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Jesperson (Max) Personal Papers
SDASM.SC.10170
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Lt. Col. Max O. Jesperson Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10170
Physical Description:
2 Cubic Feet
Description: The collection is housed in four boxes (10”x12.5”x15.5”).
Content notes: Complete records of Jesperson’s military education and career, beginning with his application in 1942 to his
final tour of duty at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: Max Jesperson served in the Air Force for over 26 years and took part in World War Two, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Max Oscar Jesperson was born in Tucson, Arizona, on March 3, 1922, to Oscar Fernando Jesperson and Martha Abegg Jesperson.
He graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1940 and enlisted in the Air Force Reserve Corps on September 12, 1942. He
was accepted as an Aviation Cadet at Santa Ana Army Air Base in California, where he completed his primary training and was
transferred to AAF Pilot School at Minter Field, in Bakersfield, California on August 25, 1943. He completed his advanced
training at Luke Field in Phoenix, Arizona and was assigned to active pilot duty as a 2nd Lieutenant on January 7, 1944. He
reported to Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas for Basic Instructors Course, and upon completion, had received training
in the B-17 and A-6 at Hobbs Army Air Field in New Mexico. On April 16, 1945, he was assigned back to Minter Field as a Flight
Instructor and promoted to 1st Lieutenant on August 3, 1945. In August 1946, he was sent to Lechfeld Army Air Base, Germany,
and the 305th Bomb Group, where he participated in the “Casey Jones Project,” which was the mapping of Germany by air in a
B-17. He separated from the service and went into the Reserves, joining the Arizona Air National Guard (Copperheads). He was
recalled back to active duty in February, 1951, and served as a combat crew instructor at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, and
then at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Jesperson was promoted to Captain and flew the F-86 with the 12th Squadron, 18th Fighter
Bomber Wing, at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, then went on to Korea. After Korea, he was assigned to George Air Force Base, California,
where he flew the F-100. He flew the F-104 for six years, two years at squadron level, two years at headquarters level, and
two years with the German Air Force, assigned to the 33rd Fighter Bomb Wing, German Luftwaffenamt at Buchel Air Base. He was
promoted to Lt. Col. on April 17, 1965.
After going through F-4 Phantom training at George Air Force Base, he was assigned to the 389th TFS, 366th TFW at DaNang Air
Base, Vietnam, where he flew the F-4, C-47, and OV-2. This included 110 combat hours, including missions to Khe Sahn in support
of the US Marines. His final tour of duty was with the Air Force Special Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque,
New Mexico, where he was responsible for air support for underground nuclear testing at the Nevada test site and the Aleutian
Chain.
During his 26.5 years of active duty, Jesperson served in three wars and received the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service medal,
Air medal, Commendation medal, AF Outstanding Unit award, Combat Ready medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Air Campaign medal,
EAME Campaign medal, WWII Victory medal, Army Occupation medal, National Defense medal with silver star, Korean Service medal,
Vietnam Service medal, AF Longevity with silver cluster, AF Reserve, Small Arms Expert, United Nations Service medal, RVN
Commendation medal, and RVN Air Service medal.
He was married to Virginia “Ginny” Glendora Jesperson (Feb. 14, 1923 – Oct. 20, 2015) and had three children. Mrs. Jesperson
served as President of the Hq 12th Air Force Officers’ Wives’ Club, Texas. Max Jesperson passed away on November 5, 2014 and
is buried at Miramar National Cemetery.
The collection is open to research by appointment, some restrictions may apply.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Description: The collection is housed in four boxes (10”x12.5”x15.5”).
Content notes: Complete records of Jesperson’s military education and career, beginning with his application in 1942 to his
final tour of duty at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.
North American F-100 Super Sabre, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II Aircraft Files.
Vietnam War Subject Files.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
McDonnell Douglas aircraft
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
North American F-100 Super Sabre
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Family
389th Tactical Fighter Squadron
North American F-86 Sabre
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Korean War 1950-1953
305th Bomb Group
Luke Field
Jesperson, Max