The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Richard Brookins Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10177
AR
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
8/15
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: Richard Clarence Brookins Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10177
Physical Description:
1.3 Cubic Feet
This is a three box collection, each of different sizes. Three boxes with three different measurements: 15.25 x 12.5 x 5 inches,
15.25 x 10.5 x 5 inches, and 15.25 x 10.5 x 2.5 inches. The collection contains collection contains photos (personal, official,
reconnaissance), photo albums and negatives, certificates, scrapbooks, service records, and student pilots logs during training.
There was also correspondence - both personal and military – as well as newspaper clippings and artifacts both from WWII and
his days at Astronautics and S.A.C., and a few personal mementos.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: Richard C. Brookins was born December 30, 1918 in Glendale, Ca. He graduated Louisiana State University in June of 1941 and
went to work as a Srtess Analyst at Lockheed Aviation in Los Angeles. He was selected for flying school a month later, and
then joined the 352nd Fighter Wing nicknamed “The Bluenose Bastards of Bodney” by German General Goering. Brookins flew two
tours as combat pilot and was shot down twice and had to bail out a total of three times. He flew Spitfires, P-47’s and P-51’s,
and always named his planes “The Duchess.”
After the war ended, he became a test pilot with the Thunderbirds.
Biographical / Historical
Richard C. Brookins was born December 30, 1918 in Glendale, Ca. He graduated Louisiana State University in June of 1941 and
went to work as a Srtess Analyst at Lockheed Aviation in Los Angeles. He was selected for flying school a month later, and
then joined the 352nd Fighter Wing nicknamed “The Bluenose Bastards of Bodney” by German General Goering. Brookins flew two
tours as combat pilot and was shot down twice and had to bail out a total of three times. He flew Spitfires, P-47’s and P-51’s,
and always named his planes “The Duchess.”
After the war ended, he became a test pilot with the Thunderbirds. Before he retired in 1970, his resume included establishing
aircraft maintenance capability for NATO allies, building and testing the missile defense program, and serving as the Inspector
General for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) for two years.
After retiring, he moved to San Diego to join Anthony Schools, where he served as CEO and Executive Vice President for ten
years. In 1976 he was divorced and was re-married in 1977. He again retired in 1980 and became a full-time Christian Science
Practitioner. From 1989 to 1991 he was a Christian Science Lecturer and he was active in 6th Church of Christ, Scientist and
later, 4th Church in La Jolla.
Col. Richard C. Brookins passed away on December 7, 2003.
Conditions Governing Use
The collection is open to use by appointment. Some copyright may apply.
Related Materials
352nd Fighter Group photos
Scope and Contents
This is a three box collection, each of different sizes. Three boxes with three different measurements: 15.25 x 12.5 x 5 inches,
15.25 x 10.5 x 5 inches, and 15.25 x 10.5 x 2.5 inches. The collection contains collection contains photos (personal, official,
reconnaissance), photo albums and negatives, certificates, scrapbooks, service records, and student pilots logs during training.
There was also correspondence - both personal and military – as well as newspaper clippings and artifacts both from WWII and
his days at Astronautics and S.A.C., and a few personal mementos.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
352nd Fighter Group
381st Strategic Missile Command
328th Fighter Squadron
Distinguished Flying Cross (Medal)
McConnell AFB, Kansas
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
North American P-51 Mustang Family
Brookins, Richard
Le May, Curtis
SERIES I: Personal information & Letters/Correspondence
Folder 1 – Identification, Address Book
Physical Description: 1. Pocket Address book. 2. Air Force Basic Flying School Officer’s Identification Card. 3. Armed Forces of the United States
Identification Card 4. U.S. Army Air Corps Training Detachment Identification Card 5. Special Passport (U.S.) addressed to
Richard C. Brookins. 6. Airman Certificate and Airman Certificate (both for private and commercial pilots) 7. Two certificates
for “Evidence of Aeronautical Knowledge.”
Folder 2 – Letters, Correspondence
Physical Description: This folder contains letters addressed to Col. Brookins by associates, groups, and fans, as well as the War Department; Col.
Brookins also wrote to his folks and his wife.
SERIES II: Service Records & Proficiency Certificates
Folder 3 – Military Documents & Orders
Physical Description: This folder contains several documents including general and special orders, authorizations, messages, service record, Field
Grade Officer Effectiveness reports, a retirement folder with the order, and more.
Folder 4 – Certificates of Proficiency
Physical Description: This folder includes a wide variety of certificates including a commercial pilot certificate, an instrument pilot certificate,
transition flying training, first pilot instructor, Air Force training (specialized fighter transition), and more.
