James E. Flynn collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 07.0041

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection relates to Master Sergeant James E. Flynn who served as a technician gunner with the 12th Bombardment Group (Medium), 83rd Bombardment Squadron, in North Africa, Italy, and Burma, as well as a photo gunner with the 3rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron on Guam during World War II. The collection consists of paper memorabilia and material objects from his service from 1942-1945. The medals included a Purple Heart and Air Medal. Flynn served as a member of the prewar U.S. Army and went on to serve in the Korean conflict. His collection consists of documents from his military service, newspaper articles, photographs, silk and cloth maps, medals, and patches. Images of the North African Campaign include German Afrika Korps and allied equipment, as well as desert scenes.

Dates

Created: 1941-1957
Other: Majority of material found in 1941-1945
Other: Date acquired: 04/20/2007

Creator

Flynn, James E. (Person)

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 or Historical Information

James E. Flynn was born in Butte, Montana on April 22, 1911, and returned there after thirty years of service in the U.S. Air Force, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant. He passed away on March 18, 1996 and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Butte, Montana. Flynn enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp in 1934 as a ground crewman. During World War II, he served with the 12th Bombardment Group, 83rd Bombardment Squadron, in North African, Italy, and Burma as a flight engineer on B-25 Mitchell. Flynn was wounded during a bombing mission on July 9, 1944 and received a Purple Heart medal. In April 1945, Flynn was assigned to the 3rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron based on the island of Guam as a photo gunner on B-29 Superfortresses . After World War II, Flynn went on to serve in the Korean conflict.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (1 OS box, 19"x15")

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

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

Source of Acquisition

David Carr (Nephew of James E. Flynn)

Method of Acquisition

Donated

Subjects

Aerial reconnaissance--United States Subject Source: Local sources
Afrika Korps Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
B-25 (Bomber) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
B-29 (Bomber) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Butte (Mont.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Korean War, 1950-1953 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Purple Heart Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
United States. Army Air Forces. Bomb Group, 83rd
World War, 1939-1945--Burma Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Africa, North Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Burma Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Area Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Japan Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings