Dennis D. Gordon Research Files about Montana Aviators in World War I, 1896-1997
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
-
Biographical Note
- Content Description
- Use of the Collection
- Administrative Information
-
Detailed Description of the Collection
- A, 1979
- B, 1919-1980
- B, 1918-1980
- C, 1917-1980
- C, 1918
- D, 1918-1979
- F, undated
- G, 1933-1979
- G, 1979
- Ben Harwood, circa 1920s
- Ben Harwood, 1918-1919
- Ben Harwood, 1918-1978
- H, 1978-1980
- Bruce Hopper Writings and Publications, 1939-1948
- Bruce Hopper Correspondence and Writings, 1925-1962
- Bruce Hopper Scrapbook Photos, 1896-1952
- J, undated
- K, 1917-1979
- L, 1917-1918
- M, 1980
- M, 1980-1985
- W. H. Minnerly Scrapbooks, circa 1910s
- W. H. Minnerly Scrapbook Photographs, circa 1910s
- Montana Aviators, circa 1980s
- P, 1918-1979
- P, 1979
- S, 1918-1980
- S, 1918-1979
- Raymond J. Saunders, 1979
- J. J. Smith, 1977
- Arthur Stephenson, 1917
- T, 1918-1980
- U. S. 96th Aero Squadron, 1917-1918
- V, undated
- W, 1918-1979
- W, 1918-1979
- Edward Young, 1918-1980
- XYZ, 1997
- 669 Aero Squad Memorabilia, circa 1910s
- Names and Subjects
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Gordon, Dennis D. (Dennis Douglas), 1943-2025
- Title
- Dennis D. Gordon Research Files about Montana Aviators in World War I
- Dates
- 1896-1997 (inclusive)18961997
- Quantity
- 1.8 linear feet
- Collection Number
- Mss 1022
- Summary
- The Dennis Gordon Research Files about Montana Aviators in World War I contain various information about World War I pilots who were from Montana. The collection consists mostly of photographs and documents related to various Montanans and their service in the United States Air Force and correspondence between Gordon and veterans’ families regarding personal histories. There is also a photograph album that documents early aviators more generally.
- Repository
-
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.
- Languages
- English, visual
Biographical Note
Dennis Douglas Gordon was born on July 2, 1943 in Missoula, Montana. Gordon attended the University of Montana in Missoula, where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in 1969 and his Master’s degree in 1970. He ran an antique business in Missoula in the 1970s and 1980s. As a military historian, he has focused on World War I for most of his career. His book Quartered in Hell: The Story of the American North Russia Expeditionary Force 1918–1919 was published in 1982. Gordon has served as a long-time board member for the Rocky Mountain Museum of Natural History and was also a co-founder of the National Doughboy Historical Society. In addition, he volunteered at Fort Missoula for over 20 years, consulting on the renovation of several buildings, including Heritage Hall. Dennis Gordon passed away in Missoula, Montana on July 26, 2025.
Content Description
Dennis Gordon's research files contain original and copied photographs of World War I aviators from Montana before, during, and after service. There are additional United States Air Force documents for some of the aviators, as well as pins and other memorabilia. The bulk of the information in the collection concerns pilots Ben Harwood and Bruce Hopper, but over 30 other Montana WWI aviators are represented. Hopper, in particular, served in the 96th Aero Squadron and the ambulance service in France. The collection also contains correspondence between Gordon and various Montana veterans and their family members. There are also a few original publications from Gordon and aviators in this collection.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Non-exclusive copyright held by the University of Montana.
Preferred Citation
Dennis D. Gordon Research Files about Montana Aviators in World War I, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
The creator's folder titles were maintained, but the processor arranged them alphabetically by last name.
Custodial History
Dennis Gordon acquired the materials in this collection from several World War I veterans and their families at different times. Gordon held the collection until he donated it to the Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections in February 2025.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Dennis D. Gordon, February 2025.
Processing Note
During processing, folded materials were flattened. Loose photographs that had become detached from the Bruce Hopper and W. H. Minnerly scrapbooks were foldered. Some publications were removed.
