Donald and Portia Ackerman collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 03.0177

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection relates to Donald and Portia Ackerman. Donald Ackerman served as a pilot on B-24 bombers with the 44th Bomb Squadron, 506th Bombardment Group, in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. He continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years and served during the Korean War.This collection contains an oral history transcript, artifacts, audio tapes, documents, letters, maps, pamphlets, and photographs relating to Donald and Portia Ackerman.

Dates

1941-1990
Other: Date accessioned: 2003-10-23

Creator

Ackerman, Portia, 1921-2015 (Owner, Person)
Ackerman, Donald, 1919-1991 (Owner, Person)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to all researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical / Historical

Portia Ackerman was born in Omaha, NE on May 19, 1921. Donald Ackerman was born on August 10, 1919. Portia was salutatorian of her class at Lee High School in Jacksonville in 1939. She graduated from Florida State College for Women in 1943 and was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta. Portia married Don Ackerman at the air force base chapel in Marianna, FL on November 6, 1943. She followed Donald while he was in training to fly B-24 bombers. After the War, the Ackermans lived in Japan and England raising their young children. Donald passed away on June 7, 1991. She was a past member of the Women of the Jacksonville Art Museum, a member of the Jacksonville Symphony, and was on the board of directors of the World War II Institute at Florida State University. Portia passed away on February 26, 2015.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Provenance

Donated by Portia Ackerman on 10/23/2003

Custodial History

Transferred from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to FSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives in July 2022.

Subjects

Bombers--United States--History Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Florida State College for Women--Students Subject Source: Local sources
Korean War, 1950-1953 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
United States. Army Air Forces. Bomber Command, 8th Subject Source: Local sources
World War, 1939-1945 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Japan Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Women Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings