Personal books of Delford M. Smith, memorabilia dedicated to his son Michael, and architectural drawings for the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville.
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Museum Blueprints
The collection includes architectural drawings for the Evergreen museum campus in McMinnville. The first three shown below are for the first building, the Evergreen Aviation Museum. It opened on June 6, 2001, as the new home of the Spruce Goose, and was officially called the Captain Michael King Smith Evergreen Aviation Educational Institute.[27] The later Evergreen Space Museum is a separate building: the second exhibit hall on the campus, now the Titan Pavilion of the North American Aerospace Museum.[11][12] Whether the collection also holds Space Museum drawings is not yet confirmed. Further down is a set of 2004 drawings by Scott Edwards Architecture for a large-format theater beside the aviation museum.
Exhibit “A1”: “Phase 1 / Evergreen Aviation Educational Institute / Main Floor,” a presentation plan by Waterleaf (Architecture & Interiors), marked “Not to scale” and dated May 2001 (last digit hard to read). The Spruce Goose (Hughes H-4 Hercules) is drawn at the center of the main floor. Labels include Kitchen (Cafe and Catering), Cafe (Seats 100, Display Kitchen), Admission, East Wing Entrance, Gift Shop, Grand Memorial Flag Plaza, West Wing Gallery, and the N.E., S.E., N.W., S.W. and West Wing plazas. Pen sketches are drawn over the east end, and a handwritten note on the sheet reads: “Ask DMS about mezzanine to connect library & offices.” “DMS” is Delford M. Smith (confirmed by April). Photo: April Dawn BucknerExhibit “A2”: “Phase 1 / Evergreen Aviation Educational Institute / 2nd Floor,” by Waterleaf, with the same date. The Spruce Goose again fills the center of the hall. A Boardroom and a second-floor wing along the east side are labeled Volunteer Room; Administration (Office Spaces, Meeting Rooms, Print / Video / Computer); Meeting Rooms; and Library / Archives (Curatorial Research, Print / Video / Computer, Public Reading Room). Photo: April Dawn BucknerA bound booklet, “Second Floor Addition | June 18, 2004 / Evergreen Aviation Museum | McMinnville, Oregon,” open to its floor plans (scale 1/16″ = 1′-0″). It carries the name of Scott Edwards Architecture of Portland, the seal of “The Captain Michael King Smith Educational Institute • Evergreen Aviation Museum,” and the mark “[version] A.” A handwritten transmittal slip kept with it is addressed to Evergreen, attention Mike Cowan, who worked for Del Smith (according to April), “Re: Museum 2nd Floor,” and reads: “Mike – Plans. Call to discuss. Thanks.” Photo: April Dawn Buckner
The collection holds more drawings that have not been photographed yet, including plans of Del Smith’s personal residence in Dundee, now Del Mar Villa.
Only reduced web copies are shown here. Full-resolution scans are held back until the rights are checked with the architect or the museum.
Where they came from: According to April, all of these plans were left at Del Smith’s personal residence, the house now called Del Mar Villa, where she found and has kept them. Also according to April, Del had several companies draw up plans for the museum, which may explain why these sheets carry more than one firm’s name.
What the sheets and the public record say
On the Waterleaf sheets (A1, A2)
The title blocks name the “Evergreen Aviation Educational Institute,” close to the first museum’s official name,[27] and both plans put the Spruce Goose at the center, so they appear to be a plan for that first building. The public sources found so far credit its design to Ankrom Moisan and do not mention Waterleaf. Waterleaf’s role, and whether these are an early concept or a later proposal, are not yet confirmed.
Architect (original Aviation Museum)
Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects, according to builder Hoffman Construction,[25] a 2001 trade article quoting project architect Charlie Matschek,[27] and a former Ankrom Moisan architect, who writes that the design had a series of starts and stops while funds were raised.[28]
The booklet in the collection carries the name of Scott Edwards Architecture, which lists its Evergreen campus work as 2003–2008.[21] Whether this addition was built as drawn is not yet confirmed.
Architect (Space Museum & theater)
Scott Edwards Architecture, Portland, which lists the project as 2003–2008 and names Sid Scott and Jeff Hammond among its team.[21] Interface Engineering lists both Scott Edwards Architecture and Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects as its clients on the museum work.[22] The 2004 theater drawings in the collection carry the firm’s name (see below). No Space Museum sheet from the collection has been photographed yet to check against a title block.
Large-format theater
The collection’s Scott Edwards drawings for it are dated January to June 2004. An IMAX 3-D theater with a six-story screen opened on the campus in March 2007.[30]
Work on the space museum building began in September 2006. It was completed in May 2008 and opened on June 6, 2008, seven years to the day after the aviation museum opened.[11]
Size & design (Space Museum)
About 120,000–125,000 sq ft (sources differ). The design echoes the aviation building[21][24] and includes a roof about 125 feet high and a below-floor pit for the Titan II rocket.[11][23]
Recognition
2008 ACI Excellence in Concrete Award, as listed by the architect.[21]
The 2004 theater drawings (Scott Edwards Architecture)
Six sheets from 2004, all carrying the Scott Edwards Architecture name, for the “Evergreen Large Format Theater” (spelled “Theatre” on some sheets) in McMinnville, plus a master plan for the whole campus. Most are printed as two-page spreads, so they seem to come from bound presentation sets (not yet confirmed). They are from Del’s personal collection, left at the residence (per April), and are shown here in date order. An IMAX theater opened on the campus in March 2007,[30] and the museum’s structural engineer lists the theater, with its 80-foot glass curtain wall, as a Scott Edwards Architecture design.[23] How closely the finished building follows these drawings is not yet confirmed.
