15 August 1949

Garnett, Jack, fl. 1949

Printed document signed

Title: [Special orders, consolidated]

Document from Captain Jack Garnett saying that Eugene W. Williams is now a 1st Lieutenant of the USAF. There is other information about men that have been assigned to higher rankings. Eugene's name is underlined with a green pencil. The top of the document says Lt. Williams in the same pencil.

GLC09587.165

18 August 1949

Williams, Eugene W., 1925-1949

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mom and Gerry

Letter from Eugene Williams to Cordelia and Geraldine saying he almost made it to Africa from Germany but it was too cloudy to continue flying. He tells them to only write to the location he gives them. He writes about talking to a salesman about purchasing an endowment policy in case of his death. He says he will get different insurance soon. He writes that he includes $25 for Cordelia's birthday (not enclosed) and apologizes for being unable to send a card or present. He also mentions some has been playing basketball, watching movies, and recently got a haircut. On the last page of the…

GLC09587.166

21 August 1949

Williams, Eugene W., 1925-1949

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Cordelia Williams

Letter from Eugene Williams to Cordelia and Geraldine Williams is one long sheet folded into thirds made into an envelope. He writes that he had to fly from Germany over Mediterranean sea get to Tunisia about a mission he was on. On the front page in different color ink from the letter says underlined "send this back." The same ink was used to write on the last page "this is his name in German." He writes "I was thinking that I am very close to the lands in which Jesus walked and it really gives one something to think about." He also writes "I have a little package of 'memories' from my trip…

GLC09587.167

28 August 1949

Williams, Eugene W., 1925-1949

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Williams family

Letter from Eugene Williams to his family. It is a long piece of paper folded into thirds and then made into an envelope. He writes that he will soon be flying back to Neubiberg, Germany and will stop in Rome on the way. He says that when he gets there he will have to go on some missions. He may go to Bordeaux, France and also says that he recently wrote to James and Harold and has some other family members to write to. He mentions that children followed him around begging in Tunisia.

GLC09587.168

2 September 1949

Williams, Eugene W., 1925-1949

Postcard

Title: to Cordelia Williams

Postcard from Eugene Williams to Cordelia Williams saying he has not heard from her in a while. He says he stopped over in Rome while flying from Tripoli, Tunisia to Neubiberg, Germany. He says to say hello to everyone back home. The front of the postcard has a black and white photograph of Rome and a penned in arrow pointing to the hotel he was staying in.

GLC09587.169

4 September 1949

Williams, Eugene W., 1925-1949

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mom and Gerry

Letter from Eugene Williams to his mother, Cordelia and sister, Geraldine. The top of the letter in pencil says "that was ok about the minature license plates take the money from this months returns." He says that he got their letters and talks about how he sent letters to the family. He writes "there just ain't no holidays" because they always have to be ready for action. Also, he says that while flying to Rome his engine started "to act up" and so he couldn't take off. He also talks about the hotel he stayed at, most likely in Rome, and how much he liked it. On the last page he writes in a…

GLC09587.170

14 September 1949

United States. Armed Forces

Document signed

Title: [Eugene W. Williams' Death Certificate]

Document from the United States Armed Forces certifying that Eugene W. Williams died serving his country on September 14, 1949. It says "this certificate is awarded as a testimonial of Honest and Faithful Service." It is signed by the secretary of the Air Force.

GLC09587.171

1939

State Board of Education (Virginia)

Document signed

Title: Commonwealth of Virginia, state board of education

Certificate from the State Board of Education and Health certifying that Eugene Williams "attained the five point standard" in physical education from Lucy Addision High School. It is signed by the division superintendent, state superintendent of public instruction, and the state health commissioner. There is also a gold seal, which says indicates the high five standard.

GLC09587.172

15 September 1949

Van Etten, Chester L., fl. 1949

Printed letter signed

Title: Dear Mrs. Williams

A condolence letter to Cordelia Williams from Major Chester L. Van Etten of the United States Air Force, regarding the death of Eugene Williams.

GLC09587.173

28 September 1949

Kingen, Winfred L., fl. 1949

Printed letter signed

Title: Dear Mrs. Williams

A condolence letter to Cordelia Williams from Winfred L. Kingen, Chapain of the United States Air Force, regarding the death of Eugene Williams. Written at Langley Air Force Base.

GLC09587.174

30 September 1949

Chennault, John S., fl. 1949

Printed letter signed

Title: Dear Mrs. Williams

A condolence letter to Cordelia Williams from John S. Chennault, Colonel of the United States Air Force, regarding the death of Eugene Williams.

GLC09587.175

15 October 1949

Printed document

Title: [Eugene Williams' eulogy]

Eugene Williams' eulogy. It is followed by a copy of "To Our Fallen Flyers" by J. Farley Ragland.

