Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
National Smokejumper Association collection, 1919-2022
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- National Smokejumper Association
- Title
- National Smokejumper Association collection
- Dates
- 1919-2022 (inclusive)19192022
- Quantity
- 17.05 linear feet and 16 Megabytes
- Collection Number
- Mss 620
- Summary
- The National Smokejumper Association is an organization dedicated to the preservation of the history of aerial fire management and wildland firefighting. This collection contains reports, correspondence, interviews, personal papers, photographs, films, and publications related to the development of aerial fire management and the activities of smokejumpers.
- 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.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The National Smokejumper Association (NSA) is an organization which preserves and shares the history of aerial fire management and provides a forum for those associated with wildland firefighting. Founded in 1992, the NSA maintains a roster of current and former smokejumpers and actively collects the histories of individuals and organizations associated with the development of smokejumping and aerial fire management.
In addition to furthering the legacy of smokejumping, the NSA works to support current and former smokejumpers as well as the forests and rangelands they protect. The organization offers support to smokejumpers and their families through a scholarship program and a "Good Samaritan Fund," offering financial support to those in need. Additionally, the Trails Restoration and Maintenance Projects, organized by NSA members and staffed by volunteers, clears trails in wilderness areas using volunteer teams. Established in 1999 by Jon McBride and Art Jukkala, the program utilizes the NSA's network of former smokejumpers to clear trails of debris, build fences, and restore structures in national forests and parks.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains reports, correspondence, rosters, personal papers, oral histories, photographs, and moving images documenting the history of aerial fire management. The material in the collection was created by the association itself, by former smokejumpers, or by the U.S. Forest Service. The earliest materials include documentation of the development of parachute jumping during the F Studies – Aerial Control Parachute Jumping experiments of the late 1930s and early 1940s by the U.S. Forest Service. The collection also contains: fire reports from various years including the investigation report for the Mann Gulch fire in Montana (1949); newsletters and magazines published by the National Smokejumper Association; collected interviews, obituaries, and profiles of former and/or pioneer smokejumpers; and numerous magazine and newspaper articles related to the development and history of smokejumping and aerial fire management.
This collection also includes extensive moving image materials. The bulk of these materials are from the documentary Smokejumpers: Firefighters from the Sky (also called The History of Smokejumping: Firefighters from the Sky), produced by Stevan Smith for the National Smokejumper Association. These moving image materials are housed on 8mm, betacam, Mini-DV, VHS, and DVD; they include interviews with smokejumpers and both contemporary and historic footage of fires and training exercises. Additional oral histories conducted by the NSA with current and former smokejumpers are also available in the collection on DVD and many include complete transcripts. Finally, personal papers of individual smokejumpers contribute correspondence, photographs, newsclippings, and the personal journals. Collections related to individual smokejumpers are predominantly from smokejumpers who lived and/or trained in Missoula, Montana.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright of some materials transferred to The University of Montana-Missoula. Please contact Archives and Special Collections for details.
Preferred Citation
[Name of document or photograph number], National Smokejumper Association Records, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
This collection has been divided into seven series:
Series I: National Smokejumper Association Records, 1978-2022, 1.35 linear foot
Subseries 1: Operational Materials, 1978-2010, 0.1 linear feet
Subseries 2: Publications, 1993-2023, 1.25 linear feet
Series II: Smokejumping History, 1919-2009, 2.4 linear feet
Subseries 1: Reports/Handbooks/Manuals, 1940-1994, 0.5 linear feet
Subseries 2: United States Forest Service, 1939-1999, 0.6 linear feet
Subseries 3: General, 1919-2005, 1.3 linear feet
Series III: Smokejumpers, 1938–2005, 0.8 linear feet
Subseries 1: Personal Narratives and Interviews, 1940-2004, 0.3 linear feet
Subseries 2: Collections of Personal Stories, 1990-1995, 0.2 linear feet
Subseries 3: Obituaries, Biographies, and General Information, 1940-2003, 0.2 linear feet
Subseries 4: Photographs, 1949-2005, 0.1 linear feet
Series IV: Miscellaneous Audiovisual, 1939–1940, 1976, 2004, 0.8 linear feet
Series V: Smokejumpers: Firefighters from the Sky Documentary, 1983-2003 and undated, 10.2 linear feet
Subseries 1: Video Log Books, undated, 1.0 linear foot
Subseries 2: Field Tapes and File Tapes, Betacam SP S and L, Corresponding VHS Dubs with Window Code and Rough Edit Tapes, 2000 and undated, 6.0 linear feet
Subseries 3: Other Source Video, DVD, Mini-DV, Betacam SP S, Betacam SP L, and VHS, 1988-2003, 3.3 linear feet
Subseries 4: Video Not Used, 2000, 4 items
Series VI: There I Was! the Smokejumper Storyteller Project Interviews, 2014, 1.0 linear feet
Series VII: Personal Papers of Smokejumpers, 1938-2016, 0.5 linear feet
Subseries 1: Ball, Herman, 1950s, 0.1 linear feet
Subseries 2: Brennan, Robert "Bob," 1938-1942, 0.2 linear feet
Subseries 3: Grenager, Lyle, 1951-1953, 0.1 linear feet
Subseries 4: Kurowski, Ed J., 2016, 0.1 linear feet and 16 Megabytes
Subseries 5: Mathews, Jack, 1986-2001, 0.1 linear feet
Subseries 6: Pickard, Lloyd A. "Chuck," 1946-2005, 0.2 linear feet
Series VIII: Accession 2018-066, 1947-2017, 0.4 linear feet
Custodial History
Prior to the materials coming to Archives and Special Collections, the collection was in the possession of the National Smokejumper Association. Video and video logs in Series V, Smokejumpers: Firefighters from the Sky were held by Stevan Smith until their delivery to the Archives in June 2011. Interviews conducted by John Driscoll for the storytelling series There I Was! were donated by the creator in 2014. National Smokejumper Association Historian Charlie Palmer donated additional Mann Gulch fire photographs in 2016. Personal papers of smokejumpers arrived as donations from their individual creators or from friends and family of the creator.