January 9, 2004Site plan, “Evergreen Large Format Theater | McMinnville, OR.” The theater sits east of the Evergreen Aviation Museum (drawn with its “Captain Michael King Smith Educational Institute” seal), joined to it by a walkway and a round paved plaza. Labels include “existing parking lot to remain,” “new concrete paving pattern,” “service drive,” and “urban growth boundary.” Side elevations of both buildings run along the bottom. Photo: April Dawn BucknerFebruary 9, 2004“Evergreen Campus Master Plan | McMinnville, Oregon,” drawn over an aerial photo. Besides the “Existing Evergreen Aviation Museum” and the “Proposed Theater,” it marks a “Future Oregon Military Museum,” a “Future Chapel,” a “Future Restoration/Model Shop,” a “Veterans Memorial,” two amphitheaters, and several “Future Building” and “Future Parking” sites, along NE Captain Michael King Smith Way and NE Cumulus Avenue. Photo: April Dawn BucknerMarch 6, 2004“Elevation,” Evergreen Large Format Theatre. A gabled building with a tall center section and lower wings on each side, with a twin-engine airplane drawn in the sky. Photo: April Dawn BucknerApril 25, 2004Sheet A2.2, “First Floor Plan,” Evergreen Large Format Theater, marked “Not for Construction.” The title block carries the seal of the Captain Michael King Smith Educational Institute and the date “04.25.2004” (the print is very small). The plan shows the curved, stepped auditorium, offices and a conference room, a central lobby, and northeast and southeast multi-use rooms. Photo: April Dawn BucknerJune 9, 2004“North Elevation,” Evergreen Large Format Theatre | McMinnville, Oregon. A rendered view of the front, with a tall glass entrance between stone-textured walls, trees, and people at the doors. Photo: April Dawn BucknerJune 9, 2004“Lighting Concepts.” A long section through the building, labeled offices, auditorium, lobby, and “basement | multi-use spaces,” with a biplane hanging in the lobby. Smaller drawings show a “section at bridge” and a “multi-use space.” Photo: April Dawn Buckner
Books, memorabilia & notable items
Descriptions record what can be seen in the photographs and what April knows of each piece. Research is ongoing: details marked “not yet confirmed” are still being checked.
Photos: collection album shared by the site author. Some images are still frames from short videos. Photos of the diaries, the certificates, the Yamhill County inventory, and the reshot books: April Dawn Buckner.
The Evergreen Story
Hardcover history of the company by Bill Yenne. The cover credits a preface and epilogue to “Delford M. Smith, Chairman and Founder, Evergreen International Aviation.”
Related to
Del Smith · Evergreen
The American College Dictionary, Del’s own copy
Del’s own copy of The American College Dictionary, stamped “DELFORD SMITH” in gold on the cover, without the middle initial he later used. April calls it “Del’s personal book.”
It is the Text Edition. The copyright page reads “Copyright, 1947, by Random House, Inc. … Text Edition, Copyright, 1948, by Harper & Brothers,” and “Printed in the United States of America.” Tucked inside is its study booklet, The American College Dictionary: A Study Plan, prepared by Hans J. Gottlieb of New York University (copyright 1948, Harper & Brothers). Del turned 18 in 1948. The copy itself may be a later printing, so when he got it is not known.
The study-plan booklet and the copyright page. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
A Bantam paperback by Buzz Aldrin and Malcolm McConnell. The title page carries the handwritten inscription:
“To Mike Smith with best wishes”
It is signed with Buzz Aldrin’s name. Whether the signature is authentic is not yet confirmed.
Related to
Michael King Smith
Reason for Hope, inscribed to Del & Maria
Jane Goodall’s Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey, written with Phillip Berman (Warner Books). The dust jacket has a round “See it on PBS” sticker. The title page is inscribed in blue ink:
“For Del & Maria Smith. Together we can make this a better world. Jane Goodall”
It is signed with Jane Goodall’s name. Whether the signature is authentic is not yet confirmed.
Related to
Del & Maria Smith
Inscribed New Testament (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
A study edition of the New Testament sent by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The front page carries a handwritten note:
“To Del: Accomplishments that have a Christian base are always more rewarding. You are a fine example to us all. In Christian love,”
The note’s signature is not yet confirmed. The Billy Graham signature above it may be printed (not yet confirmed).
Related to
Del Smith
Michael’s binder & books
A binder with a handwritten cover sheet reading “Michael King Smith, 1-20-1966 DOB, 3-20-1995 passed, 29 yrs.” It also names his parents. Beside it are books including Basic Aerospace Doctrine of the United States Air Force (AFM 1-1), F100 Power for the Eagle, The R.O.T.C. Infantry Manual, Survival Sense for Pilots, and Men From Earth.
Related to
Michael King Smith
The Airborne Classbook, 1954
Del’s class book: HQ & Service Co., Airborne Class 1, graduated 30 July 1954. Inside, Del is listed as Lt. Delford Smith (“Smith Delford”), per April. The cover, the class photograph and the roster are shown and transcribed under Reference materials.
Date
Graduation 30 July 1954 (printed on cover)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Del Smith
Flight-screening solo certificate, 1989
A “Solo Certificate” on pale green paper, headed by a drawing of a U.S. Air Force Cessna 172 “Mescalero” T-41A. It reads:
“Solo Certificate from the Flight Screening Program of the United States Air Force. This is to certify that OT Michael K. Smith on the 4th day of October, 1989 did, alone and unassisted, take-off and return to Hondo Airfield, thereby successfully completing his Solo Flight.”
The day, month and year are filled in by hand. It is signed on the “Flight Instructor” line; the signature seems to read Michael D. Tittmore (not yet confirmed). At the bottom are the seal of the Air Training Command Flight Screening Program and the wings and name of Doss Aviation, Inc.