SERIES III: Student Pilot Logbooks
Folder 5 – Student Pilot Logbooks
Physical Description: 1. Civil Aeronautics Authority Student Pilot Log Book from July 22, 1940 to August 10, 1942. 2. L.S.U. Flying School Student
Pilot Log Book from November 28, 1939 to April 12, 1941.
SERIES IV: Publications, Media, Union Tribune Obit. Forms
Folder 6 – Journal, Radio Script, Newspapers (Union Tribune Obituary)
Physical Description: 1. L.R.B. & M. Journal, Vol. 25 No. 4, September 1944. 2. Army Hour Apri 11 AWS Spot, April 11, 1943. 3. Contrails, Vol. 5,
No. 12, March 26, 1965. (x2) 4. Westover, Vol 9, No. 11, March 22, 1963. 5. Three newspaper clips (LA Times, Angeles Mesa
news, unknown) 6. Unknown publication, article title: “L.S.U. Aids in Flight Training.” 7. Blue folder with obituary contents
sent to Union Tribune. Includes obituary form, DD-214 form, a short biography, and multiple photocopied portrait.
Folder 7 – Maps #1 - California
Physical Description: This folder contains a handful of maps. One is a map of London; the rest are maps or Germany.
Folder 8 – Miscellaneous
Physical Description: This folder contains an assortment of papers including binder paper drawings, atlas facilities layout and equipment, a nameplate,
and records jackets.
SERIES VII: Negatives & Photographs
Folder 1 – Negatives
Physical Description: This folder contains three negatives of aircraft in flight, and one negative of two men posing for a photograph next to an
aircraft.
Folder 2 – Reconnaissance photographs of Germany
Physical Description: This folder contains twenty five aerial photographs of German landmarks and key structures.
Folder 3 – Photographs 1 of 2
Physical Description: This folder contains dozens of smaller photographs of aircrafts, Col. Brookins, personal photographs, his unit and his peers,
portrait photographs, and more.
Folder 4 – Photographs 2 of 2
Physical Description: This folder contains dozens of larger photographs of Col. Brookins posing for portraits, aircraft, and associates.
SERIES VIII - Patch 1. Strategic Air Command Patch
SERIES IX: Scrapbooks & Albums
Photograph Scrapbook
Physical Description: 1. 12.75” x 10” 1.5” Navy blue Photographic scrapbook (with a brass plate) filled mostly with small photographs, but also
contains newspaper clips, stickers, and a certificate given to Brookens from the Institute of the Blind at A.F.B.F.S Gardner
Field, Cal. On June 20, 1942.
SERIES IX: Scrapbooks & Albums (cont)
Photograph Scrapbook
Physical Description: 2. Commemorative album given to Col. Richard Brookins (Inspector General) by the members of Strategic Air Command. The album
is a token of their appreciation for his work. It contains several photographs of associates, peers, and friends with humorous
captions. It also contains some comics, verses, “parting shots,” funny narratives, and more.
Photograph Scrapbook
Physical Description: 3. Scrapbook given to Col. Richard Brookens from 381st Strat MSL WG McConnell AFB, Kansas presumably following his retirement
as an SAC Inspector General. The scrapbook contains signatures and humorous cartoons of Brookins at the workplace.
SERIES X – Oversized certificates and publications
Folder 1 – Magazines
Physical Description: 1. Note to Col. Brookins (“Dick”) from Marc Hamel (2 pages); Letter from Col. Brookins to Marc (1 page); Friends Journal Article
Vol. 21, No. 2 Summer 1998 “Ed Zellner Fighter Pilot, Evader, Partisan,” by Marc L. Hamel 4 pages; one Magazine “Air Classics,”
Vol. 34, No. 11, November, 1998 2. Publication for the 352nd Fighter Group “352nd…Second to None,” Major General William E.
Kenner, Former CG, 8th Fighter Comd. 3. “Rank’n’ File” Anniversary Edition, Class 42-H, April, 1942. 4. “In Memoriam - LSU
Alumni News,” May, 1945. 5. “Luke Field,” Class 42-H, Phoenix Arizona
Folder 2 – Certificates & Awards
Physical Description: This folder contains fifteen certificates ranging from a diploma from LSU, a Caterpillar Club Certificate, Air Corps training
certificate, a certificate of retirement, and more. Also included are 23 papers varying from citations (Air Medal, Oak Leaf
Clusters, Purple Heart, and Distinguished Flying Cross)