Acquisition Information
Initial donation was a gift of the National Smokejumper Association Board in 2003.
Future Additions
Additions to this collection are ongoing and will be added by the organization and individual donors.
Processing Note
This collection was originally minimally processed with limited description and rearrangement. In 2016, the majority of the collection was rearranged and redescribed to ease use and access. Copies of the original guide are available at Archives and Special Collections upon request but current folder titles may not reflect the original description. All materials were maintained except oral history transcripts that are already held by the Mansfield Library in OH 133. Photographs were also removed from Bob Brennan's photo album and put in four folders in their original order for preservation purposes.
Related Materials
Eastern Washington University holds meeting minutes and other records of the National Smokejumper Association. Two oral history collections held at the University of Montana's Archives and Special Collections contain approximately 150 oral history interviews with smokejumpers: OH 133, Smokejumper Oral History Project, and OH 163, Civilian Public Service Smokejumpers Oral History Project.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: National Smokejumper Association Records, 1978-2019Return to Top
This series primarily contains copies of the organization’s newsletter, Static Line, and their magazine, Smokejumper Quarterly. It also includes a report of the Long Range Plan of the organization written in 2002 as well as reunion materials.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subseries 1: Operating Materials 0.1 linear feet
This subseries contains reports, memos, correspondence, and reunion materials generated by the
National Smokejumpers Association. There are also negatives of photos from the August
11, 1986 reunion at Camp Paxson at Seeley Lake, Montana, some images are
identified.
|
1978-2010 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/1 | Memos |
1993 |
1/2 | Strategic Plan |
2002 |
1/3 | Correspondence, Smokejumper History Project |
1999-2003 |
1/4 | Reunions, Includes Negatives |
1978-2010 |
Subseries 2: Publications 1.25 linear feet
This subseries contains items published and distributed by the National Smokejumpers Association
including their quarterly magazine, trail maintenance reports, and newsletter.
|
1993-2019 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/5 | National Smokejumper Association Trail Maintenance Reports |
2001-2005 |
1/6 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
1999-2000 |
1/7 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2001 |
1/8 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2002 |
1/9 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2003 |
1/10 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2004 |
1/11 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2005 |
2/1 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2006 |
2/2 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2007 |
2/3 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2008 |
2/4 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2009 |
2/5 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2010 |
2/6 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2011 |
2/7 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2012 |
2/8 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2013 |
2/9 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2014 |
2/10 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2015 |
2/11 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2016 |
2/12 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2017 |
27/1 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2018 |
27/2 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2019 |
27/3 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2020 |
27/4 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2021 |
27/5 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2022 |
27/6 |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
2023 |
electronic_file | ||
Electronic File |
Smokejumper Quarterly
|
1999-2017 |
Box/Folder | ||
3/1 |
Static Line Newsletter |
1994-1998 |
electronic_file | ||
Electronic File |
Static Line Newsletter |
1993-1999 |
Series II: History of Smokejumping, 1910-2009Return to Top
This series contains materials that relate to the history of smokejumping.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subseries 1: Reports/Handbooks/Manuals 0.5 linear feet
This subseries contains materials documenting a range of topics related to aerial fire management. Materials include rosters, regulations, training manuals, and fire reports.