Date
October 4, 1989 (on the certificate)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Michael King Smith
Pilot-training graduation program & UW commencement photo
A binder page holding two things. Behind is a graduation program for Undergraduate Pilot Training, Class 91-04. In front, and covering part of it, is a photo card from the University of Washington commencement of June 10, 1989, showing Michael in cap and gown shaking hands with an official in academic robes. The visible text reads:
Program: “Graduation Program / Class 91-04 / United Sta… / 17 J… / Und… / Pilo… / Colu… / M… / Air Trai…” Photo card: “University of Washington / Commencement / June 10, 1989”
Only the visible words are transcribed. The rest of the program is hidden by the photo card, so its date and base are not yet confirmed. Michael’s page records that he finished pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base.
Date
Commencement June 10, 1989 (photo card); program date (not yet confirmed)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Michael King Smith
International Forest of Friendship certificate, 1995
A certificate from The International Forest of Friendship in Atchison, Kansas, in a green mat under clear plastic. It reads:
“Captain Michael King Smith has been honored in Memory Lane in The International Forest of Friendship for exceptional contributions to aviation.”
It is dated June 17, 1995, three months after his death, and signed on the lines for the Mayor of the City of Atchison and two co-chairmen, with the seal of the City of Atchison. The Forest is a memorial to aviation and aerospace, begun in 1976 by the City of Atchison and The Ninety-Nines, with honorees’ names on granite plaques along its paths; Memory Lane is the original path. Fay Gillis Wells and Joe Carrigan co-chaired it from the start.[29] The co-chairmen’s signatures appear to read Fay Gillis Wells and Joe Carrigan, and the mayor’s Katherine J. Ross (not yet confirmed). See also Michael’s page.
Date
June 17, 1995 (on the certificate)
Related to
Michael King Smith
Flying Tigers reunion program, 1995, with Del’s sponsor badge
The program from the 1995 reunion of the Flying Tigers, the American Volunteer Group (AVG), held in Portland, Oregon. The cover reads “Flying Tigers / American Volunteer Group / Chinese Air Force / 1941 • 1942 / Portland, Oregon / August 30, 31, September 1, 2, 1995,” over a painting of shark-mouth P-40 fighters on an airfield. Clipped to the top with a binder clip is Del’s name badge on a bead chain. It reads:
“SPONSOR / Flying Tigers 1941 1942 / DEL SMITH”
The badge identifies Del as a sponsor of the reunion.
Date
August 30–September 2, 1995 (on the cover)
Related to
Del Smith
Mission to Tehran
By General Robert E. Huyser, with an introduction by General Alexander M. Haig. The cover describes the fall of the Shah as told by the U.S. general who was secretly sent to Iran.
Desert Warrior, inscribed to Del in memory of Mike
Desert Warrior: A Personal View of the Gulf War by the Joint Forces Commander, by HRH General Khaled bin Sultan with Patrick Seale. The title page carries a handwritten inscription:
“To Delford M. Smith. In remembrance of your son Mike, with our greatest appreciation for your patriotism and the support you have shown the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. [signature] Nov 1996”
The signature is a flourish that cannot be read. Inscribed to Del by the book’s author, according to April; the signature itself has not been verified. “Mike” is Del’s son, Capt. Michael King Smith, who died in March 1995.
Date
Nov 1996 (inscription)
Related to
Del Smith · Michael King Smith
Mother Teresa: The Spirit and the Work
The authorized biography by Eileen Egan, with the title Such a Vision of the Street across the top of the cover.
Brahm Vidya, inscribed to Del by the author
Brahm Vidya: Knowledge of the Divine by Ujval Sagar Suri, a maroon hardcover stamped in gold, kept in a clear jacket. The title page is inscribed in blue ink:
“Dear Del Smith, I hope you enjoy reading this scripture, [closing word unclear], Ujval, 6/4/87”
The signature, “Ujval,” matches the author’s name. The closing word above it is hard to read and is left out here. The date is written “6/4/87,” which could mean June 4 or 6 April 1987 (not yet confirmed).
Date
“6/4/87” (inscription)
Related to
Del Smith
Boone, a gift from “Hong Kong Donna”
Boone, the autobiography of T. Boone Pickens, Jr. The flyleaf carries a handwritten inscription from a friend named Donna, not from the author:
“For King Kong Del from Hong Kong Donna, with joy and love, October 30, 1987, in Hong Kong.”
The last lines are hard to read. They may say “Searching for ‘your’ informer!” (not yet confirmed). Who Donna was is not yet confirmed.
Date
October 30, 1987 (inscription)
Related to
Del Smith
The End of Starvation
The End of Starvation: Creating an Idea Whose Time Has Come, from The Hunger Project.
Page 93: Thursday, May 31 to Sunday, June 3, 1984. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
The cover, stamped “1984” and “Delford M. Smith.”The title page.Pages 92–93, the week of Memorial Day.Page 88, May 14–16.
Del Smith’s 1984 Banker’s Diary and Guide
A Chase-issued appointment diary. The burgundy cover carries the Chase logo and is stamped in gold “1984” and “Delford M. Smith.” The title page reads “Banker’s Diary and Guide 1984,” published by Warren, Gorham & Lamont, Boston • New York. It is spiral-bound, with a red ribbon marker. According to April, it was Del Smith’s own diary for the year and holds his appointments and meetings.
Most entries are business meetings and travel. Among them, on the week of Memorial Day, are three family notes in Del’s diary:
Thursday, May 31: “Mike’s baccalaureate” Friday, June 1: “*Mike’s graduation” Notes: “Mike + Mark Racing in Seattle”
Michael graduated from McMinnville High School in 1984.[7] A few more words follow the racing note and are hard to read (not yet confirmed). Page 88 (May 14–16) shows a typical run of appointments, ending with a 6:00 pm “Valley Comm. Bank Board of Direct. meeting” on Tuesday, May 15.
