Arthur C. Harmon papers

Finding aid prepared by Eric Milenkiewicz, Archives Assistant.

Special Collections & University Archives

The UCR Library

P.O. Box 5900

University of California

Riverside, California 92517-5900

Phone: 951-827-3233

Fax: 951-827-4673

Email: specialcollections@ucr.edu

URL: http://library.ucr.edu/libraries/special-collections-university-archives

Descriptive Summary

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.

Access

The collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

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.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [date if possible]. Arthur C. Harmon papers (MS 313). Special Collections & University Archives, University of California, Riverside.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Claire Harmon, in 2008. Additional materials were donated in 2009 and 2012.

Processing History

Processed by Eric Milenkiewicz, Archives Assistant, 2008 and updated in 2009 and 2012.

Biographical Note

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.

Chronology

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.

Collection Scope and Contents

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.

Collection Arrangement

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

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

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

Genres and Forms of Materials

Badges

Clippings (information artifacts)

Pins (jewelry)

Videocassettes

Series 1. African American history 1995-1998, undated

Series Scope and Contents

This series contains material regarding African American history. Newspaper clippings and other material regarding the role of African Americans in aviation are included.

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically by format type.

Box 1, Folder 1

Magazine, San Francisco Focus featuring the article "Inner City Kids Take Flight" by Donna Rosenthal 1995

Box 1, Folder 1

Newsletter, Bay Area Black Pilots Association circa 1996

Box 1, Folder 1

Newspaper clipping, photograph of J. Alfred Phelps from the Marin Independent Journal undated

Box 1, Folder 1

Newspaper clipping, "Sky the limit for Castro Valley teen" by Greg Bardsley (photocopy) undated

Box 1, Folder 1

Newspaper clipping, "Teenagers Take to the Air" by Henry K. Lee 1994 July 20

Box 1, Folder 1

Newspaper clipping, "This senior is by no means spaced out" by Greg Bardsley (photocopy) undated

Box 1, Folder 1

Newspaper clipping, "Tuskegee Airmen's 'at risk' teens in Flight" by Kimberly Williams (photocopy) undated

Box 1, Folder 1

Newspaper clipping, "Young Eagles find aspirations in clouds" by Cornelia Grumman (photocopy) undated

Box 3

VHS, "An American Moment with James Earl Jones" 1998

Series 2. Military history 1945-2005, undated

Series Scope and Contents

This series contains material regarding the history of the United States military. Patches, videotapes, and other material regarding the Tuskegee Airmen and military units of the United States are included.

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically by format type.

Box 5

Action figure, Tuskegee Bomber Pilot from the GI Joe Classic Collection (in original packaging) 1996

Box 5

Action figure, Tuskegee Fighter Pilot from the GI Joe Classic Collection (in original packaging) 1996

Box 4, Folder 1

Badge, Alaskan Air Command military insignia undated

Box 4, Folder 1

Badge, Electronic Countermeasures military insignia undated

Box 4, Folder 1

Badge, gold eagle on a black background undated

Box 4, Folder 1

Badge, Strategic Air Command military insignia (quantity, 2) undated

Box 4, Folder 1

Badge, Tactical Air Command military insignia undated

Box 4, Folder 1

Badge, United States Far East Air Force insignia undated

Box 4, Folder 1

Badge, United States flag undated

Box 4, Folder 1

Badge, white U2 aircraft on a black background undated

Box 1, Folder 2

Comic strip, "Soul Corner" featuring Major Charles M. Brown from the Sacramento Bee (reproduction) 1999

Box 1, Folder 2

Correspondence, from Colonel Charles E. McGee to Original Airmen requesting donations to the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Fund 2005

Box 8

Jacket, brown colored goatskin bomber jacket with squadron insignias on the back and names of the Tuskegee Airmen listed on the inside lining made by Avirex Limited undated

framed-artwork Box 10

Lithograph, "Red Tail Angels" by John D. Shaw containing Tuskegee Airmen signatures (framed) undated

Flat-File-Folder 1

Map, pilotage chart of Fairbanks, Alaska published by the United States Air Force 1960