These materials specifically include copies of the investigation of the Mann Gulch fire and the fire investigation report of the South Canyon Fire on Storm King Mountain. Materials are arranged chronologically.
|
1941-1998 | |
Box/Folder | ||
3/2 | Aerial Fire Control Project Region One |
1941 |
3/3 | District #9–Forest Patrol |
1941 |
3/4 | Roster of Forest Service Smokejumpers |
1941 |
3/5 | Smokejumper Project – Region Six |
1943 |
3/6 | Civil Air Regulations |
1945 |
3/7 |
Static Line, Camp Newsletter |
1945 |
3/8 | Roster of Retired Smokejumpers |
1945-1981 |
3/9 | Report of the Board of Review, Mann Gulch Fire |
1949 |
3/10 | Higgins Ridge Fire, Nez Perce National Forest |
1961 |
3/11 | Training Manual Firefighting |
1962 |
3/12 | Annual Reports - Siskiyou Smokejumper Base |
1971-1980 |
3/13 | United States - Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Exchange, Technical Report Smokejumping/Rappelling |
1976 |
3/14 | LOBE Parachute/EAGLE Parachute, Papers by David Gold, SAFE
Symposium |
1981-1982 |
3/15 | Smokejumper Study, Region Six |
1984 |
4/1 | "Mann Gulch Fire: A Race That Couldn’t Be Won," By Richard C. Rothermel |
1993 |
4/2 | Report of South Canyon Fire Investigation |
1994 |
4/3 | Fire Behavior Associated with 1994 South Canyon Fire on Storm King
Mountain, Colorado |
1998 |
Subseries 2: United States Forest Service 0.6 linear feet
This subseries contains materials created by the United States Forest Service about firefighting, smokejumping, and smokejumpers. This subseries
is arranged chronologically.
|
1910-1999 | |
Box/Folder | ||
4/4 | Grave Creek-Trout Creek Fire Report, H.P. Barringer |
1910 |
4/5 | Various Firefighting and Smokejumping Publications |
1912-1945 |
4/6 | History of Smokejumping |
1935-1959 |
4/7 | Aerial Delivery of Supplies |
1939 |
4/8 | Inventory of Photographs |
1939 |
4/9 | Parachute Jumping in Forest Fire Control, Report of Field Experiments |
1939 |
4/10 | F Studies, Aerial Fire Control, Memos and Correspondence |
January 1940-May 1940 |
4/11 | F Studies, Aerial Fire Control, Memos and Correspondence |
June 1940-December 1940 |
4/12 | F Studies, Aerial Fire Control, Memos and Correspondence |
1942-1949 |
4/13 | Fire Control Handbook, Region 6, Part III Suppression |
1949 |
4/14 | Air Operations Handbook, Part 3, Aerial Cargo |
1952 |
4/15 | Specification for Container for Smokejumper Backpack Parachute Canopies |
1957 |
5/1 | Timeline and Narrative for Smokejumpers |
1965 |
5/2 | Press Release, Smokejumper Bases to be Studied |
1984 |
5/3 | C-7 Field Evaluation |
April 1994-October 1994 |
5/4 | FS-14 Parachute Report |
April 6, 1995 |
5/5 | Escape Routes: An Anecdotal Evaluation |
circa 1995 |
5/6 | Aerial Delivered Firefighter Study |
October 20, 1999 |
5/7 | Forest Fire Fundamentals Booklet |
undated |
5/8 | United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Smokejumpers |
undated |
Subseries 3: General 1.3 linear feet
This subseries contains overviews and timelines of smokejumping history. Items include articles, booklets, chronologies, a conference paper, and general histories of
several regional smokejumping stations including the North Cascades Smokejumper Base, the California Smokejumpers and
the Siskiyou smokejumper base. Materials are arranged chronologically.
|
1919-2000 | |
Box/Folder | ||
5/9 | Articles and Clippings |
1919-1989 |
5/10 | Various Publications on Parachutes, Forests, and Fire Prevention |
1930-1943 and undated |
5/11 | Chronology of Aerial Fire Management (Copy from Malcolm Edward Hardy's Masters Thesis) |
1946 |
5/12 | Smokejumper Fatalities |
1946-2000 |
10/1 | Life Magazine Article on Mann Gulch |
1949 |
5/13 | History of Smokejumping Articles |
1940s |
5/14 | Children's Stories |
1940s-1950s |
5/15 | National Geographic |
June 1950 |
5/16 | National Geographic |
June 1952 |
5/17 | National Geographic |
1956 |
5/18 | Articles |
1950s |
5/19 | Newsclippings |
1961 |
10/2 | Seattle Times, Sunday Pictorial, Parachuting to Work, A Smokejumper in Action |
1966 |
5/20 | National Geographic |
July 1968 |
5/21 | Articles |
1960s |
6/1 | Outline History of Siskiyou Smokejumper Project |
1979 |
6/2 | Articles |
1970s |
6/3 | History of Smokejumping by Aviation and Aerial Management |
1980 |
6/4 | National Geographic |
September 1982 |
6/5 | National Geographic |
February 1989 |
6/6 | Articles |
1980s |
6/7 | History of Smokejumping |
1980s |
6/8 | Correspondence including Smokejumping Publications Outline |
January 26, 1994 |
6/9 | The History of California Smokejumpers |
1997 |
6/10 | History of North Cascades Smokejumper Base, By William Moody |
1998 |
6/11 | Articles |
1990s |
6/12 | Articles |
2000s |
6/13 | Articles and Clippings |
undated |
6/14 | Miscellaneous, Movie Posters, Various Publication Titles |
undated |
6/15 | Paper by Bruce Van Voorhis |
undated |
6/16 | Untitled History |
undated |
Series III: Smokejumpers, 1940-2005Return to Top
This series contains materials relating to individual smokejumpers including personal narratives, interviews, biographies, obituaries, and photographs. These materials are arranged alphabetically.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subseries 1: Personal Narratives and Interviews 0.3 linear feet
This subseries contains the personal stories of smokejumpers.