Date
1984 (stamped on cover, printed on title page)
Publisher
Warren, Gorham & Lamont (title page)
Related to
Del Smith · Michael King Smith
The week of January 4–10, 1988. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
The cover, stamped “1988.”The week of March 14–20, 1988.
Del Smith’s 1988 diary
A black leather-look hardcover stamped “1988” in gold at the upper right, with red ribbon markers. No name or other lettering is visible on the front cover. According to April, it was Del Smith’s own diary for the year. It has a week to each two-page spread.
The first week of January is a week on the road: Seattle, San Francisco, Long Beach, Columbus (Ohio), Detroit, and Chicago, ending with a return to McMinnville, then a “Regional Sales Meeting” on Saturday and a “Station Manager’s Meeting” on Sunday. On Tuesday, January 5, a note reads:
“C. V. Glines (Editor of Professional Pilot Mag.) … Here to interview DMS for cover story in March issue”
In mid-March the diary lists an “Evergreen Board of Directors Meeting” on Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th, and an “ATA Bd. of Directors” meeting at “Headquarters in Wash. D.C.” on Thursday the 17th. Whether the Professional Pilot cover story ran is not yet confirmed.
Date
1988 (stamped on cover)
Related to
Del Smith · Evergreen
A Practical Manual on the Appraisal of Capital Expenditure
By C. G. Edge. Special Study No. 1 (revised edition), published by the Society of Industrial and Cost Accountants of Canada. Spiral-bound.
More of Michael’s things, still to be photographed
Among the memorabilia left at the residence, April has also found more of Michael King Smith’s certificates and badges, and photographs of him. They will be added here as they are photographed. His birth announcement, the papers from his December 1989 graduation, and his 1991 training certificates are now under Reference materials.
Papers in the collection that fill in the story of the Smith family, and of the house itself.
The inscribed title page. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
The cover, with its “Aviation Book of the Year” sticker.
Featured
Howard Hughes and his Flying Boat, by Charles Barton, inscribed to Del
“To Del Smith, Conservator and collector of classic airplanes. You have the gratitude of all of us who cherish aviation history.”Charles Barton, Arlington, Virginia, November 8, 1992
Charles Barton’s book tells the story of the Hughes H-4 Hercules, the giant wooden flying boat known as the “Spruce Goose.” A round red sticker on the cover reads “Aviation Book of the Year,” with the name of the Aviation/Space Writers Association around its edge. Barton inscribed this copy to Del by hand on the title page. The year in the date is written over and reads 1992 (not yet confirmed).
The flying boat is the one Del’s museum brought to Oregon. In 1992 the Evergreen Museum, founded by Del and Michael, won the bid to give it a new home.[11] It was taken apart that year, and its fuselage, wings and tail traveled by barge and truck to McMinnville, arriving in February 1993.[3][11] It went on display in the museum Del built in Michael’s memory, the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, now renamed the North American Aerospace Museum.[11][12] If the date is 1992, Barton wrote the inscription in the year the museum won the flying boat. See Legacy for the aircraft’s story.
Inscribed
November 8, 1992, Arlington, Virginia (year (not yet confirmed))
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Del Smith · the Spruce Goose
The letter, one lined sheet folded once. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain, Fiftieth Anniversary Edition, the book the letter was found in.
A birthday letter from Mark, in Del’s copy of The Seven Storey Mountain
A handwritten letter from Del’s son Mark, written for Del’s 71st birthday. It was found inside Del’s copy of Thomas Merton’s The Seven Storey Mountain (Fiftieth Anniversary Edition), left at the residence. It seems to be the book the letter mentions. The letter is not dated. Del was born on February 25, 1930, so he turned 71 in February 2001, and the letter was probably written around then (not yet confirmed).
Dad,
Happy 71st! Hope you enjoy this book. Merton chose to search rather than follow. I think that’s what made his life so rich — by rich I mean the way his efforts led to understanding.
I depart tomorrow for Chamonix. Mont-Blanc, the Matterhorn, the haute route and some descents whose French names are not very meaningful (that will probably change once I look down them) will fill most of my days. I’m going to stay until I get everything done. I’ll call you when I get settled.
Love, Mark
P.S. Again congratulations on your GATX victory.
Transcribed from the photograph, keeping Mark’s wording. What the “GATX victory” refers to is not yet confirmed.
Date
Around February 2001, from “Happy 71st” (not yet confirmed)
Provenance
Found inside Del’s copy of The Seven Storey Mountain, left at the residence
Related to
Del Smith · Mark Smith
Yamhill County Cultural Resources Survey and Inventory
An orange pressboard folder with a typed label, “Cultural Resources Inventory / Yamhill County, Oregon,” and a bound report titled “Yamhill County / Cultural Resources Survey and Inventory,” from the county’s Department of Planning and Development. The report cover has a pen drawing of a two-story Victorian house; which house it shows is not yet confirmed. An index card kept with them reads:
“Purchased from Yamhill County Planning Department 10-1-1999”
The purchase card. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
The residence’s 1906 farmhouse, the J. D. Gordon house, is described in this inventory, according to the 2019 auction listing.[17] Who bought this copy, and whether it includes the farmhouse’s entry, are not yet confirmed. See The Residence.
Date
Purchased 10-1-1999 (card)
Related to
The residence
The announcement opened flat. The cover panel (top left) prints upside down on the open sheet, so that it faces the right way when the card is folded. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
The inside spread, folded: the clearer shot of the specifications.
Michael’s birth announcement, January 1966: “Heir-by-Air”
Michael King Smith’s birth announcement, written up as the delivery of a new aircraft, “another Evergreen Helicopters first.” On the cover, a cartoon helicopter carries a baby in a sling, with a delivery tag giving the time and date of his birth. Inside, a parachuting baby faces a mock specification sheet. The card is printed in blue on cream stock.