Box 1, Folder 4

Magazine, Ebony featuring the article "Tuskegee Airmen: Still Flying High" 1994

Box 1, Folder 4

Newspaper clipping, "Flying start: CAP, AFROTC joint flight program lifts off; historic Ala. airfield serves as site of start" from Civil Air Patrol News (photocopy) 1994

Box 1, Folder 4

Newspaper clipping, "They helped shoot down Nazism, wound racism" by Steve Gibson 1993 August 21

Box 1, Folder 4

Newspaper clipping, "WWII pilots meet, recall segregation" by Andrew Sorensen 1993 August 13

Box 6

Mug, 4677th DSES military insignia and gold trim undated

Box 1, Folder 4

Newspaper clipping, "They Fought on Two Fronts, Tuskegee Airmen Gather to Recall War With Germany - and Prejudice" by Michael D. Shear from the Washington Post (photocopy) 1995

Box 1, Folder 5

Photograph, United States Air Force B-29 bomber plane undated

Box 1, Folder 5

Photographic print, Spencer Isabelle wearing a bomber jacket 1945

Box 1, Folder 5

Photographic print, unidentified individuals including a young man in a military uniform (quantity, 2) undated

Box 1, Folder 3

Portfolio, documentary presentation for "The Freedom Flyers: Stories of the Tuskegee Airmen" produced by Lisa Boags/Rahailsa Enterprises, Inc. 1997

Box 1, Folder 3

Portfolio, documentary proposal for "Stories of the Tuskegee Airmen" produced by Lisa Boags/Rahailsa Enterprises, Inc. 1995

Box 1, Folder 5

Program, for the funeral of General Daniel "Chappie" James 1978

Box 6

Stein, gold trim with the 4677th DSES military insignia undated

Box 1, Folder 5

Sticker, 4677th DSES military insignia (quantity, 23) undated

Box 8

T-shirt, short sleeve tan colored t-shirt signed by Robert L. Martin and Melvin E. Knazze with front chest logo that reads "332 FG Red Tails" undated

Box 3

VHS, "Stories of the Tuskegee Airmen" documentary presentation video produced by Lisa Boags/Rahailsa Enterprises, Inc. 1995

Box 3

VHS, "Tuskegee Airman - OBAP - Award Banquet" 2000

Box 3

VHS, "Tuskegee Airmen: American Heroes!" 1998

Box 3

VHS, "Tuskegee Airmen Story" undated

Series 3. Military service 1940-2006, undated

Series Scope and Contents

This series contains material regarding Arthur C. Harmon's service in the United States military. Pilot supplies, uniform accessories, and other material are included.

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically by format type.

Box 6

Ashtray, "Yokota Air Base, Japan" undated

Box 4, Folder 4

Badges, "Arthur C. Harmon, Major USAF" (quantity, 9) undated

Box 4, Folder 4

Badges, United States Air Force Major insignia (quantity, 2) undated

Box 4, Folder 9

Bible, presented to those that serve in the United States armed forces with a foreword by Franklin D. Roosevelt (metal cover) undated.

Box 1, Folder 6

Book, "Useful Tables from the American Practical Navigator" by the United States Hydrographic Office; notation on inside front cover by Arthur C. Harmon 1940

Box 4, Folder 2

Buttons, United States Air Force enlisted man dress uniform (quantity, 8) undated

Box 5

Campaign ribbons, United States Air Force (quantity, 32) undated

Box 1, Folder 7

Certificate, to Arthur C. Harmon from the United States Air Force in recognition of his military service 1991

Box 5

Certificate, to Arthur C. Harmon from the United States Air Force in recognition of his retirement 1968

Box 2, Folder 6

Certificate, to Arthur C. Harmon from the United States Congress in recognition of his military service as a Tuskegee Airmen 1998 October 16

Box 4, Folder 3

Chain including dog tags for Arthur C. Harmon, a St. Christopher medal, and a US Army pocket can opener commonly referred to as a P-38 can opener circa 1939-1945

Box 2, Folder 7

Correspondence, from Arthur C. Harmon to his mother (on Tuskegee Army Air Field stationary) 1944 March 28

Box 1, Folder 8

DVD, "Lt. Col. Arthur Harmon Interview" 2006

Box 6

Fishing kit, includes instructions for Emergency Sustenance Vest Type C-1 undated

