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The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Nelson Robinson Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10251
SDASM.SC.10251
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Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Nelson Robinson Personal Papers
source:
Robinson, Nelson
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10251
Physical Description:
3 Cubic Feet
The collection contains materials collected by and related to Nelson B. Robinson during his career with the U.S. Airforce,
and involvement with the Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated. The material also includes personal and family history from his life
and military career, as well as documents belonging to his sister Hermyone Lolita Robinson McGhee. The collection includes
documents, correspondence, news articles and clippings, and photographs.
The collection contains materials collected by and related to Nelson B. Robinson during his career with the U.S. Airforce,
and involvement with the Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated. The material also includes personal and family history from his life
and military career, as well as documents belonging to his sister Hermyone Lolita Robinson McGhee. The collection includes
documents, correspondence, news articles and clippings, and photographs.
This is a four box collection: Two measuring 16.25 x 12.5 x 10.5"; one measuring ; and one measuring 12 1/2 x 16 1/2 x 3".
The collection has been organized into series.
Date (bulk): 1928-2022
Abstract: The collection contains materials collected by and related to Nelson B. Robinson during his career with the U.S. Airforce,
and involvement with the Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated. The material also includes personal and family history from his life
and military career, as well as documents belonging to his sister Hermyone Lolita Robinson McGhee. The collection includes
documents, correspondence, news articles and clippings, and photographs.
Physical Description: Description: This is a four box collection: Two measuring 16.25 x 12.5 x 10.5"; one measuring ; and one measuring 12 1/2 x
16 1/2 x 3". The collection has been organized into series.
Content notes: The collection contains materials collected by and related to Nelson B. Robinson during his career with the
U.S. Airforce, and involvement with the Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated. The material also includes personal and family history
from his life and military career, as well as documents belonging to his sister Hermyone Lolita Robinson McGhee. The collection
includes documents, correspondence, news articles and clippings, and photographs.
Language of Material:
English
.
Master Sergeant Nelson Beryl Robinson Sr. was born on March 2, 1928 in Kansas City, Kansas to Martha and Percy Robinson. He
was the youngest of five children and, as a child, joined the Boy Scouts, transitioned to the Civil Air Patrol and enlisted
in the U.S. Army Air Force on February 28, 1946.
He began basic training at Shepherd Army Air Base in Texas, finishing at Scott Field, Illinois. He attended aviation mechanics
school at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi and upon completion was assigned to the 99th Fighter Squadron at Lockbourne,
Ohio, an all-Black Army Air Force Base, under the command of then-Col Benjamin O. Davis Jr. All personnel in this unit would
become known as Tuskegee Airmen. After 3 years at Lockbourne, Nelson was one of the first African American aircraft mechanics
to be integrated into the U.S. Air Force under President Harry Truman's Executive Order 9981.
He was transferred to the 4th Fighter Squadron at Naha Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. There, he was an assistant aircraft
crew chief to Technical Sergeant Charles Chennault and was assigned to a P-61 Black Widow and an F-82G Twin Mustang. Subsequently,
he trained and flew as a flight engineer on the B-29, B-25, B-26, and C-119. Nelson saw action in Korea and despite passing
all USAF Aviation Cadet Exams, he was disqualified from the pilot training program due to a spot on his lung. He did, however
earn his private pilot's license on July 2, 1962 at Webb Air force Base, Texas. He was honorably discharged on August 31,
1968 after 22 ½ years of service.
Following his Air Force career, Nelson earned his B.A. in business administration and became an advocate for small business
owners in San Diego. In 1991, he joined the board of directors of the International Air & Space Hall of Fame. Nelson Robinson
married Loueida Winesberry at Kirtland Air Force Base, on April 4, 1954. Their son, Nelson Robinson Jr. was born on May 27,
1962. Nelson Robinson passed away on December 6, 2022 in San Diego, CA.
The collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this collection were donated to the San Diego Air & Space Museum in May 2023.
Series VI: Film
The following items have been removed from the collection and placed with the Audio/Visual Department of SDASM:
1. "Fight for Skies—Tail Out" – Reel of film
The following items have been removed from the collection and placed with the Curatorial Department of SDASM:
1. One pair of gloves (U.S. Air Force flying gloves)
2. One U.S. Army Air Force folding knife
3. One pilot/Aircrew pen light
4. One patch (3 service stripes/7 overseas service bars)
5. Three Service ribbon bars (8 ribbons)
6. One pocket size Bible, New Testaments Psalms
7. Three name badges (2 patches, 1 plastic)
8. Six dog tags (for Nelson and family members)
9. One pair of wings (U.S. Army Air Forces Aircrew badge)
10. Four insignia (U.S. Army Air Forces Enlisted personnel collar discs)
11. Two patches (USAF 36th Tactical Fighter Wing Squadron
12. Three patches (U.S. Air Force tape tabs)
13. Foreign Currency (4 paper notes, 22 coins)
14. One lighter and flints
15. One miniature flasks
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Tuskegee Airmen
African American air pilots
Black Aviators
Robinson, Nelson
Davis, Benjamin O.