Skip to main content

Archives at The Museum of Flight


Donald Hamlin World War II Collection

 Collection — Box: One
Identifier: 1991-10-02

Contents of the Collection

The Donald G. Hamlin World War II Collection is a relatively small collection and is comprised of textual materials that primarily relate to the World War II military service of Donald G. Hamlin, a pilot with the United States Army Air Forces. It also includes a small amount of post-World War II material related to Hamlin's Air Force reserve service.

World War II-era materials, dated 1943-1945, include Hamlin's medical records, his 1943-1944 pilot logbook and flight records, an April 1944 graduation announcement, military orders, and training and promotion documents. There is also a small amount of post-war materials, dated 1947-1956, which includes blank forms, administrative forms, and reserve orders and announcements. Also included is a single piece of ephemera; a small German-language booklet titled "Katholisches Feldgesangbuch," printed in 1939. According to web translation tools this translates to "catholic field hymnbook." Handwritten on the front cover is "German army prayer book."

Dates

  • Creation: 1943-1956

Creator

Language of Materials

One piece of ephemera is in German. All other materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. For more information contact us.

Conditions Governing Use

The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Biographical Note: Donald G. Hamlin

Donald Gilbert Hamlin was born in Sacramento, California on September 20, 1924 to Harold H. Hamlin and Margaret E. Hamlin. Hamlin became active duty with the United States Army Air Forces on April 15, 1944. He was part of the 1261st Army Air Forces Base Unit - North African Divison and the 1417th Army Air Forces Base Unit - European Division and held assorted roles, including Ground Training Officer, Rescue Officer, and Flying Safety Officer. On October 4, 1945 he was released from all duties and active service. On May 6, 1947, Hamlin was assigned to Active Air Reserve and sent to Hamilton Field, California for reserve training. He served as a reservist until at least 1956 but it is unknown when he left the Air Force Reserves. As of 1991, Hamlin was residing in Washington state. No further information is known.

Source:

Biography derived from collection materials.

Extent

0.25 Cubic Feet (1 half-width legal size document box)

Custodial History

The collection was donated to the Museum in 1991 by Donald G. Hamlin.

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

Separated Materials

The following items have been separated from the archival component and are kept in Objects storage:

  • Two (2) military patches
  • One (1) roll of foreign currency (taped together)

Title
Guide to the Donald G. Hamlin World War II Collection
Status
Completed Level 2
Author
J.Parent
Date
2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English
Edition statement
1st edition

Repository Details

Part of the The Museum of Flight Archives Repository

Contact:
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle Washington 98108-4097
206-764-7874


The Museum of Flight | 9404 E. Marginal Way South | Seattle WA 98108-4097 | 206-764-5874
Contact us with a research request
curator@museumofflight.org