|
1940-2004 | |
Box/Folder | ||
6/17 | Alexander, Jim "Smoky," Recorded by James Budenholzer |
undated |
6/18 | Derry, Frank, Death |
1968 |
6/19 | Dixon, Jerry, "Ten Seconds Over Birch Hill," DVD |
1976-2004 |
6/20 | Heintzelman, Jack, Cave Junction Unit |
1940s |
6/21 | Hicks, Brian C., MSO 95, "The Life of a Lowly Rookie" |
undated |
6/22 | Reid, Bob, MSO 57 |
November 29, 1994 |
6/23 | Rieck, Carroll |
May 10, 1994 |
6/24 | Shank, Hank, MSO 47 |
September 26, 1999 |
6/25 | Stephens, Ronald, Reminiscence, 1947 Water Bomb Project |
2015 |
6/26 | Various Recollections |
1993-1999 |
7/1 | Veersteeg, Harvey, MSO 53, Personal Stories |
2008-2015 |
Subseries 2: Collections of Personal Stories 0.2 linear feet
This subseries contains collections of personal narratives of smokejumpers assembled for
publication and distribution.
|
1990-1995 | |
Box/Folder | ||
7/2 | Civilian Public Service Smokejumpers Life Stories, 1943-1945, Volume 1 |
1990 |
7/3 | Civilian Public Service Smokejumpers Life Stories, 1943-1946, Volume 2 |
1991 |
7/4 | Civilian Public Service Smokejumpers Life Stories, 1943-1945, Volume 3 |
1995 |
7/5 | Static Lines and Canopies: Stories from the Smokejumpers of 1943-1945 |
1993 |
Subseries 3: Obituaries, Biographies, and General Information 0.2 linear feet
This subseries contains obituaries, biographies, and other general information about former smokejumpers including newspaper clippings and articles. These materials are arranged
alphabetically.
|
1940-2003 | |
Box/Folder | ||
7/6 | Burke, Wilbur "Mick," Funeral Program, Smokejumping Photographs |
2000 and undated |
7/7 | Burton, Ira, Obituary |
2003 |
7/8 | Information Summaries, Astronaut Fact Book |
1997 |
7/9 | Liston, David, Clipping |
2000 |
7/10 | Lycklama, Lester, Background Provided by John P. Ferguson |
February 18, 1989 |
7/11 | McPike, H. Roger, Obituary, Photograph, Resume |
1998 and undated |
7/12 | Pilots, Various Materials |
1996-1997 |
7/13 | Region 4, Various |
1940s |
7/14 | Rumsey, Walter, Biography |
1997 |
7/15 | Search for K. Reed Harrison |
December 9, 1993 |
7/16 | Sisler, George K., Congressional Medal of Honor |
undated |
7/17 | Smith, Kenneth Roy, Obituary |
August 1997 |
7/18 | Unsoeld, Willi, Biography, Photographs |
undated |
7/19 | Who's Who in Region 4 Smokejumping: 1943-1997 |
1998 |
Subseries 4: Photographs 0.1 linear feet
This subseries contains photographs of various smokejumpers and their equipment. These materials are arranged chronologically.
