Scope and Content Note
The papers of Hoyt S. Vandenberg (1899-1954) span the years 1942-1954, with the bulk of the material falling between the years 1948 and 1953, the period when Vandenberg was chief of staff of the United States Air Force. The papers consist of correspondence, reports, and memoranda, supplemented by speeches and articles, diaries, and appointment books, mail logs, personnel files, accounts, and printed matter. The collection is organized into ten series: Diaries and Appointments , General Correspondence , Subject File , Security File , Speeches and Articles , Miscellany , Classified , Top Secret , Restricted Data: Secret , and North Atlantic Treaty Organization: Top Secret .
During Vandenberg's first few years as chief of staff, the air force underwent rapid growth and development. Various commands were established, and the air force was statutorily expanded to seventy groups during this period. Vandenberg's role in this development is well documented throughout the collection, particularly in the Subject File on topics dealing with the budget, congressional hearings, commands, secretary of the air force, and correspondence with Carl Vinson.
In 1951, the air force first entered combat as an autonomous branch of the armed forces. The difficulties it encountered in the Korean War, political as well as military, are documented in the Security File . One of the most pressing problems was conducting a war under an economy-oriented administration. This difficulty is documented in subject files relating to the budget and congressional hearings as well as on the security file.
Correspondents in addition to Vinson include Lindley Beckworth, Omar Nelson Bradley, Overton Brooks, J. Lawton Collins, Clyde Roark Hoey, Olin D. Johnston, John F. Kennedy, Scott Wike Lucas, George E. Stratemeyer, and Harry S. Truman.