Descriptive Finding Guide for the Richard M. Denbo Personal Papers
SDASM.SC.10036
Finding aid prepared by Alan Renga
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA, 92101
(619) 234-8291
11/5/2014
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.
Conditions Governing Use note
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
Preferred Citation note
[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum
Library & Archives”]
Biographical/Historical note
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.
Scope and Contents note
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
Folder 01 – Letters/Correspondence
Physical Description:
This folder contains dozens of letters and envelopes to and from Richard Denbo’s parents and family, and a companion Mollie
Webster.
Folder 02 – Military Documents & Certificates
Physical Description:
This folder contains a variety of military articles including permission slips, tickets, booklets, certificates, memos, the
world’s smallest bible, and pay records.
Folder 03 – Jacob’s Ladders
Physical Description:
This folder contains two Jacob’s ladders with stock World War I images.
Folder 04 – Metro Schedule & Tickets
Physical Description:
This folder contains a handful of metro tickets and a map of Paris.
Folder 05 – Newspapers
Physical Description:
1. Herald Examiner, School History of the World War, Chicago, September 28, 1919.
2. Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah, October 17, 1942.
3. New York Herald, February 18, 1919.
4. Unidentified newspaper clip
Folder 06 – TWA & AA Brochures and Maps
Physical Description:
1. TWA Brochure, “A New Constellation in the Skies.”
2. TWA Air Routes in the United States.
3. American Airlines System Map.
Folder 07 – The Roll Call Magazine
Physical Description:
1. The Roll Call Air Mail Pioneers, Second Edition, 1956.
Folder 08 – Air Mail Pioneers
Physical Description:
1. Air Mail Pioneer Member sticker.
2. U.S. Air Mail mechanic application.
3. Air Mail Pioneers Membership Address packet, September 1970-1971.
Folder 09 – Post Cards
Physical Description:
This folder contains dozens of postcards with messages, and some with images from World War I.
Folder 10 – 1 Negative and Photographs 1
Physical Description:
These two photographic folders contain over four hundred images from World War I.
Folder 11 – Photographs 2
Physical Description:
These two photographic folders contain over four hundred images from World War I.
Folder 12 – Digitized Photos & Documents
Physical Description:
Digitized images and documents from this collection
Folder 13 – Booklets 1
Physical Description:
1. Paus, W. Thallon, Practical Hints on Paris, 1919.
2. Salut de Paris à ľ Amérique. A collection of postcards (and 2 separate images).
3. Wichita Wholesale Grocery Company Pocket Notebook, 1912.
Folder 14 – Booklets 2
Physical Description:
1. Hello New York Sight-Seeing Tour, War Camp Community Service, given by New York Motor Owners.
2. Paris Monumental Métropolitain pocket city guide.
3. Anglais-Français pocket dictionary, 1918.
4. Pocket New Testament, December 12, 1817.
Folder 15 – Wallet and Booklets 3
Physical Description:
1. Sheffield Brick Co. LTD One Day Diary and Pocket Note Book, 1918.
2. Brown Leather Wallet
3. First National Bank, Stamford, Texas, pocket booklet.
