Buford A. Johnson papers
Finding aid prepared by Jamie Madrigal and Reajinae Jenkins, Student Processing Assistants.
Special Collections & University Archives
The UCR Library
P.O. Box 5900
University of California
Riverside, California 92517-5900
Phone: 951-827-3233
Fax: 951-827-4673
Email: specialcollections@ucr.edu
URL: http://library.ucr.edu/libraries/special-collections-university-archives
© 2015
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Buford A. Johnson papers
Date (inclusive): 1945-2012, undated
Date (bulk): 1951-1959
Collection Number: MS 372
Creator:
Johnson, Buford A.
Extent:
2.56 linear feet
(3 boxes)
Repository:
Rivera Library. Special Collections Department.
Abstract: This collection contains military documents, correspondence, and other material pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen and Buford
A. Johnson, a Master Sergeant in the United States Army Air Force and chief mechanic who serviced jet aircraft in the 99th
squadron of the 477th composite group in World War II. Highlights include newspaper clippings, programs, photographs, posters,
and awards pertaining to the personal and professional accomplishments of Buford A. Johnson during and after his World War
II service.
Languages: The collection is in English.
Access
This collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright Unknown: Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction,
and/or commercial use, of some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and
publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by
copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions
apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also required. Responsibility for
obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [date if possible]. Buford A. Johnson papers (MS 372). Special Collections & University Archives,
University of California, Riverside.
Acquisition Information
Gifts of Buford A. Johnson, 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2013.
Processing History
Processed by Reajinae Jenkins and Jamie Madrigal, Student Processing Assistants, 2015.
Processing of the Buford A. Johnson papers was completed by undergraduate students from the University of California, Riverside
as part of the Special Collections & University Archives Backlog Processing Project started in 2015. This project was funded
by the UCR Library and administered by Bergis Jules, University and Political Papers Archivist, and Eric Milenkiewicz, Manuscripts
Curator.
Biographical Note
Buford A. Johnson was a Master Sergeant in the United States Army Air Force and chief mechanic who serviced fighter planes
in the 99th squadron of the 477th composite group also known as the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. Born August 1927 in Longview,
Texas, Buford went on to become the first African-American jet mechanic in the United States Air Force, the first African
American Crew Chief to work on jet aircraft, and the first African American Crew Chief to work on jet aircraft in a combat
zone.
Collection Scope and Contents
This collection contains military documents, correspondence, and other material pertaining to Buford A. Johnson, the Tuskegee
Airmen, and events during World War II. Highlights include newspaper clippings, programs, photographs, posters, and awards
pertaining to the personal and professional accomplishments of Buford A. Johnson during and after his World War II service.
Collection Arrangement
This collection is arranged into four series as follows:
- Series 1. Post-military service documents, 1977-2012
- Series 2. Military service documents, 1951-1966
- Series 3. Awards, 1999-2011
- Series 4. Publications, 2001-2011
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Johnson, Buford A.
United States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Group, 332nd
United States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Squadron, 99th
African American fighter pilots
World War, 1939-1945
Genres and Forms of Materials
Correspondence
Documents
Series 1. Post-military service documents
1977-2012, undated
Series Scope and Contents
This series includes newspaper clippings, photographs, programs, and other material documenting Buford A. Johnson's post-military
service.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially by box and folder number.
Box 1, Folder 1
Newspaper clippings pertaining to Buford A. Johnson, World War II jet aircraft mechanics, and the Tuskegee Airmen
1977-2007
Box 1, Folder 2
Photographs pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen, Buford A. Johnson's travels, and the the West Covina Rose Float Foundation
undated
Box 1, Folder 3
Fliers and programs pertaining to events attended by Buford A. Johnson
2006-2012
Series 2. Military service documents
1945-1966
Series Scope and Contents
This series includes memorandums, checklists, correspondence, and other material pertaining to Buford A. Johnson's military
service during and after World War II.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially by box and folder number.
Box 1, Folder 4
Memorandums, checklists, and other material pertaining to Buford A. Johnson's post-World War II military service
1952-1962
Box 1, Folder 5
Correspondence between the United States Air Force and Buford A. Johnson
1952-1956
Box 3
Scrapbook of newspaper clippings pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen
1945-1947
Box 3
Certificate of retirement from the United States Air Force
1966
Series 3. Awards
1999-2011
Series Scope and Contents
This series includes certificates and awards that Buford A. Johnson received in honor of his military achievements.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially by box and folder number.
Box 1, Folder 6
Certificate of recognition from the California State Senate
2011
Box 2
Heritage award presented to Buford A. Johnson from Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
1999
Box 2
Guest lecturer award presented to Buford A. Johnson from the National Museum of the United States Air Force
2006
Box 3
Distinguished achievement award presented to Buford A. Johnson from the National Museum of the Tuskegee Airmen
2004
Series 4. Publications
2001-2011
Series Scope and Contents
This series includes publications regarding Buford A. Johnson and the Tuskegee Airmen.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged sequentially by box and folder number.
Box 1, Folder 7
"70 Years of Aviation Excellence, 1941-2011" by Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
2011
Box 3
"Tuskegee Air-Mechanics: Duty, Honor, Dedication" reproduction cover from
Aviation Maintenance
2001
