Photographs, 1943-1960s, undated
Sub-Series
The Clarence A. Borley Naval Aviation Collection documents Borley's 36-year military career as a pilot and fighter ace in the U.S. Navy. The collection, which primarily dates from 1942 to 1968, consists of textual and audiovisual materials and is divided into two main series: Military-related materials and Personal documents.
Series I: Military-related materials is comprised mostly of textual documents and is largely focused on Borley's World War II service as a pilot with fighter squadron VF-15, also known as "Satan's Playmates," of the USS Essex. Additional materials document his continued service after World War II through his military retirement in April 1968 with some later commemorative materials. Due to the wide date range, the series has been arranged alphabetically. Types of materials include military records and orders; citations and related correspondence; a CPT pilot rating book and 5 flight logbooks; military educational materials, such as completion certificates, a test guide and related correspondence; and ephemera which includes 2 short snorters, Chinese paper currency, photocopies of clippings about Borley and VF-15, and a print-out of the VF-15 insignia.
Notable materials touch upon Borley's October 17, 1944 at-sea rescue after he had been shot down and adrift for five days. Items include a photocopy of the USS Sawfish "Report for Patrol Eight," which mentions the rescue of Borley, a Jonah's Jaybirds certificate (earned when forced to ditch at sea), and six original pen-and-ink illustrations, drawn by Frank Rodder, depicting the experience. Related materials include recordings and a related memo of interviews given by Borley on the November 25, 1944 broadcast of "Report to Nation" and "Northwest Neighbors." Both interviews discuss his experience being shot down and adrift for five days prior to rescue. There are four 78 rpm phonograph albums as well as digitized versions of the two interviews. Lastly, a July 22, 1989 letter to Borley from Bill Herring[?] discusses an upcomingSawfish reunion and includes a color photograph of a couple holding the flight suit that Borley was wearing when shot down and subsequently rescued. It was likely returned to him at the aforementioned reunion and is now a part of this collection.
The series also includes a small Photographs subseries. In total, there are 48 photographic prints and 20 negatives. The bulk of the photographs feature Borley during his service years. He is pictured in formal portraits, both alone and as a member of group shots; and in casual snapshots that depict various military settings and activities, including in aircraft and during events and ceremonies. There are several group portraits of VF-15, some of which include captions identifying members. Not all members are identified. Two group portraits are unidentified as to what squadron they are but could possibly be from others assigned to the USS Essex. Two images depicts a ship at sea, likely the Essex and one print is a four-image sequence showing the USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) transiting the Panama Canal on May 31, 1950. The bulk of the negatives do not have corresponding prints and appear to show water survival training. The prints are both black-and-white and color and range in size. Duplication occurs. Most do not have identifying captions or information.
Series II: Personal documents is quite small and is comprised mostly of personal educational materials, 1965-1978. It includes receipts, certificates, correspondence, and a 1978 Commencement program from Seattle University which includes Borley under the Master of Public Administration graduates. There is also a resume and a 1997 letter to Borley from "a young history buff."
Series I: Military-related materials is comprised mostly of textual documents and is largely focused on Borley's World War II service as a pilot with fighter squadron VF-15, also known as "Satan's Playmates," of the USS Essex. Additional materials document his continued service after World War II through his military retirement in April 1968 with some later commemorative materials. Due to the wide date range, the series has been arranged alphabetically. Types of materials include military records and orders; citations and related correspondence; a CPT pilot rating book and 5 flight logbooks; military educational materials, such as completion certificates, a test guide and related correspondence; and ephemera which includes 2 short snorters, Chinese paper currency, photocopies of clippings about Borley and VF-15, and a print-out of the VF-15 insignia.
Notable materials touch upon Borley's October 17, 1944 at-sea rescue after he had been shot down and adrift for five days. Items include a photocopy of the USS Sawfish "Report for Patrol Eight," which mentions the rescue of Borley, a Jonah's Jaybirds certificate (earned when forced to ditch at sea), and six original pen-and-ink illustrations, drawn by Frank Rodder, depicting the experience. Related materials include recordings and a related memo of interviews given by Borley on the November 25, 1944 broadcast of "Report to Nation" and "Northwest Neighbors." Both interviews discuss his experience being shot down and adrift for five days prior to rescue. There are four 78 rpm phonograph albums as well as digitized versions of the two interviews. Lastly, a July 22, 1989 letter to Borley from Bill Herring[?] discusses an upcomingSawfish reunion and includes a color photograph of a couple holding the flight suit that Borley was wearing when shot down and subsequently rescued. It was likely returned to him at the aforementioned reunion and is now a part of this collection.
The series also includes a small Photographs subseries. In total, there are 48 photographic prints and 20 negatives. The bulk of the photographs feature Borley during his service years. He is pictured in formal portraits, both alone and as a member of group shots; and in casual snapshots that depict various military settings and activities, including in aircraft and during events and ceremonies. There are several group portraits of VF-15, some of which include captions identifying members. Not all members are identified. Two group portraits are unidentified as to what squadron they are but could possibly be from others assigned to the USS Essex. Two images depicts a ship at sea, likely the Essex and one print is a four-image sequence showing the USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) transiting the Panama Canal on May 31, 1950. The bulk of the negatives do not have corresponding prints and appear to show water survival training. The prints are both black-and-white and color and range in size. Duplication occurs. Most do not have identifying captions or information.
Series II: Personal documents is quite small and is comprised mostly of personal educational materials, 1965-1978. It includes receipts, certificates, correspondence, and a 1978 Commencement program from Seattle University which includes Borley under the Master of Public Administration graduates. There is also a resume and a 1997 letter to Borley from "a young history buff."
Dates
- 1943-1960s, undated
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. The digital materials are not accessible at this time, pending digital preservation measures. For more information contact us.
Extent
From the Collection: 1.5 Cubic Feet (2 full-width legal document boxes, 4 phonograph albums, 1 oversize folder (20x24"), 1 oversize folder (11.5x34.5"))
From the Collection: .624 Gigabytes (transferred via email on January 18, 2023.)
Repository Details
Part of the The Museum of Flight Archives Repository
Contact:
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle Washington 98108-4097
206-764-7874
curator@museumofflight.org
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle Washington 98108-4097
206-764-7874
curator@museumofflight.org