Descriptive Finding Guide for the Maj. Oscar F. Perdomo Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10115

Alan Renga
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
11/11/2014
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: Oscar F. Perdomo Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10115
Physical Description: 1.1 Cubic Feet The collection is housed in two separate boxes, one being a 5”x10.5”x15” standing box and a 3”x16.5”x21” flat box.
Date (inclusive): 1919-1976
Abstract: Major Oscar Perdomo flew a P-47 Thunderbolt with the 464th fighter squadron, 507th fighter Group USAAF in the Pacific Theater, where he became the last “Ace in a Day” of WWII.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Conditions Governing Use

Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.

Preferred Citation

[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum Library & Archives”]

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

Biographical / Historical

Major Oscar Francis Perdomo was the son of Mexican immigrants, born on June 14, 1919 in El Paso, Texas. Five years after his birth, his family moved to California to the city of Los Angeles. After Perdomo received the required education, in February 1943, Perdomo entered the Army Air Forces (AAF) as an aviation cadet. He underwent training in Phoenix, Arizona, and Minter Field, California. After he graduated from flight school January 7, 1944, and briefly became one of the school’s instructors. Soon after, he requested to be sent into overseas service in World War II. At the Army Air Forces Basic Flight School at Chico, California, he underwent further training as a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt pilot. While on a sweep mission over Kyushu, Japan in 1945, in service with the 507th Fighter Group, he shot down five enemy planes in his Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, “Li’l Meatie’s Meat Chopper” (serial 44-88211), to become the last ace of World War II.
After the war, he joined the Reserve and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He left military service in 1958 with the rank of Major. He passed away tragically on March 2, 1976. Among his decorations and awards were the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and Air Medal.

Scope and Contents

The collection is housed in two separate boxes, one being a 5”x10.5”x15” standing box and a 3”x16.5”x21” flat box. The collection has legal size documents and standard size documents. The materials in the collection are organized by the type of document and chronologically. The collection contains various military documents and correspondence, containing information about Major Oscar Francis Perdomo service and flight career during WWII. The collection also contains photographs, awards, and newspaper clippings.

Related Materials

02_Bio_Photo_corrected Oct 2012 (02_P-00168 – 02_P-00183) 507th Fighter Group, World War II, K. Perdomo Album (AL-059) Republic P-47 Thunderbolt photos (01_00002954 - 01_00003037)

Subjects and Indexing Terms

507th Fighter Group
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
World War, 1939-1945
Korean War 1950-1953
Pacific Theater
Perdomo, Oscar F.

 

Box 01

 

Folder 01 – Donor Information

 

Folder 02 – Photographs

Physical Description: Folder contains approximately 60 photos of Maj. Oscar F. Perdomo of the U.S Air Force and squadron mates.
 

Folder 03 I – Military Documents and Correspondence

Physical Description: Folder contains approximately 100 military documents such as special orders and letters from headquarters.
 

Folder 04 II – Military Documents and Correspondence

Physical Description: Folder contains approximately 100 of Oscar F. Perdomo’s military documents and correspondence.
 

Folder 05 III – Military Documents and Correspondence

Physical Description: Folder contains approximately 150 of his documents and records.
 

Folder 06 – Correspondence

Physical Description: Folder contains letters from the military concerning his son’s death in the Vietnam War.
 

Folder 07 – Medical Records

Physical Description: Folder contains the records of Maj. Perdomo’s checkups and immunizations.
 

Folder 08 – Awards

Physical Description: Folder contains the awards that Oscar F. Perdomo earned in his time as a pilot in the U.S Air Force.
 

Folder 09 – Newspaper Clipping

Physical Description: Various newspaper clippings about Perdomo’s experiences.
 

Box 02

Physical Description: 2 Photo Albums