|
1949–2005 | |
Box/Folder | ||
7/20 | Mann Gulch Recovery Crew, Photographs and Negatives |
1949 |
7/21 | Unit at Cave Junction |
1949-1956 |
7/22 | Summerfield, Ed, Smokejumpers Gear |
1950 |
7/23 | Lewis, John S. |
1950s |
7/24 | Public Civil Service Photographs from the 1940s |
1999 |
7/25 | Storm King Fireline, Guntar Dambro |
2000s |
Series IV: Miscellaneous Audiovisual, 1939–1940, 1976, 1998, 2004Return to Top
This series contains various audiovisual materials including Wilderness Survival Tapes, photos transferred to CD.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
8/1 | Wilderness Survival Videotapes |
1998 |
9/1 | Photos on CD, North Cascades Smokejumper Base Honored at Seattle Mariner Game |
Sept. 2004 |
9/2 | Photos on CD, North Cascades Smokejumper Base and National Forest Service Archives |
undated |
9/3 | Wilderness Warriors Smokejumpers, ESPN (21 min version), 1 Broadcast Videocassette |
1989 |
9/4 | Forest Service Experimental Smokejumper Project, Intercity Airport, Winthrop, WA, Film by Ferd
Haase |
1939 – 1940 Smokejumpers, 1 reel of film, and 1 master DVD copy and 1 DVD use copy of the film created by Photo Magic Video Productions in 2006 |
9/5 | Computers Disks, unidentified |
undated |
10/1 | William Moody, U.S. – U.S.S.R. Exchange Jump, 1 reel of film |
1976, and 1 master DVD copy and 1 DVD use copy of the film created by Photo Magic Video Productions in 2006 |
Series V: Smokejumpers: Firefighters from the Sky , 1983-2003 and undatedReturn to Top
This series consists of video components and detailed video logs from the documentary Smokejumpers: Firefighters from the Sky (also called The History of Smokejumping: Firefighters from the Sky) produced by Stevan Smith for the National Smokejumper Association. Raw footage includes interviews with smokejumpers and video logs include complete transcripts of these interviews.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subseries 1 : Video Log books 1.0 linear feet
This subseries contains video logs that include transcripts of interviews and brief descriptions of raw footage with timecodes from the making of Smokejumpers: Firefighters from the Sky.
|
undated | |
Box | ||
11 | Video log book, part one |
undated |
11 | Video log book, part two |
undated |
11 | Video log book, part three |
undated |
11 | Final edit log book including credit notes |
undated |
Subseries 2 : Field tapes and File tapes, Masters on Betacam SP S
and L, Corresponding VHS Dubs with Window Code and Rough Edit Tapes 6.0 linear feet
This subseries contains raw footage on betacam and VHS dubs of the originals, log books in previous subseries provide an index to the materials from the making of Smokejumpers: Firefighters from the Sky.
|
2000 and undated | |
Box | ||
12 | Field tapes 1-39, no tape #16, Betacam SP S |
undated |
13 | Field tapes 40-79, Betacam SP S |
undated |
14 | Field tapes 80-119, Betacam SP S |
undated |
15 | Field tapes 120-159, Betacam SP S |
undated |
16 | Field tapes 160-163, Betacam SP S |
undated |
16 | File tapes 1-36, Betacam SP S |
undated |
17 | File tapes 27-31 and 33, Betacam SP L |
undated |
20 | 27 VHS Dubs with Window Code for Editing |
undated |
20 | 1 Review/Progress Tape Labeled #1 NSA Smokejumper Footage,
VHS |
2000 |
20 | 2 Review/Progress Rough Edit Tapes Labeled #1 NSA Jump/Fire Footage,
VHS |
2000 |
20 | 2 Review/Progress Rough Edit Tapes Labeled "Smokejumpers: Firefighters
from the Sky," Part 1 and 2, VHS |
2000 |
Subseries 3: Other Source Video, DVD, Mini-DV, Betacam SP S, Betacam SP L, and VHS
3.3 linear feet
This subseries contains additional source videos for Smokejumpers: Firefighters from the Sky not included in the log books from Subseries 1 including various interview duplicates on DVD.
|
1988-2003 and undated | |
Box | ||
17 | Redmond Fire, Mini-DV |
undated |
17 | Missoula Rookie #1 and #2, Mini-DVs |
undated |
17 | 3 Alaska Fires, Mini-DVs |
undated |
17 | Jack the Ripper Fire, Mini-DV |
undated |
17 | HIPKE Footage, tape 1 of 2 (no 2nd tape), Mini-DV |
2000-2002 |
17 | HIPKE Summer, Tapes 1,2, and 3, Mini-DVs |
1998 |
17 | Fire, Mini-DV |
undated |
17 | Smokejumping, Mini-DV |
undated |
17 | Pin Fire, 3 man, Mini-DV |
undated |
17 | Smokejumper-MSO, Mini-DV |
undated |