Box 6

Flying goggles, includes yellow lens undated

Box 6

Flying goggles, lens not included undated

Box 6

Flying goggles, US Army Air Forces Type B-8 including box, lenses, and instruction booklet circa 1939-1945

Box 7

Flying helmet, US Army Air Forces Type AN-H-15 (summer) circa 1939-1945

Box 7

Jacket, United States Air Force CWU-9/P undated

Box 6

Lighter, "Yokota 3 Club" 1956

Box 2, Folder 3

Logbook, pilot's log for Arthur C. Harmon 1944

Box 1, Folder 9

Manual, "United States Air Force Flight Crew Check Lists" 1965 June 15

Box 1, Folder 9

Manual, "United States Air Force Flight Crew Check Lists" 1961 November 1

Box 2, Folder 1

Manual, "United States Air Force Flight Crew Check Lists" 1961 November 9

Box 2, Folder 1

Manual, operating instructions for the Piper Twin Comanche PA 30 (incomplete, photocopy) 1993

Box 2, Folder 2

Personnel record, pilot individual flight record for Arthur C. Harmon 1945-1968

Box 2, Folder 3

Personnel record, pilot rating book for Arthur C. Harmon from the United States Department of Commerce 1944

Box 2, Folder 4

Photograph, "Nick, Jones, Harmon, and Thompson" standing in front of an airplane; inscription on back and autographed by all four men on front 1945

Box 2, Folder 4

Photograph, twelve Tuskegee Airmen in front of a bomber plane undated

Box 2, Folder 4

Photographic prints, "Nick, Jones, Harmon, and Thompson" standing in front of an airplane (quantity, 4) 1945

Box 2, Folder 4

Photographic prints, twelve Tuskegee Airmen in front of a bomber plane (quantity, 4) undated

Box 4, Folder 5

Pins, "Harmon" and "Harmon, A.C." in varying sizes and colors (quantity, 4) undated

Box 4, Folder 7

Pins, United States Air Force Command Pilot insignia (quantity, 5) undated

Box 4, Folder 8

Pins, United States Air Force Major insignia (quantity, 7) undated

Box 4, Folder 7

Pins, United States Air Force Pilot Wing insignia (quantity, 3) undated

Box 6

Pilot supplies, box issued by the United States Army Air Force containing one pair of Type B-8 flying goggles, two military issued pouches of lenses, and instruction booklet undated

Box 4, Folder 6

Pins, "U.S." (quantity, 3) undated

Box 6

Signal mirror, issued by the United States military, includes instructions for use printed on the back undated

Box 6

Stein, engraved with "Maj. Art Harmon; 4500 ABW, LAFB, VA.; T-390 PS; 1966-1968" 1966-1968

Box 6

Survival kit ,includes box and instructions undated

Box 7

Vest, US Army Air Forces Emergency Sustenance Type C-1 circa 1939-1945

Series 4. Personal history 1995-2006, undated

Series Scope and Contents

This series contains material regarding Arthur C. Harmon's non-military life. Correspondence, photographic prints, and other material pertaining to Harmon's personal and professional life outside of the United States military are included.

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically by format type.

Box 2, Folder 6

Certificate, to Arthur C. Harmon from Sons in Retirement, Inc. recognizing his service to the organization 2007 May 6

Box 5

Certificate, to Arthur C. Harmon from the U.S. Small Business Administration 1998

Box 2, Folder 5

Correspondence, between Brian Henne and Arthur C. Harmon regarding Henne's school project on the Tuskegee Airmen (includes final school project) 1998

Box 2, Folder 5

Correspondence, electronic mail printout from Arthur C. Harmon to Kenneth R. Moore regarding fellow Tuskegee Airmen 1997

Box 2, Folder 5

Correspondence, from Ann Glynn to Arthur C. Harmon regarding the 6th Brigade Headquarters Black History Month Ethnic Observance 1996

Box 2, Folder 5

Correspondence, from Arthur C. Harmon to Sydney J. Wolfe regarding the Brigadier General Noel F. Parrish Award 1995

