William R. Melton papers
Collection Scope and Contents
The William R. Melton papers are contained within the Tuskegee Airmen Archive. This archive consists of materials related to those individuals who served at Tuskegee Army Air Field, and its predecessors, as well as materials pertaining to Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., a non-profit organization.
The William R. Melton papers are comprised of both print and visual materials including newspaper clippings, photographs, lithographs, books, documents, and correspondence. The materials within this collection primarily relate to the military service and history of the Tuskegee Airmen. Additional items regarding Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Melton's personal life, and aviation history are also included.
Photographs in this collection have been distributed into the appropriate Series. All photographic material can be found in Boxes 3-5.
A portion of this collection remains unprocessed. Please contact Special Collections & Archives for additional information regarding this material.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1920-2004, undated
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1944-1990
Creator
- Melton, William Robert (Person)
Languages
The collection is predominantly in English; select materials in French.
Access
This collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the University of California, Riverside Libraries, Special Collections & University Archives. 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.
Biographical Note
William R. Melton was born on October 24, 1920. During World War II he enlisted as a pilot in what was then the Army Air Corps. On July 28, 1943 Melton graduated at Tuskegee Army Air Field as a Second Lieutenant of class SE-43-G. He was a member of the original 332nd Fighter Group, serving with the 302nd Fighter Squadron. As a fighter pilot, Melton flew more than one hundred missions in North Africa and Europe. He also became part of the initial group to volunteer for bomber training with the 477th Bombardment Group. Melton later served as a flight instructor and remained active with the Tuskegee Airmen throughout his life, serving as a public relations officer and historian for Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. William R. Melton died on September 2, 1999 at the age of 78.
Extent
24.15 Linear Feet (20 boxes, 2 flat file folders)
Abstract
The William R. Melton papers are contained within the Tuskegee Airmen Archive. This archive consists of materials related to those individuals who served at Tuskegee Army Air Field, and its predecessors, as well as materials pertaining to Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., a non-profit organization.
The William R. Melton papers are comprised of both print and visual materials including newspaper clippings, photographs, lithographs, books, documents, and correspondence. The materials within this collection primarily relate to the military service and history of the Tuskegee Airmen. Additional items regarding Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Melton's personal life, and aviation history are also included.
Collection Arrangement
This collection is organized into five series as follows:
- Series 1. African American history, 1986
- Series 2. Aviation history, 1978-1989
- Series 3. Military service and history, 1942-2004, undated
- Series 4. Personal history, circa 1920-1984, undated
- Series 5. Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., 1974-1997, undated
Acquisition Information
The William R. Melton papers were acquired as a gift in 2006. Additional material received in 2009.
Processing History
Processed by Gwido Zlatkes, Special Collections Reference Librarian, 2007. Revised by Eric Milenkiewicz, Manuscripts Curator, 2012.
Subject
- Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (Organization)
- United States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Squadron, 99th (Organization)
- United States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Group, 332nd (Organization)
- Title
- William R. Melton papers
- Status
- Processed
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Gwido Zlatkes, Special Collections Reference Librarian.
- Date
- 2007
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
- Box: 6 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 7 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 8 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 9 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 10 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 11 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 12 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 13 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 14 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 15 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 16 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 17 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 18 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 19 (Mixed Materials)
- Box: 20 (Mixed Materials)
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscript Collections Repository
University of California
Rivera Library
P.O. Box 5900
Riverside 92517-5900 USA
specialcollections@ucr.edu