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  Manuscript Division  Muir Stephen Fairchild Papers

Muir Stephen Fairchild Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS20198

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.

Dates

  • Creation: 1937-1950
  • Creation: Majority of material found within ( 1948-1950)

Language of Materials

Collection material in English

Access and Restrictions

The papers of Muir Stephen Fairchild are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.

Security Classified Documents

Government regulations control the use of security classified items in this collection. Manuscript Division staff can furnish information concerning access to and use of classified material.

Copyright Status

The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Muir Stephen Fairchild is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).

Biographical Note

Biographical Note

1894, Sept. 2
Born, Bellingham, Wash.
1918 - 1948
Commissioned second lieutenant, Aviation Section, Army Air Corps, advanced through the grades to general
1924
Married Florence A. Rossiter
1928 - 1929
Student, Air Corps Engineering School
1934 - 1935
Student, Air Corps Tactical School
1935 - 1936
Student, Army Industrial College
1936 - 1937
Student, Army War College
1938 - 1940
Instructor, Air Corps Tactical School
1942 - 1946
Member, Joint Strategic Survey Committee, Joint Chiefs of Staff
1945
Military adviser to the United States delegation to United Nations Conference, San Francisco, Calif.
1946
Commanding general, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1948 - 1950
Vice chief of staff, United States Air Force
1950, Mar. 17
Died, Washington, D.C.

Extent

1,400 items
4 containers
1 classified
1.6 linear feet

Abstract

Army and air force officer. Correspondence, reports, speeches, and articles relating to Fairchild's service as air force vice chief of staff. Includes printed matter prepared by Fairchild for the Air Corps Tactical School.

Arrangement of the Papers

This collection is arranged alphabetically by type of material.

Provenance

The papers of Muir Stephen Fairchild, army and air force officer, were given to the Library of Congress in 1957 by his wife, Florence Rossiter Fairchild.

Related Material

Related collections in the Manuscript Division include the papers of Hoyt S. Vandenberg, who was chief of staff of the air force from 1948 to 1953.

Title
Muir Stephen Fairchild Papers
Subtitle
A Finding Aid to the Collection in the Library of Congress
Author
Prepared by Charles F. CooneyRevised and expanded by Ahmed-Jahmal Johnson and Patrick Kerwin
Date
2002
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Part of the Manuscript Division Repository

Contact:
Manuscript Reading Room
101 Independence Ave, SE
James Madison Building, LM 101
Washington, DC 20540-4683
(202) 707-5387