Alan May papers, 1944
Collection description
Summary
- Extent:
- 1 folders
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
- May, Alan, papers. Institute on World War II and the Human Experience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_01_0130.
Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access:
This collection is open to all researchers.
- Terms Of Use:
Permission to publish, exhibit, or broadcast works from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience must be requested and granted in writing by the director of the Institute. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Institute on World War II as the owner of the physical items and the copyright holder. Possession of a copy of an item does not constitute permission to publish, exhibit, or broadcast it. The Institute on World War II and the Human Experience reserves the right to refuse permission to individuals and publishers who have not complied with its policies. Permission fees must be paid before images are provided. Please contact the director of the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience for current publication and duplication rates.
Background
- Scope and Content:
Alan May served as a gunner on a B-24 Bomber with the 451st Bomb Group during World War II in Italy and was shot down during a mission to Ploesti, Romania, and became a POW. May was awarded the Purple Heart, Air Medals, 2 Presidential Unit Citations, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Included in this collection is a footnoted manuscript diary of missions.
- Biographical / Historical:
Staff Sgt. Alan May (age 22) was an armorer gunner in the 15th Air Force Flying B-24's in the 451st Bomber Group out of Gioia Del Colle on the East coast of southern Italy. May flew bombing raids over Italy, Germany, and Austria and was shot down and captured on his 11th mission over Romania. May was discharged on September 15, 1945, at Mitchell Field in Hempstead, NY as Technical Sergeant. May's basic training preceded writing of his diary. He was inducted at Camp Dix, NJ. He received pre-flight training, flight training, and gunnery school at Maxwell Field, AL, Harlingen TX, and Fairmont, NE. May served in North Africa and Italy.
- Acquisition information:
Alan May
donation
Indexed Terms
- Subjects:
- United States--Army Air Forces--Aerial operations
United States. Army Air Forces--Military life
United States. Army--History
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Western Front
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
World War, 1939-1945--United States
B-24 (Bomber)
Purple Heart
United States. Army Air Forces. Medals, badges, decorations, etc
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Africa, North
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Italy
United States. Army Air Forces. Bombardment Group (H), 451st
Germany--History--1933-1945
World War, 1939-1945--Austria
Prisoners of war
World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons
United States--Army Air Forces--Aerial operations--Personal narratives - Names:
- United States. Army Air Forces
United States. Army Air Forces. Air Force, 15th - Places:
- Ploiești (Romania)