George R. Cain collection

Collection — Container: 00.0559- Box 1

Identifier: 00.0559

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection relates to George R. Cain and his service as a communications officer in the 23rd Fighter Group, also known as the Flying Tigers, in China during World War II. The collection includes a variety of memorabilia, which spans from the beginning of George H. Cain's service in 1940 until his death in 2000. A few sources in the collection provide an overview of military service on the island of Hawaii. Others document his post-service work with his local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.

Dates

1940-2000
Other: Date accessioned: 2019-09-17

Creator

Cain, George R., 1921-2000 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to all researchers. Users may access this collection at the Claude Pepper Library.

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

George R. Cain was born on October 7, 1921 in Shell Rock, Iowa. His interest in military began at a young age. He joined the Iowa National Guard when he was 16 and trained in California to be assigned to the United States naval base in Hawaii, Pearl Harbor. He was stationed at the Schofield barracks and survived the Japanese attack on the base that pulled the United States into World War II. Cain volunteered for the United States Air Force (known then as the Army Air Corps) and trained as a pilot in 1942. He was assigned to the 23rd fighter group and flew missions primarily in China. After the war ended, George R. Cain remained in service, assisting the rest of his volunteer group to complete orders that dealt with Japanese prisoners of war. George R. Cain pursued the study of law and received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and subsequently Harvard Law School. Cain remained on the Division’s council for the Federal Bar and was a member of Experience Magazine’s editorial board. He practiced as a lawyer for the majority of his life but kept a vested interest in his military background. He was heavily involved with his local Veterans of Foreign War Post in Lake Wales, Florida and served as its commander. Cain passed away on August 1, 2000.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

The custodial history of the collection remained with George R. Cain's wife, Catherine. She collected many of the items that George R. Cain kept throughout his life and compiled them into the collection, which she donated to the institute in 2000 following Cain's death.

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

Subjects

14th Air Force Association (U.S.). Flying Tigers
Experience Magazine Subject Source: Local sources
Georgetown University Subject Source: Local sources
Harvard Law School Subject Source: Local sources
Hawaii Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Iowa. National Guard Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) Subject Source: Lcnaf
Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), Attack on, 1941 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Philippines--History--Japanese occupation, 1942-1945 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Schofield Barracks (Hawaii) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
United States. Air Force--History Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Subject Source: Lcnaf
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--China Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--China Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Philippines Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings