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Auburn W. Herron Jr. Papers

 Collection
Identifier: CSWS-0284

  • Staff Only

This collection documents Auburn W. Herron Jr.'s military service during World War II and the Korean Conflict. The collection contains a photocopy of a flight logbook, documenting August 1944 to June 1945 and kept by a crewmembers of Herron's, David McKnight. Also included is background information written by McKnight providing details of Herron's life during the war. Lastly, the collection contains a CD-ROM of photographs taken by Herron 1950 to 1956 during the Korean Conflict.

Dates

  • 1944-1956

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite, and a minimum of 2 business days are needed to retrieve these items for use. Researchers interested in consulting any of the collections are advised to contact Special Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact Special Collections.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (2 folders)

Overview

This collection documents Auburn W. Herron Jr.'s military service during World War II and the Korean Conflict. The collection contains a photocopy of a flight logbook, documenting August 1944 to June 1945 and kept by a crewmembers of Herron's, David McKnight. Also included is background information written by McKnight providing details of Herron's life during the war. Lastly, the collection contains a CD-ROM of photographs taken by Herron 1950 to 1956 during the Korean Conflict.

Biographical / Historical

Auburn Walker Herron Jr. was born in Nashville, TN on June 5, 1919. He married Barbara Snavely of Hagerstown on November 26, 1946. They had a son, Stephen, and two daughters, Janet and Robyn. Commander Herron attended Indiana University for three years before joining the U.S. Navy. He received his commission at Corpus Christi, Texas on July 13, 1942. He served in Squadron VC-55 and CVE-21. Herron survived the sinking of the U.S.S. Black Island (CVE-21) off the coast of Casablanca in May 1945. He attended postgraduate school in Annapolis, Maryland for two years after the war. He was killed at the age of 37 during a routine flight in Sanford, Florida on July 3, 1956.

David McKnight kept the flight logbook from August 1944 to June 1945. McKnight was Herron’s radio/radar crewman during this time. He served in Squadron VC-55 and CVE 21. He was with Herron on Block Island when it sunk on May 29, 1944. McKnight became Herron’s radio/radar crewman after they were back in the United States.

Arrangement

This collection is in two folders.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated through the University of Tennessee's Center for the Study of War and Society.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480