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Table of contents What's This?
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Related Materials
  • Conditions Governing Use

  • Contributing Institution: San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
    Title: Jose Menachem Weill Personal Papers
    source: Weill, Jose Menachem
    Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10244
    Physical Description: .5 Cubic Feet This collection consists of one archival box, containing assorted Air Force pamphlets, newspaper articles, magazine articles, photographs, playing cards, among other various artifacts from Weill's career.
    Date (bulk): 1928-2016
    Abstract: This collection consists of one archival box, containing assorted Air Force pamphlets, newspaper articles, magazine articles, photographs, playing cards, among other various artifacts from Weill's career.
    Physical Description: This collection consists of one archival box, containing assorted Air Force pamphlets, newspaper articles, magazine articles, photographs, playing cards, among other various artifacts from Weill's career.
    Language of Material: English .

    Biographical / Historical

    Jose Menachem Weill was a language Interpreter for the U.S. Air Force (1948-1968). Born August 21, 1928 in Harlem, New York City, Weill spent his formative years in New York City until his parents divorced. His father took three children home to Basil Switzerland, where Weill lived for thirteen years, speaking only French and German. The Second World War forced his siblings into an orphanage while his father worked in New York City. After the war, Weill was drafted into the Swiss Army but instead fled to Paris, France. He was repatriated to the United States and joined the U.S. Air Force.
    Weill served in the U.S. Air Force for twenty years. He began his service Frankfurt, Germany, completed his basic training at Marburg, Germany and was assigned to the counter intelligence corps. While stationed in Berlin, Weill had to relearn English. During his eighteen months in Berlin, the Berlin Airlift was taking place. The Big Lift of 1948 continued as Weill moved to Miami, Florida. In February of 1949, he enrolled in the University of Miami, taking French and German courses. However, this would be delayed, as his Swiss schooling was not accepted. Weill enrolled in night school for six months to receive his high school diploma. Upon graduation, Weill planned to teach languages courses, however, his financial situation forced him to remain in the Air Force.
    Weill moved to Monterey, California to learn Russian and served in the Korean War as a Russian Interpreter for the United Nations Army of occupation. As a Master Sergeant, Weill earned the Air Force Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for his service as Chief Clerk, Directorate of Logistic Plans, Deputy Chief of Staff of Materiel, Headquarters Aerospace Defense Command, Ent Air Force Base, Colorado from March 1967 to August 1968. Weill earned his Masters of Arts in German from San Diego State College in 1970.
    Jose Weill passed away April 19, 2016 in San Diego, California at the aged of 88 years old.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Donated to the Museum in 2022.

    Related Materials

    Other material doanted from Mr. Weill can be found in the Curatorial Collection, including: The following items were transferred to Curatorial:
    1 Air Defense Command patch
    1 United Nations Korean War Medal in box
    1 Korean Service Medal and ribbon in box
    1 Army of Occupation Second World War medal and ribbon in box
    1 National Defense Service Medal and ribbon in box
    1 Good Conduct Medal in box
    1 Good Conduct, (no medal) in box
    4 U.S. Service pictures in box
    1 University of Maryland medal for Scholastic Achievement
    1 Service button and ribbon in plastic box
    1 diploma, MA German, San Diego State College
    3 sets of playing cards
    1 metal NCO Club LAFB commemorative plate, 6" diameter
    1 "Man In Space" commemorative coin collection, 22 mounted coins, 1969 .

    Conditions Governing Use

    The collection is open for research. Some restrictions apply.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Korean War 1950-1953
    Berlin Airlift
    World War, 1914-1918
    Weill, Jose Menachem