The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Hollis Hills Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10165
AR
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
7/16
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: Hollis Hills Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10165
Physical Description:
.35 Cubic Feet
This is a two box collection, both boxes with measurements 12 ¼ x 10 ½ x 5 inches. The majority of this collection contains
letters to and from Hollis Hills, Kenneth Hills, Mrs. Zelma S. Hills (mother), Linda, Pamela, Mickey, Bill Henry, and G. Clark.
The letters range from 1926 to 1967. The collection also contains an assortment of news clips, I.D. and membership cards,
certificates, booklets, and a few photographs.
There are two items in the Oversized Materials Special Collection (OMSC_00001). One item is a Pacific Southwest Airlines Poster
(Hills_2), and the other is a “La Torre” South Pasadena Junior High School newsletter (Hills_1).
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: Hollis Hills grew up in Pasadena, California. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (R.C.A.F.) in June 1940 and became a
pilot on June 22, 1941, with the R.C.A.F.’s 414 Squadron. Prior to Pearl Harbor, Hollis was transferred to Croydon (Greater
London), England to continue to fly and train with the Royal Air Force. He was transferred to the U.S. Navy on November 8,
1942.
Biographical / Historical
Hollis Hills grew up in Pasadena, California. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (R.C.A.F.) in June 1940 and became a
pilot on June 22, 1941, with the R.C.A.F.’s 414 Squadron. Prior to Pearl Harbor, Hollis was transferred to Croydon (Greater
London), England to continue to fly and train with the Royal Air Force. He was transferred to the U.S. Navy on November 8,
1942, and returned to the United States via the Queen Mary the following month. Hollis did a one-year carrier-based tour in
the Pacific Theater with VF-32, as well as with VF-150 and then VF-97 until World War II ended. He joined civilian life following
the war (either honorably discharged or placed in reserves), and re-joined as a Lieutenant Commander in 1949. Hollis retired
as a Commander for the United States Navy.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to research by appointment.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Scope and Contents
This is a two box collection, both boxes with measurements 12 ¼ x 10 ½ x 5 inches. The majority of this collection contains
letters to and from Hollis Hills, Kenneth Hills, Mrs. Zelma S. Hills (mother), Linda, Pamela, Mickey, Bill Henry, and G. Clark.
The letters range from 1926 to 1967. The collection also contains an assortment of news clips, I.D. and membership cards,
certificates, booklets, and a few photographs.
There are two items in the Oversized Materials Special Collection (OMSC_00001). One item is a Pacific Southwest Airlines Poster
(Hills_2), and the other is a “La Torre” South Pasadena Junior High School newsletter (Hills_1).
Related Materials
RCAF Files.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Royal Canadian Air Force
Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32)
Fighter Squadron 150 (VF-150)
Hills, Hollis
Series I – Personal Documents
Folder 1 – Certificates, I.D.’s, Booklets
Physical Description: This folder contains a marriage certificate, a war rations booklet, a memorandum pocketbook, a life insurance policy, boy
scout ID, and other membership cards.
Folder 2 – School Paraphernalia
Physical Description: This folder contains report cards, a certificate of promotion, commencement pamphlet, and more.
Series II – Newspaper Clips
Folder 3 – Newspaper Clips
Physical Description: This folder contains newspaper clips about radio contest winners, RAF reconnaissance description, a short biography of Kenneth
Hills, the LA street car/bus operator strike and trial, and Saint Paulias.
Folder 4 – Photographs
Physical Description: This folder contains six photographs of a house, a racecar track, and a P-51 Mustang.
Folder 5 – Miscellaneous
Physical Description: This folder contains child drawings, police citations, a tag, a ticket, and a picture.
Series V - Correspondence
Series V - Correspondence
Folder 7 – “No-envelope” Correspondence
Folder 8 – Letters & Envelopes 1926
Folder 9 – Letters & Envelopes 1929
Folder 10 – Letters & Envelopes 1932
Folder 11 – Letters & Envelopes 1935
Folder 12 – Letters & Envelopes 1940
Folder 13 – Letters & Envelopes 1941
Series V - Correspondence (cont)
Folder 1 – Letters & Envelopes 1942
Folder 2 – Letters & Envelopes 1943
Folder 3 – Letters & Envelopes 1944
Folder 4 – Letters & Envelopes 1945
Folder 5 – Letters & Envelopes 1948
Folder 6 – Letters & Envelopes 1949
Folder 7 – Letters & Envelopes 1967
Series VI – Oversized Materials
1. “La Torre” South Pasadena Junior High School newsletter, Vol. 2, No. 3, December 13, 1929. Labeled Hills_1.
2. Poster of Pilot and Stewardess for Pacific Southwest Airlines. Labeled Hills_2.
3. Five map rolls of WWII France.