Box 2, Folder 5

Correspondence, from Ginny Trumbull to Arthur C. Harmon regarding Sea Ranch Flying Society 1997 September 29

Box 2, Folder 5

Correspondence, from Joseph Gargiulo to Arthur C. Harmon regarding the Greater North Marin Breakfast Club 1997 March 7

Box 2, Folder 5

Correspondence, from Linda Garcia to a Tuskegee Airman regarding Thomas Garcia's attendance at the Second Annual Summer Youth Aviation Academy (photocopy) undated

Box 2, Folder 5

Invitation, Colonel James B. Morehead's 90th Birthday BBQ 2006

Box 2, Folder 5

Photographic print, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Isabelle, Sr. undated

Box 2, Folder 5

Photograph, Tuskegee Airmen exhibit that includes correspondence from Len (quantity, 4) 1999

Box 2, Folder 5

Photographic print, two unidentified men at a table in a restaurant undated

Box 2, Folder 5

Photographic print, two unidentified men wearing suits undated

Box 2, Folder 5

Poem, "You'll Never Walk Alone" undated

Box 6

Stein, from Heidelberg, Germany undated

Series 5. Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. 1988-2003, undated

Series Scope and Contents

This series contains material regarding Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., including national and regional chapter information. Books, videotapes, and other material regarding Arthur C. Harmon's involvement in this organization are included.

Series Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically by format type.

Box 2, Folder 6

Book, "The Tuskegee Airmen Story (A speech guide)" by the East Coast Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. 1988

Box 2, Folder 6

Book, "The Tuskegee Airmen Story (A speech guide)" printed with permission of the East Coast Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. undated

Box 2, Folder 6

Book, "The Tuskegee Experiment and Tuskegee Airmen, 1939-1949" by Le Roy F. Gillead; inscription to Irene on back of table of contents dated June 25, 2003 1994

Box 2, Folder 6

Book, "The Tuskegee Experiment and Tuskegee Airmen, 1939-1949" by Le Roy F. Gillead; inscription to Irene on back of title page dated February 19, 1998 1994

Box 2, Folder 6

Certificate, to Arthur C. Harmon from Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. recognizing his membership in the organization undated

Box 2, Folder 6

Certificate, to Irene and Arthur C. Harmon from The Red Tail Project, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., and the Confederate Air Force 1995

Box 2, Folder 6

Correspondence, from Le Roy F. Gillead to United States President Bill Clinton regarding the use of the term "Original" Tuskegee Airmen 1999

Box 2, Folder 6

Correspondence, from Sydney J. Wolfe to all members of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. regarding the Celebrate History Convention 1998 February 8

Box 2, Folder 6

Correspondence, from Sydney J. Wolfe to Carol Emory regarding a presentation by the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. 1998 January 4

Box 2, Folder 6

Correspondence, from Sydney J. Wolfe to George Irvin regarding a presentation by the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. 1998 February 23

Box 2, Folder 6

Correspondence, from Sydney J. Wolfe to Reverend Keva McNeill regarding a donation made to Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. 2000

Box 2, Folder 6

Correspondence, from Sydney J. Wolfe to Stanley Hook regarding a presentation by the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. 1998 February 8

Box 2, Folder 6

Flier, regarding Roger C. "Bill" Terry's bid for President of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. undated

Box 2, Folder 6

Flier, regarding the Summer Flight Academy sponsored by the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. undated

Box 8

Jacket, navy colored windbreaker with an embroidered Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. logo on the left-hand chest undated

Box 2, Folder 6

Photograph, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. San Francisco Bay Area Chapter members at Salinas Airfield viewing an original Moton Field Stearman Trainer (quantity, 4) 1995

Box 2, Folder 6

Program, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. 22nd National Convention Celebrity Golf Tournament 1993 August 10

Box 3

VHS, "San Antonio Chapter Tuskegee Airmen Inc. 12th Annual Education Banquet" 2003

Box 3

VHS, "Tuskegee Airmen Convention 1994" 1994

Box 3

VHS, "Tuskegee Airmen History Roll-in/'Hero' Tuskegee Airmen music video" undated

Box 3

VHS, "Tuskegee Airmen Inc. Summer Flight Academy" (quantity, 2) 1994