Cover HEIR-BY-AIR… DELIVER TO: Del & Jo Lynn Smith One (1) Boy named Michael King at 8:30 a.m. January 20th, 1966
PERFORMANCE Endurance T.B.O. (Time Between Overfeedings) … Not Enough Range @ S.L. (Scream Level) … Incredible Climb Rate F.P.M. (For Parents @ Midnight) … Quickly Service Ceiling FT. (Feeding Times) … Unlimited
SPECIAL ACCESSORIES Spray Gear (no manual shut-off valve) Loudspeaker (automatic)
HANGARED AT [street address withheld], McMinnville, Oregon
REGISTERED OWNERS Del and Jo Lynn Smith
Transcribed from the photographs, keeping the printed wording. The street address under “Hangared at” is left out here. Beside the cover drawing, a wavy line has been drawn in pencil along the edge of the card, with a pencilled note that seems to read “Deckled edge” (not yet confirmed). It may be a printing note rather than a signature. The birth date matches the one on Michael’s page.
Date
January 20, 1966 (on the delivery tag)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Michael King Smith · Del Smith · Evergreen
The class photograph, an 8×10 black-and-white print. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
Michael’s class at the ANG Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, 1989
A group photograph of Michael’s class at the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science (AMS), where he graduated in December 1989. The AMS was at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee, according to the two letters below. About twenty cadets in service uniform stand on bleachers around a large shield. It reads:
“0-90-2” (above the shield) “ANG Academy of Military Science” (on the shield) “ANG AMS” and “B FLT” (on the guidon)
The number above the shield appears to be the class designation (not yet confirmed). Which cadet is Michael is not identified.
Date
1989, the class that graduated in December 1989 (not yet confirmed)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Michael King Smith
The letter, one typed sheet in a binder sleeve. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
Congratulations from the Oregon Air National Guard, 20 December 1989
A letter from the headquarters of the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142 Fighter Interceptor Group in Portland, sent to the AMS in Knoxville for Michael (“2LT Mike Smith”) and a classmate, congratulating them on their graduation.
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS 142 FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR GROUP (ANG) PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (ANG), OREGON 97218-2797
REPLY TO ATTN OF: CC-A 20 December 1989
SUBJECT: AMS Graduation
TO: Commandant, AMS McGhee Tyson Arpt Knoxville, TN
ATTN: 2LT Mike Smith and 2LT Mike Allegre
Congratulations from Lt Col J.M. Thomas, 123 FIS Commander, Lt Col C. H. Hellis, 142 Mission Support Squadron Commander and myself on your graduation from AMS. The Oregon Air National Guard shares your pride in this significant accomplishment. Despite our best efforts, we are unable to attend your graduation as planned, but be assured that our hearts are with you. We eagerly await your return to Oregon to begin your careers as officers in the 142 Fighter Interceptor Group.
[signature] T.W. McKinsey, Lt Col, ORANG Air Commander
Transcribed from the photograph, keeping the typed wording. The names are as typed. The commander’s first initial looks like “T” in the typed signature block (not yet confirmed).
Date
20 December 1989 (on the letter)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Michael King Smith
The letter, with the congressman’s handwritten greeting, signature and closing line. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
A letter from Congressman Denny Smith, December 21, 1989
A letter from Denny Smith, then a member of Congress from Oregon, sent to Michael at Evergreen International Aviation in McMinnville. The greeting, the signature and the last line are handwritten.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 DENNY SMITH OREGON
December 21, 1989
Mike Smith Evergreen International Aviation 1850 Three Mile Lane McMinnville, Oregon 97128
Dear Mike, (“Mike” handwritten)
Congratulations on your graduation from the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science. Your many hours of hard work have paid off, and I’m sure there’s a bright future ahead for you.
Best personal regards, Denny (signed) Denny Smith Member of Congress
DS:gw
Handwritten: Many happy landings –
Transcribed from the photograph, keeping the typed and handwritten wording.
Date
December 21, 1989 (on the letter)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Michael King Smith · Evergreen
The certificate. A personal identification number printed after Michael’s name has been covered with a gray block for privacy. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
Water survival training certificate, February 1991
A USAF Certificate of Training (AF Form 1256) for a three-day water survival course with the 3613th Combat Crew Training Squadron at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida.
The United States Air Force certifies that
2LT MICHAEL K. SMITH, (number withheld)
has successfully completed the WATER SURVIVAL TRAINING COURSE S-V86-A, PDS CODE V8D, COURSE LENGTH THREE DAYS 3613TH COMBAT CREW TRAINING SQUADRON, HOMESTEAD AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA
and is herewith awarded this Certificate of Training
[signature] GARY E. RATTRAY, Lt Col, USAF Commander
20 Feb 91 · DATE
AF FORM 1256, NOV 86 · Previous edition will be used.
Date
20 February 1991 (on the certificate)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Michael King Smith
The certificate, with the squadron patch between the two signatures. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
“He soloed his F-15 Eagle”: the 95th TFTS certificate, July 2, 1991
A squadron tribute certificate from the 95th TFTS (Tactical Fighter Training Squadron), marking Michael’s first solo flight in the F-15 Eagle. It is printed in blackletter type with a blue scalloped border and a drawing of an eagle.
95th TFTS
Be it known to all men that on July 2, 1991 2 Lt. Mike Smith soloed his F-15 Eagle, taking the first step toward becoming a FIGHTER PILOT:
Say what you want about him. Arrogant, cocky, boisterous, and a fun-loving fool to boot he has earned his place in the sun. Across the span of 50 years he has given this country some it’s proudest moments and most cherished military traditions. Almost forgotten are the 1,400 fighter pilots who stood alone against the might of Hitler’s Germany during the dark summer of 1940 and in the words of Winston Churchill, gave England “it’s finest hour.”