17 | BLM - Exits, Mini-DV |
undated |
17 | Mann Gulch 50th, Mini-DV |
undated |
17 | 13 Betacam compilation copy reels of Mini-DVs, Betacam SP S and
L |
undated |
18 | 3 Betacam reels "Smokejumper Pilot" shot by Missoula Technology
Development Center, USDA Forest Service, Betacam SP S |
undated |
18 | 4 Betacam reels "Smokejumper Spotter" shot by Missoula Technology
Development Center, USDA Forest Service, Betacam SP S |
undated |
18 | 1939 Experimental Jumps, 3/4" cassette |
undated |
18 | Bobby Montoya - Idaho City and Gila, Les Peppard, Betacam SP
L |
undated |
18 | Bill Poppy's, Betacam SP L |
undated |
18 | Eric Hipke - South Canyon, Betacam SP L |
undated |
18 | Jack the Ripper Fire, Tony Petrelli jump footage, Betacam SP
L |
undated |
18 | Sawmill Saddle Fire, Betacam SP L |
undated |
18 | Mann Gulch 50th, Betacam SP L |
undated |
18 | Allen Bell Footage, Part 1, Betacam SP L |
undated |
18 | Allen Bell Footage, Part 2, Betacam SP S |
undated |
18 | Hipke 99, Betacam SP S |
undated |
18 | Interview with Secretary of Interior, Bruce Babbit, Betacam SP
S |
undated |
18 | NCSB Memorial, Betacam SP S |
2003 |
18 | SJ 8 Mile Ridge Crash, Betacam SP S |
2003 |
18 | Ghalor - Early Smokejumpers, Betacam SP S |
undated |
18 | Storm Warning, Sonny Archuleta Concludes, Tony Petrilli, Betacam SP
S |
undated |
18 | A, Pick-up Shots, Betacam SP S |
undated |
18 | B, MSO Water Bomb Stills, Betacam SP S |
undated |
18 | C, Son of Pickups, Betacam SP S |
undated |
18 | D, Daughter of Pickups, Betacam SP S |
undated |
19 | U.S. Invasions- Japanese Incendiary Balloons, VHS |
undated |
19 | Allen Bell, BLM-Hollywood, VHS |
undated |
19 | Smokejumper training, Missoula, transfer from 8mm, VHS |
1952 |
19 | Smokejumpers, VHS |
undated |
19 | Caribou, VHS |
undated |
19 | Early Jumps with Eagle Parachute - rip cord, VHS |
undated |
19 | Boise Jump Season Highlights, VHS |
1999 |
19 | Hipke Fire Video, VHS |
1998 |
19 | International Crown Fire Modeling Experiments, Northwest Territories,
VHS |
1997 |
19 | World Fires Victoria, Where the Fire Meets the People, VHS |
undated |
19 | 3 tapes of conscientious objectors discussing their time as
smokejumpers during WWII, labeled MCAT 122380, 122411, and 122412 , SVHS |
undated |
19 | Telephone Creek: 1950 Smokejumper Documentary, VHS |
undated |
19 | Storm King Mountain Technologies: Developments in Fire Shelters,
VHS |
undated |
19 | Season of Fire, Idaho Public Television, VHS |
undated |
19 | Fire Line, Idaho Public Television, VHS |
undated |
19 | Fire Wars, Nova, PBS, VHS |
undated |
19 | 1988 Yellowstone Fires, VHS |
1988 |
22 | DVD #1 - Interviews with Marge Kuehn-Tabor, Chuck Flack, and Jim Veitch |
undated |
22 | DVD #2 - Interviews with Mike McMillan, Rod Dow, and Burt Mitman |
undated |
22 | DVD #3 - Interviews with Murry Taylor, Dewey Warner, and Mark Corbet |
undated |
22 | DVD #4 - Interviews with David "Skinny" Beals and Dave Nani |
undated |
22 | DVD #5 - Interviews with Richard Tracy, Lynn Sprague, Robert Kersh, and Cathleen Lowe |
undated |
22 | DVD #6 - Interview with Elmer Neufeld |
undated |
22 | DVD #7 - Interview with Eric Hipke |
undated |
22 | DVD #8 - Interviews with Steve Nemore and Phil and Jake Brollier |
undated |
22 | DVD #9 - Interviews with Neal Hitchcock, Roy Johnson, Rusty Warbiss, Roy Wenger, and Bruce Babbitt |
undated |
22 | DVD #10 - Interviews with Gary "Gramps" Johnson, Jerry Zumwalt, and Gene Hobbs |
undated |
22 | DVD #11 - Interviews with George Cross, Bob Nicol, and Stewart "Lloyd" Johnson |
undated |
22 | DVD #12 - Interviews with Rob and Karen Morrow, Gregg Anderson, and Tony Petrilli |
undated |
22 | DVD #13 - Interview with Wayne Webb |
undated |
22 | DVD #14 - Interview with "Wild" Bill Yensen |
undated |
Subseries 4 : Video Not Used 4 items
This subseries contains film collected but not used in the making of Smokejumpers: Firefighters from the Sky.
|
2000 | |
Box | ||
19 | Up in Flames, Forest History Society documentary, Betacam SP S and VHS
dub |
undated |
19 | Escape: Fire in Mann Gulch, VHS |
2000 |
19 | The Rockies, VHS |
2000 |
Subseries 5: Miscellaneous Papers 0.2 linear feet
This subseries contains research and contracts related to the making of Smokejumpers: Firefighters from the Sky.
