Edgar McElroy Collection

Collection

Identifier: 000060

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Edgar McElroy Collection features documents, photographs, and newspaper articles about Lt. Col. McElroy and his role as a B-25 Mitchell pilot. The documents detail his upbringing and background but mainly highlight his contributions during the Doolittle Raid of Tokyo. The collection's photographs include images of Lt. Col. McElroy in active service, after retirement, and a B-25 Mitchell aircraft named in his honor. The newspaper articles cover Lt. Col. McElroy, the Doolittle Raid, and mention his wife, son, and parents.

Dates

Creation: 1942 - 1992

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on this collection. Publisher is responsible for complying with copyright law.

Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Colonel Edgar “Mac” McElroy (March 24, 1912 – April 4, 2003) was born and raised in Ennis, Texas, as the youngest of five children. On November 28, 1940, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program and underwent primary training in California. He graduated on July 11, 1941, and married Agnes “Aggie” Gill just two days later in Reno, Nevada. Lt. Col. McElroy’s first duty station was Pendleton, Oregon, where he served as a B-25 Mitchell pilot with the 37th Bomb Squadron of the 17th Bomb Group. He was later selected for the Doolittle Raid and was the pilot of the thirteenth B-25 to take off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet on April 18, 1942. The crew flew to China after bombing enemy supplies at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan. Lt. Col. McElroy then remained in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, flying combat missions until June 1943. After 22 years of service, he retired from the U.S. Air Force as a highly decorated command pilot on July 1, 1962.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Edgar McElroy Collection features documents, photographs, and newspaper articles about Lt. Col. McElroy and his role as a B-25 Mitchell pilot who participated in the Doolittle Raids.