Gone from the hardstands of Duxford are the 51s with their checkerboard noses, that terrorized the finest fighter squadrons the Luftwaffe had. Dimly remembered is the 4th Fighter Group that gave Americans some of the few proud moments in the skies over Korea. How fresh in recall are the air commandos who valiantly struck the VC with their aging “Skyraiders” in the blood-soaked valley called Ashau? And how long will be remembered the Thuds over “Route Pack Six” and the flak-filled skies above Hanoi.
So here’s a “nickel on the grass” to you, my friend for your spirit, enthusiasm, sacrifice and courage but most of all your friendship. Yours is a dying breed and when you are gone, the world will be a lesser place.
James F. Miller (signed) Bonehead Commander “Sundance” (handwritten, with a small sun)
M. Hoffman (signed) “Spike” Instructor Pilot
Transcribed exactly, keeping the original spelling and punctuation (“it’s proudest,” “Ashau”). The instructor pilot’s surname seems to read Hoffman (not yet confirmed). The patch between the signatures reads “95th Tac Ftr Tng Sq” (not yet confirmed). James F. Miller also signed Michael’s F-15 course certificate below.
Date
July 2, 1991 (on the certificate)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Michael King Smith
The certificate, in a binder sleeve. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
F-15 Operational Training Course certificate, October 11, 1991
A USAF Certificate of Training recording that Michael completed the F-15 operational training course with the 95th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron.
The United States Air Force certifies that
LT MICHAEL SMITH
has successfully completed the USAF F-15 OPERATIONAL TRAINING COURSE F1500B00AL/T CLASS 91 LBT
and is herewith awarded this Certificate of Training
[signature] JAMES F. MILLER, Lt Col, USAF Commander, 95th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron
11 October 1991 · DATE
The rank is typed “LT.” Some characters of the course code could be the letter O or the digit zero (not yet confirmed).
Date
11 October 1991 (on the certificate)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Michael King Smith
123rd Fighter Squadron and Oregon Air Guard patches
Two embroidered patches kept in a binder sleeve. One reads “123rd Fighter Squadron / Redhawks” around a red hawk carrying a missile. The other reads “Oregon Air Guard” around an eagle’s head and a fighter jet. Michael flew F-15s with the 123rd Fighter Squadron, Oregon Air National Guard (see his page).
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Michael King Smith
F4U Corsair “Ruthless II”
A color print of a Vought F4U Corsair taxiing, its canopy open. The dark blue fighter carries the number “4” and a star-and-bar insignia on the fuselage, and the name “Ruthless II” on the tail. From the Smith family photos; the aircraft’s history is not yet confirmed.
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
The Sigma Tau chapter page, with the group photograph and the row-by-row names. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
The cover.The “Welcome!” letter.
Husky Fiji, 1952, Sigma Tau chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, University of Washington
A rush magazine the Sigma Tau chapter of Phi Gamma Delta (the “Fijis”) sent to students thinking of joining. The cartoon cover reads “Husky Fiji / 1952.” Inside are a welcome letter from the rushing chairman and a page with a photograph of the chapter’s members. Del went by “Bud” in these years, per April, and “Bud Smith” is the sixth name in the front row. Where he stands in the photograph is not yet marked. The caption lists thirteen names for the front row, but fourteen men sit in it, so the names cannot be matched to faces by counting alone.
Transcription: the “Welcome!” letter
Welcome!
Welcome to the University of Washington! Sigma Tau of Phi Gamma Delta takes pleasure in showing you a bit of college life through this publication. If you plan to enter our University, this magazine will be of service to you and to your parents, to better acquaint you with the fraternal life at Washington.
Our fraternity has two fundamental purposes: service to the institution that fosters it, and development of its members.
A fraternity is an association of men, selected in their college days, for their adherence to common ideals and aspirations. Out of fraternal associations arise personal relationships which make men unselfishly seek to build high ideals and character, and to advance one another in the arts of a Christian life.
Through the medium of this magazine we cordially invite you to look at our chapter, which we proudly display.
Sincerely yours, Irish Coles (signed) IRISH COLES Rushing Chairman
Transcription: the Sigma Tau page (names row by row)
Front Row: Don Flye, Jim Fletcher, Tom Brazier, Dan Alexander, Hank Gaffner, Bud Smith (Delford “Bud” Smith, per April), Ron Robertson, Jerry Thornton, Chet Latimer, Bruce McKibbin, Bud Hoffman, Stan Burkland, Dewey Metzdorf.
2nd Row: Ed Maher, Chuck Magnuson, Tom Kuebler, John Radovich, Bill Hopf, Warren Bennett, Don Brazier, Art Gollofon, Bill Riley, Al Johnson, George Casperson, Pat Coles, Ralph Falk, Al Holt.
3rd Row: Jim Turner, Jerry Turman, Dick Quinn, Larry Smith, Chuck Riley, Jack Nugent, Dick Sandberg, Bob Garvin, Bill Revere, Jim Dykes, Jim Stoddard, Gary MacLeod, Ned Wells, Jim Houston, Jerry Gibbons, Bud Hutchins, Jerry Murphy.
4th Row: Bob Kuebler, Ron Kirtland, Jim Merz, Bud Moore, Bruce Mauser, Ed Shaeffer, Bob Mendel, Bob Peabody, Dan Newman, Bob Sweagle, Erv Johnson.
SIGMA TAU
These are the men of Sigma Tau Chapter. For the past year they are the Fijis who have carried on the traditions of Phi Gamma Delta at Washington. It is the fifty-second year since Fijiland has been established here and has been one of the best years ever at the Husky Fiji house.