|
1983-2003 and undated | |
Box/Folder | ||
21/1 | Contracts and correspondence |
1999-2003 |
21/2 | Research |
undated |
21/3 |
A Pictorial History of Smokejumping by Stan Cohen |
1983 |
21/4 | Newsclippings |
2001 and undated |
21/5 | Videocassette Case Artwork |
undated |
Series VI: There I Was! the Smokejumper Storyteller Project Interviews, 2014Return to Top
This series contains interviews of smokejumpers for the There I Was! project conducted by John Driscoll.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
23 | Smokejumper Oral Histories Collected in 2014, Binder, Includes Interview
Summaries and Releases |
2014 |
Series VII: Personal Papers of Smokejumpers, 1938-2016Return to Top
This series contains personal papers of former smokejumpers.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subseries 1: Ball, Herman 0.1 linear feet
Herman Ball was a smokejumper who jumped the 1950 and 1951 seasons in Missoula. He was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency for their operations in Taiwan;
he and other smokejumpers trained Chinese nationalist troops in survival tactics and parachuting. This subseries contains photographs of Ball's activities in Taiwan in the 1950s as well as a photograph of Marana Army Air Field in Arizona, a CIA base of operations during the Vietnam War.
|
1950s | |
Box/Folder | ||
24/1 | Photographs, Training Nationalist Troops, Western Enterprises, Inc., Taiwan, Taipei Guest House, Marana Army Air Field |
1950s |
Subseries 2: Brennan, Robert (Bob) 0.2 linear feet
Robert J. Brennan was a pioneer smokejumper in the summer of 1941. This collection contains photographs, journals, and a jump log from the Nine Mile camp in western Montana as well as journals from Brennan's previous Forest Service posts.
|
1938-1942 | |
Box/Folder | ||
24/2 | Journals |
1938-1942 |
24/3 | Jump Log |
1941 |
24/4 | Photographs, Part 1 of 4 |
1941-1942 |
24/5 | Photographs, Part 2 of 4 |
1941-1942 |
24/6 | Photographs, Part 3 of 4 |
1941-1942 |
24/7 | Photographs, Part 4 of 4 |
1941-1942 |
24/8 | NSA Bumper Sticker and Membership Card |
1941 and undated |
24/9 | Photographs and Slides |
1940s |
24/10 | Oral History |
undated |
Subseries 3: Grenager, Lyle 0.1 linear feet
Lyle Grenager was a smokejumper out of Missoula, Montana from 1946 to 1951. He was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency in 1951 to assist with their covert operations in Taiwan to train a resistance force of Nationalist Chinese troops. This subseries includes photos from
Grenager's time in Taiwan including playing on the basketball team for the CIA's front company, Western Enterprises, Inc., and meeting the president of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek.
|
1951-1954 | |
Box/Folder | ||
24/11 | Photographs, CIA Activities in Taiwan and China, Western Enterprises, Inc., Lou Rucker |
1951-1952 |
24/12 | Photographs, Chinese National Basketball Team Versus Western Enterprises, Inc. |
1952 |
24/13 | Photographs, Chiang Kai-shek, Soong Mei-ling, Herman Ball, Lou Rucker |
July 11, 1953 |
24/14 | Portrait of Lou Rucker Lou Rucker was head of the parachute training program in Taiwan. A former colonel in the U.S. Army, he was also Lyle Grenager's roommate at the Taipei Guest House, the first headquarters for CIA operations in Taiwan.
|
1950s |
Subseries 4: Kurowski, Ed J. 0.1 linear feet and 16 Megabytes
Ed J. Kurowski was a smokejumper who jumped his rookie season in Missoula, Montana in the summer of 1961. Kurowski was from Green Bay, Wisconsin and studied forest engineering at the University of Wisconsin. This subseries contains
the collective memoir of many smokejumpers who rookied in 1961 in Missoula, Montana; Ed Kurowski compiled, edited, and authored the memoir.
|
2016 | |
Box/Folder | ||
25/1 | The Way We Were: 1961 |
2016 |
electronic_file | ||
Electronic File |
The Way We Were: 1961 This is an electronic version of Kurowski's memoir, please contact Archives and Special Collections for additional information.
|
2016 |
Subseries 5: Mathews, Jack 0.1 linear feet
Jack Mathews was a smokejumper in Missoula, Montana in the summer of 1948. He was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency and spent his entire career with them. This subseries contains correspondence written by Mathews concerning various aspects of his service as a military advisor in Laos in the late 1950s, clippings of an article he wrote,
photographs, and various other correspondence and notes. There is also a detailed letter he wrote to John MacLean about his article on the smokejumpers at Mann Gulch.
|
1986-2001 | |
Box/Folder | ||
24/15 | Correspondence and Background Information |
1986-2001 |
Subseries 6: Pickard, Lloyd A. "Chuck" 0.2 linear feet
Lloyd A. "Chuck" Pickard was a smokejumper in Missoula, Montana who trained in the summer of 1948. He was a squadleader out of Nine Mile in the summer of 1949 and was supposed to jump on the
Mann Gulch fire near Helena, Montana, but traded places with Bill Hellman. This subseries includes photographs, Mann Gulch research materials, materials collected by Jack Mathews, and smokejumper reunion materials.