Detailed Description of the Collection
-
Description: A
Herbert Anderson
Dates: 1979Container: Box/Folder 1/1 -
Description: B
Paul Barden, Harry Bennett
Dates: 1919-1980Container: Box/Folder 1/2 -
Description: B
Lester Brennan, Ray Bullerdick
Dates: 1918-1980Container: Box/Folder 1/3 -
Description: C
Elmer Cook, Conlin, George Campbell
Dates: 1917-1980Container: Box/Folder 1/4 -
Description: C
James "Pat" Crowe
Dates: 1918Container: Box/Folder 1/5 -
Description: D
William Bardsley Davis
Dates: 1918-1979Container: Box/Folder 1/6 -
Description: F
Robert Fredericks
Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/7 -
Description: G
Cyrus Gatton
Dates: 1933-1979Container: Box/Folder 1/8 -
Description: G
Byron Gates
Dates: 1979Container: Box/Folder 1/9 -
Description: Ben HarwoodDates: circa 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 1/10
-
Description: Ben HarwoodDates: 1918-1919Container: Box/Folder 1/11
-
Description: Ben HarwoodDates: 1918-1978Container: Box/Folder 1/12
-
Description: H
Ben Harwood, Bruce Hopper
Dates: 1978-1980Container: Box/Folder 1/13 -
Description: Bruce Hopper Writings and PublicationsDates: 1939-1948Container: Box/Folder 1/14
-
Description: Bruce Hopper Correspondence and Writings
Writings from Hopper and General Carl Spaatz
Dates: 1925-1962Container: Box/Folder 2/1 -
Description: Bruce Hopper Scrapbook PhotosDates: 1896-1952Container: Box/Folder 2/2
-
Description: J
Howard Johnson
Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 2/3 -
Description: K
John Keltus
Dates: 1917-1979Container: Box/Folder 2/4 -
Description: L
Forest Longeway
Dates: 1917-1918Container: Box/Folder 2/5 -
Description: M
Charles Manson
Dates: 1980Container: Box/Folder 2/6 -
Description: M
George Milburn, Charles Mackenzie
Dates: 1980-1985Container: Box/Folder 2/7 -
Description: W. H. Minnerly Scrapbooks
Two scrapbooks about early aviation in US
Dates: circa 1910sContainer: Box 3 -
Description: W. H. Minnerly Scrapbook Photographs
Loose photos removed from the W. H. Minnerly scrapbooks
Dates: circa 1910sContainer: Box/Folder 2/8 -
Description: Montana Aviators
List of Montana aviators and two photographs
Dates: circa 1980sContainer: Box/Folder 2/9 -
Description: P
Raymond Pitts
Dates: 1918-1979Container: Box/Folder 2/10 -
Description: P
Harry Potter
Dates: 1979Container: Box/Folder 2/11 -
Description: S
Arthur Stephenson, Abe Seeley, James Simpkins
Dates: 1918-1980Container: Box/Folder 2/12 -
Description: S
Hal Wilson Stewart, Cameron Sherry, Don Suhr, Lawson Sanderson
Dates: 1918-1979Container: Box/Folder 2/13 -
Description: Raymond J. SaundersDates: 1979Container: Box/Folder 2/14
-
Description: J. J. SmithDates: 1977Container: Box/Folder 2/15
-
Description: Arthur Stephenson
One photograph
Dates: 1917Container: Box/Folder 2/16 -
Description: T
Julian Terrett
Dates: 1918-1980Container: Box/Folder 2/17 -
Description: U. S. 96th Aero Squadron
17 photographs (most removed from the Minnerly scrapbooks)
Dates: 1917-1918Container: Box/Folder 2/18 -
Description: V
Earl Vance
Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 2/19 -
Description: W
Lawrence Wylie
Dates: 1918-1979Container: Box/Folder 2/20 -
Description: W
Howard Wilson, Arthur Weirick
Dates: 1918-1979Container: Box/Folder 2/21 -
Description: Edward YoungDates: 1918-1980Container: Box/Folder 2/22
-
Description: XYZ
Martin Zollman
Dates: 1997Container: Box/Folder 2/23 -
Description: 669 Aero Squad MemorabiliaDates: circa 1910sContainer: Box/Folder 2/24
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Air pilots, Military--United States--Correspondence
- Bomber pilots--United States--Correspondence
- World War, 1914-1918--Aerial operations, French
Personal Names
- Gordon, Dennis D. (Dennis Douglas), 1943-2025--Archives
- Harwood, Ben--Correspondence
- Hopper, Bruce C. (Bruce Campbell), 1892-1973--Correspondence
Corporate Names
- United States. Army. Air Service. Aero Squadron, 96th
Occupations
- Military historians--Montana--Missoula