Continually the Fijis have demonstrated their policy of “First the University Then the Fraternity.” In all phases of college life they have shown their worth, and in addition have worked to keep Sigma Tau Chapter on top.
In the picture above, you see a group between which common bonds of fellowship are developing, which will last through many years and will always provide memories of the great Fijiland where they spend their college days. But these men aren’t just Fijis for four years, as the saying goes, “Once a Fiji, Always a Fiji.”
Transcribed from the photographs, keeping the printed spelling. The 1952 University of Washington yearbook also lists him among the chapter’s members, as “Smith, Bud, Jr.”[32]
Date
1952 (printed on cover)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Del Smith
Lt. Delford M. Smith of Centralia, Washington, top row, third from left in the upper photo (identified by April). The circle and label are added. View the page without markings. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
The cover.The roster page.
Del’s Airborne classbook, 1954
A softbound class book. The cover reads “The Airborne,” with a parachutist and three parachutist badges, then:
“Headquarters and Service Co. / Airborne Class 1 / Graduation 30 July 1954 / Classbook”
Inside, Del is listed in the class photo as Lt. Delford Smith (“Smith Delford”), per April. The class-photo page is titled “Headquarters and Service Company, Airborne Class 1” and holds two group photographs of the class, more than eighty men in all, with no other printed text. Class photo, Headquarters and Service Company, Airborne Class 1 (1954): Lt. Delford M. Smith of Centralia, Washington, top row, third from left in the upper photo (identified by April).
The roster page, “Headquarters and Service Co. Roster,” lists the Student Officers and then the Enlisted Men, alphabetically within each rank, most with a home address. Del’s entry is in the column of lieutenants: Lt. Smith, Delford M. (Centralia, Wash.). The book does not say which service or base the class belonged to.
Roster transcription (names, ranks and home towns)
As printed, with street addresses left out. Names printed without a home town are listed by name only.
Student Officers
Colonel Gomes, Lloyd H.
Colonel Grieves, William P.
Colonel McKnight, David T.
Lt. Col. Anderson, David L. (Ventura, Calif.)
Lt. Col. Blanchard, George S. (Arlington, Va.)
Lt. Col. Briggs, Elwin J.
Lt. Col. Cross, James C. (Hope, Ark.)
Lt. Col. Eisiminger, Sterling K. (Columbus, Ga.)
Lt. Col. Lee, Richard W.
Major Gewinner, Marcus N.
Major Greenlief, Dale R.
Major Kaigler, Charles G. (Ft. Bragg, N. C.)
Major Milligan, Jack A. (Akron 4, Ohio)
Captain Bartlett, James E. (Darien, Conn.)
Captain Bennett, William E.
Captain Dowe, Ray M. Jr. (Arlington, Va.)
Captain Fahy, John W. (Springfield, Missouri)
Captain Fye, Robert W. (Fort Bliss, Texaxs (as printed))
Captain Haynes, Return C. (Richland, Kansas)
Captain Meinzen, Walter E. (Carlisle Barracks, Penna.)
Captain Shelby, Jackie F.
Captain Whalen, Donald H.
1st Lt. Barringer, John P. (Fort Eustis, Va.)
1st Lt. Perry, Russell (Ft. Eustis, Va.)
1st Lt. Shelby, Jack F. (Alexandria AFB, La.)
Lt. Brumfield, Lamar R.
Lt. Calhoun, Evans C. (Memphis, Tenn.)
Lt. Cusick, John R.
Lt. DeNye, Blaine A. (Chicago, Ill.)
Lt. Dunlap, Everett R.
Lt. Humphries, George D.
Lt. Ingram, Thomas A.
Lt. Leszczynski, Jos. J.
Lt. Mercier, Charles R.
Lt. Seabrook, Arthur H.
Lt. Smith, Bernard C. Jr. (Eliot, Me.)
Lt. Smith, Delford M. (Centralia, Wash.)
Lt. Weinberg, Richard G. (Miami Beach, Fla.)
Lt. Zurn, Harlan L.
CWO Buzhardt, Frank
Enlisted Men
Batey, Andrew E. (Middleport, Ohio)
Benn, Wilford A. (Moapa, Nevada)
Bethune, Kenneth R. (Trenton, Ga.)
Cobb, James H. (Anderson, S. C.)
Cowper, James H. (Laramie, Wyoming)
Dickhaus, Elmer L. (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Earney, Paul L. (Austin, Texas)
Eskiloson, Neil S. (Keyser, W. Va.)
Fleming, Robert V. (Union, S. C.)
Garbarro, Aijo J. (Columbus, Ohio)
Garnett, Claude R. (Sparta, Ky.)
Gavrilovich, George D. (Toledo, Ohio)
Hayden, Harry J. (Brooksville, Miss.)
Humphreys, Gary L. (Ogden, Utah)
Jaquith, Ronald H. (Hartford, Conn.)
McCranie, William W. (Baltimore, Md.)
McGee, James M. (Hamlet, N. C.)
Nettles, R. J. (Scranton, South Car.)
Page, Merchant E. (Troy, Ohio)
Richter, Eugene M. (Buffalo, N. Y.)
Risse, William A. (San Antonio 9, Texas)
Rivera-Roig, Francisco (Adrian, Mich.)
Ross, Lee T. (Gallup, New Mexico)
Schlachet, Aleksander (New York 25, N. Y.)
Selmo, Albert (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
Sessoms, James P.
Strawderman, Henry A. (Hialeah, Fla.)
Sykes, Ralph
Taube, Serge (Washington 7, D. C.)
Toon, Billy G. (Cove, Arkansas)
Washington, Albert L. (Coatesville, Penn.)
Wilbert, James E. (Chincoteague, Va.)
