M.H. Mitchell, Inc. 47th Fighter Squadron collection

Descriptive Summary
Title: M.H. Mitchell, Inc. 47th Fighter Squadron collection
Creator: Mitchell, David Yoakley
Creator: Mitchell, Jule Carnes, Jr.
Inclusive Dates: 1940-2005
Language(s): English
Extent: 5 Linear Feet 3 boxes, 3 oversized boxes
Collection Number: ms3399
Repository: Hargrett Library

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Collection Description

Historical Note

The 47th Fighter Squadron became active in 1940 and was designated the 47th Pursuit Squadron, one of three squadrons in the 15th Pursuit Group. The 15th Fighter Group was in turn part of the 20th Air Force based on Iwo Jima. They were the only single engine fighter group flying VLR (Very Long Range) missions off Iwo Jima, and escorted B-29s to Japan.

The 47th Pursuit Squadron participated in numerous campaigns from 1940 to 1945, flying aircraft that included P-10, P-26, P-36, P-47, and P-51. The squadron was credited with shooting down eight Japanese aircraft on 7 December 1941, and was inactivated on 15 October 1946.

The 47th was re-designated the 47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in 1952. Many changes, moves, and reactivations have occured in the ensuing decades.

Scope and Content

Collection consists of photographs, writings and printed materials documenting the activities of the 47th Fighter Squadron during World War II, as well as its reunion activites and several artifacts from Iwo Jima.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

M.H. Mitchell, Inc. 47th Fighter Squadron collection, ms3399, Hargrett Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, University of Georgia Libraries.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in Other Repositories

The audiovisual materials related to this collection are housed in the Walter J. Brown Media Archives.

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. World War II
box	folder
Request box
1	1	Photographs, 1941-2000
1	2	Photographs (copies)
oversized_box
Request oversized_box
1		Panoramas, photographs and slides
1		Japanese Good Luck flags (2)
box	folder
Request box
1	3	Mission reports- 47th Fighter Squadron, 1945
1	4	Mission reports- 15th Fighter Group, 1945
1	5	Mission reports- Air Force Operation Reports, 1945
1	6	Mission reports- copies, various
1	7	Writings- Iwo Jima Diary, by Henry C. Ryniker, 1945 February 1-September 24
1	8	Writings- book of humorous songs, by Henry G. Sanders, 1940-1945
1	9	Writings- humorous poems, by Henry G. Sanders, 1940-1945

 

2. Veterans and Reunions
box	folder
Request box
1	10	Histories, WWII (photocopies)
1	11	Clippings (mainly Georgia newspapers), 1940-1989
box	folder
Request box
2	1-2	Correspondence of Henry G. Sanders, 1977-1990
2	3	Reunion bulletins and rosters, 1970-1979
2	4	Reunions
2	5-6	Member rosters, 1982-1991
2	7	In Memory- members of the 47th who died during service
2	8	Printed materials- Sunsetter's Gazette (newsletter of the 7th Fighter Command), 1987-2005
2	9	Printed materials- newsletters including the Retrospect, the 8th AF News, the Bluenoser, Afterburner, , 1986-2002
2	10	Printed materials- articles including "Chief of the Sunsetters", "Battle of Leyte Gulf- the Greatest Air and Sea Battle", "Iwo Jima: And I was there"; "Caught on the Ground"; Chapter #3 of an unidentified war narrative.
2	11	Printed materials- magazines including Pacific Fighters, Pacific Air Combat WWII, and P-51 Mustang, 2002-2003
box	folder
Request box
5	1	Reunions - addresses, correspondence, 2002
5	2	Reunions - correspondence with David Mitchell, 2000-2005
5	3	Reunions - names, information sheets
5	4	Printed material - 20th Air Force Association Newsletter, 2000-2001
5	5	Printed material - The Spray, 2002

 

3. Artifacts - Iwo Jima
box
Request box
3		Four wood-handled toothbrushes and one plastic toothbrush, with kanji (The orange plastic toothbrush has Japanese kanji written down its length. It reads, in short, "Top quality toothbrush.")
3		Straw sandals, very thin, approximately size 8
3		Jikatabi with kanji, ankle-high, rubber-soled, approximately size 10-11
3		Various rocks, including smooth limestone and volcanic rocks, all from Iwo Jima
3		Carton of tobacco cigarrettes, stamped "Imperial Japan" and printed with national flags
3		Small carton of tobacco cigarettes, with green text and predator bird
3		Box carton of tobacco cigarettes, with small kanji
3		Military issued safety razor
3		Accompanying objects for razor: one small box containing two blades and a cloth pad for the razor blade
3		Olive green plastic case of kanji-inscribed eraser, Japanese coinage, needle and thread, and numerous pin tips
3		One unmarked red chopstick
3		Five blue pencils with kanji with paper band holding it together
3		Two bamboo objects, likely water stoppers
box
Request box
4		Golden-yellow senninbari with red thread throughout
4		White tiger belt senninbari with red threaded tiger (The white tiger belt senninbari has its 1000 red stitches on the inside in the pattern of a tiger with two large red kanji on either side. It is not apparent which side the belt was worn as both sides have wear. The item was originally white but now is dirty and stained, as to be expected.)
4		Tiny scrap of white cloth with Japanese kanji
4		3.5 foot long white flag with naval symbol and kanji
4		Ornate white, blue, and purple bandana (possibly a hachimaki)
4		Flotation bladder, air pillow
4		Pouch with two metal buttons and kanji
4		Two hachimaki with large kanji
4		Silk cloth with several images
4		Brown cloth with white kanji and colored stripes