Ben T. Banks, Jr. papers, 1942-2001, bulk 1942-1945

Summary

Creator:
Banks, Benjamin T., 1921-
Date:
1942-2001, bulk 1942-1945
Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet 3 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Ben T. Banks, Jr. papers, ms3748, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Libraries, the University of Georgia Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection focuses entirely on Ben T. Banks, Jr.'s experiences in World War II. These include letters to his family, particularly his sister Lucy. Also included is Banks' bombing mission record, which he kept in a notebook, a number of photographs of Banks and his bombing crew during the war, and several war records, including an official commendation for his service during the Battle of the Bulge, as well as an interview with him on DVD, and Banks' flight and bombardier training materials.

Biographical / historical:

Ben T. Banks, Jr. (b. 1921) and his family were native to Monroe in Forsyth County, Georgia. He graduated from Goizueta Business School at Emory in 1942. In the fall of 1942, he joined the war effort and was trained as a navigator and bombardier. From 1944 to 1945, Banks flew over Germany on bombing missions, of which he took meticulous record. During the war, he wrote his family in Georgia frequently, especially his young sisters, Lucy and Mary. Banks married in 1949. He had a daughter in 1954 named Marigene. The family eventually moved to Covington, Georgia.

For much of his service, he remained with the same pilot, John Lippincott, but after the war ended, the two never saw each other again. In 2001, his daughter Marigene found Lippincott and reunited the two.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Marigene Banks, daughter of Ben T. Banks, Jr., in July 2012.

Access and use restrictions

Preferred citation:

Ben T. Banks, Jr. papers, ms3748, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Libraries, the University of Georgia Library.