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Descriptive Finding Guide for the Richard M. Denbo Personal Papers
SDASM.SC.10036
SDASM.SC.10036
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Title: Richard Denbo Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10036
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.7 Cubic feet
Two boxes with dimensions 12 ¼ x 10 ¼ x 5 inches.
Date (inclusive): 1897-1989
Abstract: Richard M. Denbo was born on March 10, 1897 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Denbo served as an aviation engine mechanic. He transferred
his interest as an auto mechanic to aircraft engines when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1917. He was assigned to the
80th as Chauffeur-Mechanic in the 805th Aero Squadron in France and England between January 22, 1918, and June 5, 1919.
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum
Library & Archives”]
Richard M. Denbo was born on March 10, 1897 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Denbo served as an aviation engine mechanic. He transferred
his interest as an auto mechanic to aircraft engines when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1917. He was assigned to the
80th as Chauffeur-Mechanic in the 805th Aero Squadron in France and England between January 22, 1918, and June 5, 1919. He
returned to Texas in 1919 where he received an honorable discharge. Denbo continued working with engines and heavy equipment,
and built runways for the Post Air Mail Services.
His serial number was 31589.
Richard Denbo passed away in Los Angeles on September 14, 1989.
There are two boxes with dimensions 12 ¼ x 10 ¼ x 5 inches. The range of materials in this collection range from photographs,
a negative, newspapers, paper, leather, and fabric. There is a photographic poster rolled up and stored in the second box
with a protective cardboard buffer. The collection is arranged by material type. The collection consists of World War I Army
Air Corps memorabilia, clippings, diaries, photographs, postcards, correspondence, and documents. Additional paraphernalia
and artifacts can be found in SDASM’s curatorial department.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Related Archival Materials note
The SDASM Library & Archives contains hundreds of images of World War I (AL-19) and Air Mail Pioneers (AL-13).
Secondary Sources: Leary, William M. Aerial Pioneers: the U.S. air mail service, 1918-1927. Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution
Press, 1985.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Denbo, Richard M., 1887-1989
United States. Army Air Forces.
805th Aero Squadron US Army Air Corps
Air mail service
Air Mail Service--United States--1930-1940
World War, 1914-1918