SKY WARRIORS:  NATIVE AMERICANS IN AVIATION,

1900-2000

PURPOSE:  An exhibit at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) of photographs, written experiences and memorabilia to recognize Native American service in the aviation fields of the Army Air Corps, Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.  This project is an extension of the 1998 USAFA exhibit, “Sky Warriors:  Native Americans in the Army Air Corps/Air Force, 1940-1997.”  While the Army Air Corps/Air Force remains the primary focus, the exhibit will include aviation personnel from all branches of the Department of Defense.  Additionally, the presence and experiences of Native American personnel during the early years of 20th century aviation is of considerable interest.  This project is not limited only to pilots, but includes all personnel whose career fields are primarily aviation oriented, i.e., avionics personnel, air traffic controllers, aircraft crew chiefs, maintenance personnel, door gunners, etc.

METHOD:  The manner of display will be determined by Professor Pamela Chadick, Dean of Faculty, Department of English (DFENG) at USAFA.

SUMMARY:  Looking for photographs, first-person experiences and memorabilia of Native American men and women serving in the aviation fields of the Department of Defense, 1900-2000.  The display will recognize Native American service during war and peace; leaving home; cultural adaptation; training; deployment to stateside and overseas bases; combat operations, and returning home.  All photographs and memorabilia, unless specifically donated for retention, will be returned.  After the exhibit has ended, all materials will be placed in the care of the Dean of Faculty Special Collections at the United States Air Force Academy.

SUPPLEMENTAL:  The display, organized by the USAFA Native American Special Observances Committee (NASOC) and the USAFA Chapter American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES), is scheduled to be on display in November 2000 (if enough submissions are received, a portion of the exhibit will be on display in November 1999).  Additionally, other display and/or publication possibilities are being considered, as 2003 is the 100th anniversary of the flight of the Wright Brothers.

SUBMISSIONS:  Please submit material to:

Department of the Air Force
HQ USAFA/DFENG
ATTN:  Professor Pamela Chadick
Director
2354 Fairchild Drive, Suite 3K27
USAF Academy, CO  80840

POINTS OF CONTACT:  Questions can be addressed to Professor Chadick, telephone (719) 333-2416 or to Mr. S.S. Hampton, Sr. (Choctaw), Chair, Native American Special Observances, and assistant OIC, USAFA AISES, (719) 333-3430/3431 (e-mail address, hamptonss.scs@usafa.af.mil).

 
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