|
1948-2005 | |
Box/Folder | ||
24/16 | Correspondence, National Smokejumper Association Business, Museum of Mountain Flying |
2003-2005 |
24/17 | Earl Cooley Letter to Francis Anywaush |
May 26, 1987 |
24/18 | Mann Gulch Articles |
1949-1993 |
24/19 | Mann Gulch Newspaper Clippings |
1949-2003 |
24/20 | National Parachute Jumpers-Riggers Card, Region 1 Signals Card, Smoke Jumpers Athletic Fund Dance |
1950 |
24/21 | Philip McVey Materials Collected by Jack Mathews |
1986-1999 |
24/22 | Photograph, Chuck Pickard in Police Uniform with Fred Barnowsky, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
circa 1952 |
24/23 | Photographs, Mann Gulch |
2003-2005 |
24/24 | Photographs, Mann Gulch Memorial, National Wildland Firefighter Memorial, From Jerry Linton |
May 8, 1991 |
24/25 | Photographs, Missoula, Skydiving |
1949-1950 |
24/26 | Photographs, Smokejumpers, Montana, Idaho |
1948-1953 |
24/27 | Photographs and Articles, Priest River, Coolin Ranger Station, Idaho |
1946-1947 |
24/28 | Photographs and Letter, Smokejumper Reunions |
1984-2004 |
24/29 | Photographs and Reproductions, Nine Mile, Training |
1948-1950 |
24/30 | Reminiscence of Mann Gulch Events |
1999 |
24/31 | Smokejumping and Smokejumper Reunion Ephemera |
1999-2004 and undated |
Series VIII: Accession 2018-066, 1947-2017Return to Top
This series contains folders of material by or about fifteen smokejumpers. All folders include a 'submittal form' documenting contents and providing context. The materials were compiled and donated for inclusion in the NSA collection by John Driscoll. Driscoll has indicated jump years and base on each folder.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
file | ||
26/1 | Ray G. Beasley reproduction of photo of Beasley and his wife, Jane, at CIA Headquarters. Invitation to CIA Museum ceremony, 2014.
|
2014 |
26/2 | Bob Benzie Map indicating single fire jump of Benzie in 1956. Database printout documenting his activity.
|
undated |
26/3 | Walt E. Currie Three photographs by Driscoll of MSO Alaska Booster Crew, including Currie, 1978
|
1978 |
26/4 | John Brian Driscoll Smokejumper patch from 1968 fire season. Signed copy of book: Smokejumpers of the CIA. Color slides dated 1977, identified as "fire season out of Missoula Fire Depot." Photographs identified as "unknown jumpers exiting DC-3, probably NW of Missoula in 1968."
|
1968-2017 |
26/5 | Lester E. Gahler DVD: Leap of Faith: CO Smokejumping During World War II. DVD description states: Includes video footage by former CO Smokejumper Lester Gahler.
|
undated |
26/6 | Clarence Douglas Getz Reproductions of photographs. One identified as Silver City Fire Crew either 1959 or 1960. Others identified as "we think this is the Grangeville Fire Crew."
|
undated |
26/7 | Gary W. Grandquist photograph: "10 man Volpar load out of McGrath headed for Canadian boarder." Photo by John Driscoll.
|
1978 |
26/8 | Lyle D. Grenager Typewritten notes by Driscoll of interview with Grenager. Typescript of article printed in June 25, 2004 "Clark Fork Chronicle."
|
2015 |
26/9 | George King undated photographs: Old Hale Field, first civilian helicopters, ford tri-motor dropping cargo, smokejumper training at Nine Mile. Castle Creek crew (1948).
|
1948 and undated |
26/10 | Fred Koons photos of Fred Koons and George King, and possibly Jerry Linton.
|
1948 |
26/11 | Gerald J. Linton photocopies of photographs in other folders in this series.
|
1948 |
26/11 | Philip R. McVey original and copy photographs - McVey at Castle Creek on Middle Fork of Clearwater.
|
1948 |
26/12 | Avery J. "Jack" Nott original photographs - Pattee Canyon Jump for 20th Century Fox, 1950; Marble Canyon, Arizona jump; Nott and Johnson pilot Larry Florek; unidentified jumpers, planes, and equipment.
|
1950 and undated |
26/13 | Richard A. Peterson Privately published book: Richard Arnold Peterson and Eve Ridgely Chapline Peterson.
|
2013 |
26/14 | Glenn Smith photograph of Skeezeck and Smitty, 1949. Smith in truck, undated.
|
1949 and undated |
26/15 | Robert H. Sprute Bound memoir: Smokejumpers, Aerial Firefighters of the West. The Way We Were, 1961. A collection memoir [by] Ed. J. Kurowski. Clipping. Database printout of jumps.
|
1949 and undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Aeronautics in forest fire control--United States--History
- Mann Gulch Fire, Mont., 1949
- Parachuting--United States--History
- Smokejumpers--United States
- Smokejumping--United States--History
Corporate Names
- United States. Forest Service