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 Summary

This collection consists of a scrapbook detailing Ward Hitt's Korean War service

 Biographical / Historical

Ward Hitt, Jr. was a North American F-86 Sabre fighter pilot during the Korean War, 1950-1951. Hitt entered Air Force cadet training in 1948 and graduated from Williams Field in February 1949. He received his promotion to first lieutenant after he completed his radar training later in October 1949. Hitt was then stationed at Johnson Air Force Base (AFB), Japan, followed by Kimpo Field, Seoul Korea, where he saw General MacArthur visit. Hitt was on the first jet fighter mission, on December 17, 1950, as a member of the F-86 Sabre-equipped 4th Fighter Interceptor Group which destroyed eight MiG MiG-15 Fagot jets. Hitt was then ordered to Forward Aircraft Controller Duty, and was assigned to the 5th Republic of Korea (ROK) Corps, 36 Regiment February 3 through 26, 1951 in central Korea. Hitt returned to Japan in June of 1951 to attend the Combat Orientation School at Johnson AFB until September 1951. For his service during the Korean War, Hitt received the Air Medal.

 Identifier

NASM.2012.0044

Creator

Hitt, Ward Jr.

Date

bulk 1950-1951

Provenance

Ellen L. Whitman, Gift, 2012, NASM.2012.0044

Extent

0.23 Cubic feet (1 flat box)

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a 16 by 11 inch white scrapbook detailing Ward Hitt's Korean War service. The scrapbook contains newspaper articles, military orders, detailed correspondence, and photographs, both snapshots and official photography, showing aircraft (North America F-86 Sabres), base life and Air Force pilots and personnel.

Arrangement note

Just one item.

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests

Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Citation

Ward Hitt Jr. Korean War Scrapbook, NASM.2012.0044, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Aeronautics

Aeronautics, Military

Korean War, 1950-1953

North American F-86 Sabre Family

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Scrapbooks

Photographic prints

Correspondence