Scope and Content Note
The papers of Muir Stephen Fairchild (1894-1950), army and air force officer, span the years 1939-1950, with the bulk of the material concentrated between 1948 and 1950. The collection consists of letters received, carbons of letters sent, and reports. In addition, there are reading copies and typescripts of speeches and articles by Fairchild. A few printed items complete the collection.
The papers primarily cover the period when Fairchild was vice chief of staff of the air force, 1948-1950, reflecting the administrative affairs handled by the vice chief and illustrating the chain of command by which matters came to his attention. Fairchild’s speeches and articles, as well as other papers in the collection, indicate the manner in which a vice chief may substitute for the chief of staff. Printed matter, the only material predating Fairchild's tenure as vice chief of staff, consists for the most part of material prepared by him for the Air Corps Tactical School.
Prominent correspondents include Laurence Sherman Kuter, Curtis E. LeMay, Elwood R. Quesada, and Hoyt S. Vandenberg.