The Descriptive Finding Guide for the William Tascher Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10167
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: William Tascher Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10167
Physical Description:
.5 Cubic Feet
Description: There are two archival banker-sized boxes, each measuring 15.75”L x 9.75”H x 12.75”W. Box 1 also contains a
smaller archival storage box inside, measuring 12.75”L x 3”H x 9.5”W containing patches, “Short Snorter,” two silk escape
maps, two books, and ID cards.
Content Notes: This collection contains service records, associated papers, rosters, year books, log books, very detailed
service records and personal papers, awards, class books, commemorative books, albums, etc. Photos have been removed from
the frames and envelopes for conservation and duplication to the photo files.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: Tascher graduated from pilot training as part of class 44A in January 1944 and was assigned to North American B-25 training
at Columbia AAB, SC with additional training at Mather Field, CA. In December 1944, he was assigned to the 341st Bomb Group,
491st Bomb Squadron at Yangkai air base in China, flying combat missions against the Japanese in various models of the B-25
Mitchell and earning a DSC and Purple Heart for his service.
Biographical / Historical
William V. Tascher was born in Denver, Colorado, on February 9, 1921. He attended Horace Mann Junior High, graduated from
Hoover High School in 1939, and graduated from San Diego State University in 1942. Between June and September, Tascher earned
a private pilot’s license flying a Piper J-3 Cub at the Speer Flying Service in San Diego. He enlisted in the USAAC on September
11, 1942 and, upon his graduation from college, received his primary flight training with class 12th Se-L at Thunderbird Field,
Mesa, AZ, in June 1943. He subsequently received basic flight training in Vultee BT-13s at Pecos AAB, TX; advanced training
(twin engine) at Fort Sumner AAB, NM in Cessna AT-17s. Tascher graduated from pilot training as part of class 44A in January
1944 and was assigned to North American B-25 training at Columbia AAB, SC with additional training at Mather Field, CA. In
December 1944, he was assigned to the 341st Bomb Group, 491st Bomb Squadron at Yangkai air base in China, flying combat missions
against the Japanese in various models of the B-25 Mitchell and earning a DSC and Purple Heart for his service. At the end
of the war, Tascher returned to the United States and was mustered out of active duty in December 1945. He would continue
to serve in the Reserves until 1953. Tascher passed away in 2012.
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
Description: There are two archival banker-sized boxes, each measuring 15.75”L x 9.75”H x 12.75”W. Box 1 also contains a
smaller archival storage box inside, measuring 12.75”L x 3”H x 9.5”W containing patches, “Short Snorter,” two silk escape
maps, two books, and ID cards.
Content Notes: This collection contains service records, associated papers, rosters, year books, log books, very detailed
service records and personal papers, awards, class books, commemorative books, albums, etc. Photos have been removed from
the frames and envelopes for conservation and duplication to the photo files.
Related Materials
391st Photos.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Speer Flying Service
341st Bomb Group
391st Bomb Squadron
North American B-25 Mitchell
Volte BT-13
Tascher, William V
Series I: Personal Records
Archival Box 1 of 1
Physical Description: 1. 3 panoramic graduation photos: St. Catherine’s Military School, 1944; Los Angeles High School, 1949; Los Angeles City College,
1951.
2. “Book of Instructions For Students, Compliments of Eddie Martin’s Airport,” Santa Ana, Calif. (reproduction).
3. Magazine article, “The Lady of Sequoia,” Air Clues, May 1984.
4. Book, “Tiger Tales,” by Milt Miller, 1984 (autographed by author to Bill Tascher).
5. “I’ve got wings!” safety training booklet published by US Army Air Forces.
6. Two AAF issued silk maps: No. 32 French Indo China; Lower Burma and Siam.
7. Tascher’s “Short Snorter” with 16 pieces of paper currency from the US, India, Indochina, China, Japan, the Philippines,
Hong Kong, and Russia.
8. Three patches from various units Tascher was associated with.
9. Three decals.
10. Eleven various ID cards.
11. Three Enlisted Men’s Club ticket stubs.
12. One postcard.
13. One “Rejected or Condemned Tag.’
14. One fake $10 bill.
15. Three miniature copies of DD214.
Folder 1 – Horace Mann Junior High School Graduation program, 1934
Folder 2 – Hoover High School Graduation program, 1939
Series II: Correspondence
Folder 3 – Personal Letters
Physical Description: Six Letters to younger brother, John Tascher, Aug 14, 1943 – July 30, 1944.
Series III: Military career-related material
Folder 4 – Squadron 57 Roster, April 17, 1943
Folder 4 – Squadron 57 Roster, April 17, 1943
Folder 6 – Fort Sumner AAF Pilot School, graduation class 44-A, Jan. 7, 1944
Folder 7 – St. Catherine’s Military School, graduation ceremony, 1946
Folder 8 – Advanced Training Records, January 1944 to October 1944
Folder 9 – Orders, 1943 to 1945
Folder 10 – Orders, January 7, 1944 to November 8, 1945
Folder 11 – Individual Flight Record, August 1943 to September 1945
Folder 12 – Administrative Records, January 1944 to October 1945 1. Purple Heart Citation June 3, 1945.
Folder 13 - William V. Tascher 4th Air Force, September 1945 to 1953 Reserves
Folder 14 – AAF Certificate of Appreciation
Folder 15 – VA Benefits, 1946-47
Folder 16 – 22nd Bomb Squad Association
Folder 17 – 14th Air Force Association
Folder 18 – Photocopied diary of Lt. Clifford G. Schillinger, 491st Bomb Squad (M) AAF, 1943-44
Folder 20 – Line-crossing certificates 1. “Benevolent Order of Misfortunate Yankees,” Nov. 12, 1945. (Oversized). 2. “Brotherhood
of Argentia Foreign Legion,” Jan. 21, 1955.
Folder 21 – Copies of B-25 “Wabash Cannonball” Crash removal, Sept. 2006
Folder 23 – Roundup Newspapers Two Roundup Newspapers, June 22, 1944 and Aug. 23, 1945.
Folder 24 – Newspaper Clippings Two newspaper clipping on Flying Tigers “Active Duty” status, July 6 and 7, 1991.
Folder 25 - Two Aeronautical Flight Charts, San Diego and Los Angeles, 1954
Series VI: Albums
Physical Description: 1. Scrapbook, 1942-1945.
2. Photo album, wood covers titled, “U.S. Army Air Force.” Mid-1940s.
3. Picture book, “Chennault’s Flying Tigers, A Commemorative History of the American Volunteer Group, China Air Task Force,
1941-1945.”
4. Picture book, “Chennault’s Flying Tigers, A Commemorative History of the American Volunteer Group, China Air Task Force,
1941-1945. Vol. II.”
5. Yearbook, “Torque, A.A.F. Basic Flying School, Pecos Army Flying School, Pecos, Texas, Class 44-A.” (Cover is deteriorating
and covered with wax paper).
6. San Diego State College yearbook, “Del Sudoeste, 1941.”
7. San Diego State College yearbook, “Del Sudoeste, 1940.”
8. Hoover High School yearbook, “Dias Cardinales, 1939.”
