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Arthur C. Harmon papers
MS 313
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Title: Arthur C. Harmon papers
Date (inclusive): 1940-2006, undated
Date (bulk): 1995-2006
Collection Number: MS 313
Creator:
Harmon, Arthur C.
Extent:
10.5 linear feet
(8 boxes)
Repository:
Rivera Library. Special Collections Department.
Riverside, CA 92517-5900
Abstract: This collection is comprised of material that documents the military career and personal life of Arthur C. Harmon, a Lieutenant
Colonel of the United States Air Force who trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field during World War II. It contains items collected
or created by Harmon regarding United States military history including that of the Tuskegee Airmen, African American history,
and Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Military service records, correspondence, certificates, flight manuals, pilot supplies, clothing,
newspaper clippings, videotapes, books, patches, photographs, and other material are included.
Languages: The collection is in English.
The collection is open for research.
Copyright Unknown: Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction,
and/or commercial use, of some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and
publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by
copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions
apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also required. Responsibility for
obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
[identification of item], [date if possible]. Arthur C. Harmon papers (MS 313). Special Collections & University Archives,
University of California, Riverside.
Gift of Claire Harmon, in 2008. Additional materials were donated in 2009 and 2012.
Processed by Eric Milenkiewicz, Archives Assistant, 2008 and updated in 2009 and 2012.
Arthur C. Harmon was born in Topeka, Kansas on June 26, 1925 and raised in Los Angeles, California. As a young child, Harmon
became captivated by aviation through radio programs such as the Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen and model airplane building.
He also showed an early interest in music and at the age of seventeen became a member of the local Musicians Union. In 1943,
Harmon decided to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a pilot and joined the United States Army Air Corps. He trained at
the Tuskegee Army Air Field and graduated from class TE-45-G as a Second Lieutenant on October 16, 1945. Upon graduation,
he was assigned to the 617th Medium Bombardment Squadron of the 477th Composite group as a pilot. This group never saw action
in World War II as Japan surrendered before their training was complete and the group was disbanded on July 1, 1947.
Upon his discharge from the United States Air Force (USAF) Harmon decided to pursue his other early interest of music by attending
and majoring in Music at George Pepperdine College (currently Pepperdine University). In 1951, he was recalled by the USAF
and continued his military career on assignments at Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), Fairchild AFB, Yokota Air Base (AB),
Hill AFB, Elmendorf AFB, and Langley AFB. Harmon worked in the Strategic Air Command, Alaskan Air Command, and in the Major
Air Command Aircraft Accident Prevention of the 4500th Air Base Wing. During the course of his military career, in 1953, Harmon
was married to Irene Prince. In 1968, he retired from the USAF as a Major and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the United
States Air Force Reserve. After his retirement from the United States military Harmon settled in Lucas Valley-Marinwood, California
and worked for Baldwin Piano and Organ Company as a sales representative and store manager. Additionally, he was part of the
Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band as well as an active member of the Retired Military Officers Association,
the Air Force Association, and the William "Bill" Campbell chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Arthur C. Harmon passed away at
his Marin County, California home on May 10th, 2006 at the age of eighty.
| 1925 | Arthur C. Harmon was born in Topeka, Kansas on June 26th. |
| 1929 | Harmon's family moved to Los Angeles, California. |
| 1942 | Harmon became a member of the Musicians Union. |
| 1943 | Harmon joined the United States Army Air Corps. |
| 1945 | Harmon graduated as a member of class TE-45-G as a Second Lieutenant on October 16th. |
| 1953 | Harmon married Irene Prince on August 1st. |
| 1968 | Harmon retired from the United States Air Force on August 1st. |
| 2006 | Arthur C. Harmon died on May 10th. |
| 2008 | A soil exposure on Mars was named after Harmon and investigated by the Mars Exploration Rover, Spirit, as a target of scientific interest. |
This collection documents the military career and personal life of Arthur C. Harmon, a Lieutenant Colonel of the United States
Air Force who trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field during World War II. Materials consist of military service records, correspondence,
certificates, flight manuals, and pilot supplies. This collection also includes items collected or created by Arthur C. Harmon
regarding the history of the United States military, African American history, and Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Newspaper clippings,
clothing, videotapes, books, patches, and photographs are included.
This collection is arranged into five series as follows:
- Series 1. African American history, 1995-1998, undated
- Series 2. Military history, 1945-2005, undated
- Series 3. Military service, 1940-2006, undated
- Series 4. Personal history, 1995-2006, undated
- Series 5. Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., 1988-2003, undated
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
United States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Squadron, 99th
United States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Group, 332nd
African American fighter pilots
World War, 1939-1945
Badges
Clippings (information artifacts)
Pins (jewelry)
Videocassettes