GLC09587.178

1942-1949

Williams, Eugene W., 1925-1949

Printed document signed

Title: Army of the United States Certificate

Eugene Williams' instrument pilot certificate, expiring on 21 May 1950. It is signed by Major E.C. Gleed and 1st Lieutenant H.H. Brown.

GLC09587.179

1942-1949

Loew's & U.A. Ohio Theatre

Printed document

Title: Loew's & U.A. Ohio Theatre Pass

A signed pass for one person to Loew's & U.A. Ohio Theatre in Columbus, Ohio. On the back, Eugene has written, "I got this pass for flying a low altitude air demonstration over Columbus, Ohio when the picture 'Fighter Squadron' was showing at this theatre."

GLC09587.180

1942-1949

Williams, Eugene W., 1925-1949

Note

Title: The Air Force Clock

A cheat sheet for understanding the Air Force clock. On the front are A.M. times, along with a brief description: "say time as 0700 ZERO SEVEN HUNDRED or 1000 TEN HUNDRED. No dots are used." On the back are the P.M. times and similar instructions.

GLC09587.181

1942-1949

United States. Army Air Forces

Printed document

Title: Physical Record Card

Eugene Williams' physical record card with four physicals at Tuskegee noted. In the remarks section, there are two Philadelphia addresses listed.

GLC09587.182

23 May 1944

Williams, Eugene W., 1925-1949

Postcard

Title: Dear Mom + G

A postcard sent to Cordelia and "G," [most likely Geradine Williams] from Eugene Williams, stationed at Keesler Field in Mississippi. He says that nothing much is going on and asks about home. The front side is artwork "Night Bombers" by Sgt. Kenneth Gordon.

GLC09587.183

1942-1949

Printed document

Title: To Our Fallen Flyers

A copy of the poem "To Our Fallen Flyers" by J. Farley Ragland.

GLC09587.184

1942-1949

Army Air Force

Printed document signed

Title: AAF Officers' Qualification Record

Eugene Williams' qualification record. It lists all basic information about him and his training in the Air Force. It includes his posts and descriptions of duties, as well as hobbies, sports, and awards. It is signed by Assistant Adjutant Captain Lewis C. Smith.

GLC09587.185

January 15, 1943

Hampton Institute

Printed document signed

Title: [R.O.T.C. Appointment Certificate]

Eugene Williams' certificate of appointment to Cadet Second Lieutenant in the R.O.T.C. Battalion at Hampton Institute.

GLC09587.186

circa 1945

Newspaper clipping

Title: Officer Sees Brother Get Wings

A newspaper clipping with a picture of James T. Williams, Geraldine Williams, Eugene W. Williams, and Cordelia Williams. The caption is about Eugene Williams recieving his wings and commission from the Tuskegee Army Air Field.

GLC09587.187

7 August 1948

The Richmond Afro-American (Richmond, Va.), 1941-1996

Newspaper clipping

Title: 332nd Fighter Pilots in Exposition at Idlewild Airport

The first page of the clipping is a photograph of pilots of the 332nd Fighter Wing standing in front of a plane. The photo includes 1st Lt Weldon K. Graves, Maj. William A. Campbell, 1st Lt. Eugene Williams, Sgt. Calvin C. Hobbs, with Lt. Spann Watson exiting the plane. The article mentions an expedition of the squadron at Idlewild Airport but is mostly dedicated to the subject of integration in the Armed Forces, especially the Air Force. It notes that very few men were currently being trained as pilots and that all were being assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group.

GLC09587.188

circa September 1949

Newspaper clipping

Title: Lieutenant Killed in Plane Crash

Article about the death of Roanoke resident Eugene W. Williams in a plane crash in Germany while serving in the Air Force, having recently been transferred to an integrated division. Details where and when Eugene Williams served in the Air Force and mentions that his brother "Leroy" Williams was killed in 1943 while serving in the Air Force.

GLC09587.189

circa September 1949

Newspaper clipping

Title: Roanoke Pilot Struck Steeple in Fatal Crash

Article about the death of Eugene Williams in a plane crash while serving in the Air Force in Germany.

GLC09587.190

circa September 1949

Newspaper clipping

Title: Plane Accident in Europe Kills Roanoke Pilot

Article about the death of First Lt. Eugene W. Williams in a plane crash while serving in the Air Force in Germany. Notes that he trained at the Tuskegee "Air Base" and Lockburn Air Base. Mentions that his brother "Leroy" Williams was also killed while serving in the Air Force in 1943. Lists the surviving family members. Same article as appears in GLC09587.192.

GLC09587.191