Collection Summary | ||
| Title | Gerald Adams Photograph Collection | |
| Dates (Inclusive) | 1912-1999 | |
| Dates (Bulk) | ||
| Creator | Adams, Gerald M., 1920-2006 | |
| Abstract | Col. (Ret.) Gerald M. Adams served in the U.S. Air Force from 1940-1978. Following his retirement, he wrote numerous articles and four books about Western military and early Cheyenne aviation history. The Gerald Adams Photograph Collection contains images related to the history of Warren Air Base and its leadership in the 1970s and 1980s. | |
| Collection Number | P86-34, P99-5, P99-33, P99-42 | |
| Size | .1 cf (2 file folders) | |
| Repository | Wyoming State Archives | |
| Languages | English | |
Col. (Ret.) Gerlad M. Adams was born on December 20, 1920, on the family farm in Frontier County, Nebraska, graduating from the local high school in 1940. That same year, he enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard’s 134th Infantry, which was soon called for active duty during World War II. In August 1942, Col. Adams graduated from Army Air Corps training and was assigned to the 8th Air Force in England as a first lieutenant. He spent two years flying high altitude reconnaissance aircraft and spitfires over enemy lines as a pilot and later flight and squadron commander.
At the start of the Korean Conflict in 1950, he was recalled to active with the Air Force Strategic Air Command, station stateside and in Morocco. Col. Adams later served in Africa 1955-1957, Europe 1966-1969, and Vietnam 1971-1972. He also served in the Air Staff, Pentagon; Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York City; and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Paris. He retired from the Air Force while stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base near Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1978 as decorated Colonel.
Col. Adams earned a bachelor’s degree From the University of Maryland and master’s degrees from Long Island University and the University of Wyoming. During his military service, he attended the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and the Industrial College in Washington, D.C.
Following his retirement, Col. Adams settled in Cheyenne with his wife, Kathleen. He indulged in his passion for Western military and early Cheyenne aviation history, writing four books and numerous articles for magazines, newspapers and journals.
Col. Adams passed away on February 8, 2006, and was buried in the F.E. Warren Air Base cemetery with full military honors.
Item level inventory available on-site.
The Gerald Adams Photograph Collection contains images buildings of Fort D.A. Russell, Fort Frances E. Warren and Warren Air Force Base collected by Col. (Ret.) Gerald Adams. The collection also contains images of base commanders and awards presentations and contemporary photographs of historic buildings on the base.
The collection is open for research.
User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Item description, collection number/print number, Gerald Adams Photograph Collection, Wyoming State Archives.
Processed prior to 2005.
14 photos loaned for copy by Col. Gerald M. Adams in 1986 and accessioned as P86-34. 16 images were loaned for by by Col. Gerald M. Adams in 1999 and accessioned as P99-33. One 35mm roll plus 4 loose images of Col. Gerald M. Adams were donated in 1999 and accessioned as P99-42. 4 photographs were donated by the Cheyenne Polo Club in 1999 and accessioned as P99-5.
Gearld M. Adams Papers, 1867-1992, Collection #11428, American Heritage Center.
F.E. Warren Air Force Base (Wyo.)
United States. Army Air Forces
| Description | Container | ||||
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P86-34 |
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P99-5 |
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P99-33 |
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P99-42 |
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