Williams, Frank (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Wilson, Willie (Cleveland, Ohio)
Wisham, Charlie R. (Midlothian, Va.)
Wright, Fred J. (Wilmington, N. C.)
Date
Graduation 30 July 1954 (printed on cover)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Del Smith
Harry’s letter to Maria, May 10, 2000. The street address is covered with a gray block for privacy. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
The acknowledgment of Evergreen’s contribution.John Rosica’s letter, June 5, 2000 (street address covered).
Horatio Alger Award nomination, 2000
Three papers from the spring of 2000, when Del was nominated for the Horatio Alger Award, per these letters. Two letters to Maria discuss the nomination, and a receipt records Evergreen’s contribution for seats at that year’s awards dinner. Del was named to the Horatio Alger Association’s Class of 2002.[26]
Transcription: letter from Harry, Merlo Corporation, May 10, 2000
Merlo Corporation
May 10, 2000
Mrs. Maria Smith (street address omitted) Dundee, OR
Dear Maria:
Thank you for your nice note and kind words. I was pleased to see you at the fundraiser for New Avenues for Youth. Its program of re-directing the lives of the children living in the streets of Portland is near to my heart. I have been very gratified with their success rate and am eager to reach more of these abandoned youth. Thank you for your support.
Thanks, also, for advising me of Del’s nomination for the Horatio Alger Award. Wally Amos called a few weeks ago to tell me he was nominating Del.
I must tell you that there are over 1,200 well-qualified men and women nominated each year. With a great deal of difficulty and with no input from me, the list is reduced to 20 semi-finalists before I and the other nominating council members are presented with the task of reviewing the nominations. I hope to see the name “Delford Smith” on that semi-final list so I can vote in his favor.
Hope all is going well with you. Enjoy the beauty of the spring season and all the budding flowers.
Best regards, Harry (signed)
(Letterhead footer with the company’s Portland, Oregon address and phone numbers, not transcribed.)
The letter is signed only “Harry.” On Merlo Corporation letterhead, he is probably Harry Merlo (not yet confirmed).
Transcription: Horatio Alger Association acknowledgment, April 2000
(Stamped:) MAY 02 2000
HORATIO ALGER AWARDS
Horatio Alger Association Acknowledgment of Charitable Contribution
Name of donor/organization: Evergreen International Aviation, Inc. Date contribution received: April 21, 2000 Amount of contribution: $10,000.00 Description of contribution: 4 Seat(s) at the Awards Ceremony & Dinner Fair market value of goods or services provided (if applicable): $150 per seat ($1,500 per table)
Signature: (signed) · Date: April 26, 2000 Name: Kevin Byrne Title: Director, Program Services & Development
(Tax identification number omitted)
Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. 99 Canal Center Plaza Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Transcription: letter from John Rosica, June 5, 2000
Rosica Mulhern & Associates Inc · Established 1980 Paramus, New Jersey (street address, phone, fax and e-mail in the letterhead not transcribed)
June 5, 2000
Mrs. Del Smith (street address omitted) Dundee, OR
Dear Maria,
Today I receievd the copy of Harry’s letter to you. Last year we did get through the 1200 well-qualified men and women and it was boiled down to the final 20 and he killed it. The hypocrit.
At dinner recently with Walter Anderson, also a past winner, he suggested I call Tom Harkin in Beaumont. Tom’s another past winner. Tom will nominate Del also.
I look forward to seeing you and Del next Thursday and Friday in McMinnville.
Sincerely, John Rosica
Transcribed as written, keeping the original spelling (“receievd,” “hypocrit”). The letter came by fax; the fax header line is not transcribed. The letter does not say which past nomination it refers to.
Date
April 21 – June 5, 2000 (on the papers)
Provenance
From the Smith family papers left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Del Smith · Maria Smith · Evergreen
Reference materials
From Del’s personal library
Books and manuals from Del’s own shelves, left at the residence.
Barry Goldwater, The State of Our Industry and Raw Materials in Relation to Defense, 1981
A clothbound printing of a lecture Senator Barry Goldwater gave at The Wings Club in New York. The cover, stamped in silver around the club’s winged emblem, reads:
“Eighteenth Wings Club ‘Sight’ Lecture / The State of Our Industry and Raw Materials in Relation to Defense / Senator Barry Goldwater / Presented at The Wings Club on April 22, 1981 / New York City”
Date
Lecture April 22, 1981 (printed on cover)
Provenance
From Del’s personal library, left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Del Smith
AFM 1-1, Basic Aerospace Doctrine of the United States Air Force
A blue binder of the Air Force manual on basic doctrine. The cover reads “AFM 1-1 / Basic Aerospace Doctrine of the United States Air Force,” with the seal of the Department of the Air Force (“Department of the Air Force / United States of America / MCMXLVII”). AFM 1-1 was issued in several editions, and which one this is is not yet confirmed.
Date
Edition (not yet confirmed)
Provenance
From Del’s personal library, left at the residence (per April)
Related to
Del Smith
The title page, with a handwritten marking beside the crossed rifles. Photo: April Dawn Buckner
The cover.
The R.O.T.C. Manual, Infantry, 1st Year Basic, Volume I
A clothbound textbook for first-year ROTC cadets. The cover reads “The R.O.T.C. Infantry Manual.” The title page reads:
THE R.O.T.C. MANUAL Infantry
A Textbook for the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
1st YEAR BASIC VOLUME I 23d Edition
(crossed rifles) · (handwritten marking, not yet confirmed)
THE MILITARY SERVICE PUBLISHING COMPANY HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
Beside the crossed rifles is a small handwritten pencil marking, possibly a “6” above a signature or initials (not yet confirmed). The year of the 23d edition is not printed on this page (not yet confirmed).
Provenance
From Del’s personal library, left at the residence (per April)
