Next up in our spotlight on this spring's new collections are three collections related to military, war, and veterans history. Particular highlights include the manuscript military commanders' reports and memos, sent between operating generals in the Pacific Theater. These manuscripts are full of fascinating details about operations and missions in that area. Also interesting are the materials from Dennis Conforth's collection relating to his experiences as a Vietnam veteran returning to the United States after duty, and coping with public backlash against the war.Kramer J. Rohfleisch Papers, 1935-1945 (MS-0274) Kramer Rohfleisch studied at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Chicago. After serving in Intelligence Operations during World War II, he wrote several histories of the Army Air Forces in the War, concentrating on operations in the South Pacific. He taught history at San Diego State College from 1947 to 1974. This collection consists of research materials used by Kramer Rohfleisch in his work on the history of the Army Air Forces in World War II. The collection includes articles, pamphlets, clippings, training and field handbooks and manuals, ephemera, miscellaneous materials, and declassified commanders' reports, memos, and letters. Also included are Rohfleisch's personal training notes and curriculum from the Army Officer Candidate School.
Letain Thom Kittredge Papers¸1919-1981 (MS-0139) A naval aviation officer during World War I, Kittredge was assigned to San Diego in 1917 as a flight instructor at North Island. Resigning his commission in 1922, he joined the staff of the San Diego High School and served as a wood shop instructor until his retirement in 1948. This small collection consists of photocopies of published materials relating to U. S. Naval aviation in World War I, especially around San Diego. There is also a photocopy of an unpublished manuscript written by Kittredge about his backpacking adventures in the High Sierras with burros, and his obituary.
Denis Conforth "Adam's Apple" Collection, 1976-2009 (MS-0429) Born in 1947, Denis Conforth grew up in Chula Vista, California. He began taking classes at Southwestern College in 1966. In 1967, Conforth enlisted in the military. He was initially stationed at Fort Ord, California, but in June of 1968 he was deployed to Vietnam. After returning from Vietnam, Conforth once again attended Southwestern College. At age 26, he met Appley Adams, a local prostitute. His relationship with Adams is prominently featured in his autobiographical work, "Adam's Apple," which he began writing in the early 1980's. The Denis Conforth "Adam's Apple" Collection documents Conforth's life with a major focus on Vietnam, Chula Vista, baseball, his relationship with Appley Adams, alcoholism, addiction, and mental illness. The collection includes all 52 chapters of "Adam's Apple I" and four volumes of "Adam's Apple II," which make up Conforth's autobiography.
Image is taken from a pack of playing cards designed to train aircraft spotters in World War II. Kramer J. Rohfleisch Papers, Box 1, Folder 21.)
