{"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Baccess_subjects%5D%5B%5D=Science+and+Technology\u0026f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=George+William+Christopher+Papers","last":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Baccess_subjects%5D%5B%5D=Science+and+Technology\u0026f%5Bcollection%5D%5B%5D=George+William+Christopher+Papers\u0026page=1"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":1,"next_page":null,"prev_page":null,"total_pages":1,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":0,"total_count":1,"first_page?":true,"last_page?":true}},"data":[{"id":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_1840","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"George William Christopher Papers","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/viblbv_repositories_2_resources_1840#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Christopher, George William, 1908-2002","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/viblbv_repositories_2_resources_1840#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"This collection includes an autobiographical memoir titled \u003cem\u003ePioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life\u003c/em\u003e by George William Christopher, a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle area in 1930s and a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II and post-war period. Also includes an outline for an article drawn from the book and a newspaper clipping about Christopher being awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in Italy.","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/viblbv_repositories_2_resources_1840#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_1840","ead_ssi":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_1840","_root_":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_1840","_nest_parent_":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_1840","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VT/repositories_2_resources_1840.xml","title_filing_ssi":"Christopher, George William, Papers","title_ssm":["George William Christopher Papers"],"title_tesim":["George William Christopher Papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1961-1991"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1961-1991"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["Ms.1991.031"],"text":["Ms.1991.031","George William Christopher Papers","Archives of American Aerospace Exploration (AAAE)","Science and Technology","Air pilots","The collection is open for research.","George William Christopher (1908-2002) was born to Van B. and Laura Gilliland Christopher in Texhoma, Oklahoma, on September 17, 1908. The younger Christopher later moved with his family to southern Kansas and the Texas panhandle, where he worked variously as a fireman, mechanic, and electrician. ","In 1933, Christopher purchased a Waco 10 biplane, and the following year, he became a professional flight instructor. Through the 1930s, Christopher continued work as a flight instructor and also barnstormed throughout the area. During World War II, he instructed air cadets at Love Field (Dallas, Texas) before joining the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) in Santa Monica, California, as an engineering test pilot, then went on active duty as a reserve officer with the Army Air Forces. From 1947 until his retirement, Christopher served as a regular officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was awarded numerous medals and honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Korean War, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal while serving with Allied Air Forces, Southern Europe, a NATO command in Naples, Italy. ","In 1941, Christopher married Geneva Weatherspoon (1907-1994), and the couple had one child. Following Christopher's retirement from the U. S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, the Christophers lived in El Paso, Texas.  George William Christopher died on April 22, 2002 and was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, Texas. ","The guide to the George William Christopher Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).","The processing, arrangement, and description of the George William Christopher Papers was completed in September 2013.","This collection contains the papers of George William Christopher, a pilot who worked as a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle region in the 1930s, then served with the U. S. Air Force during World War II and the post-war period. The collection includes a copy of Christopher's autobiographical memoir  Pioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life . The collection also contains an outline for an article proposed by Christopher for  American Aviation Historical Society Journal , to be titled \"Flying in the Thirties in Texas,\" and a newspaper clipping about Christopher receiving the Air Force Commendation Medal.","A second copy of Christopher's memoir was separated to the Rare Book Collection.","The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. ","Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.","This collection includes an autobiographical memoir titled  Pioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life  by George William Christopher, a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle area in 1930s and a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II and post-war period. Also includes an outline for an article drawn from the book and a newspaper clipping about Christopher being awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in Italy.","Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech","Christopher, George William, 1908-2002","The materials in the collection are in English."],"unitid_tesim":["Ms.1991.031"],"normalized_title_ssm":["George William Christopher Papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["George William Christopher Papers"],"collection_ssim":["George William Christopher Papers"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"],"creator_ssm":["Christopher, George William, 1908-2002"],"creator_ssim":["Christopher, George William, 1908-2002"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Christopher, George William, 1908-2002"],"creators_ssim":["Christopher, George William, 1908-2002"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. ","Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form."],"acqinfo_ssim":["The George William Christopher Papers were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1991."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Archives of American Aerospace Exploration (AAAE)","Science and Technology","Air pilots"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Archives of American Aerospace Exploration (AAAE)","Science and Technology","Air pilots"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder"],"extent_tesim":["0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder"],"date_range_isim":[1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is open for research.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["The collection is open for research."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eGeorge William Christopher (1908-2002) was born to Van B. and Laura Gilliland Christopher in Texhoma, Oklahoma, on September 17, 1908. The younger Christopher later moved with his family to southern Kansas and the Texas panhandle, where he worked variously as a fireman, mechanic, and electrician. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn 1933, Christopher purchased a Waco 10 biplane, and the following year, he became a professional flight instructor. Through the 1930s, Christopher continued work as a flight instructor and also barnstormed throughout the area. During World War II, he instructed air cadets at Love Field (Dallas, Texas) before joining the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) in Santa Monica, California, as an engineering test pilot, then went on active duty as a reserve officer with the Army Air Forces. From 1947 until his retirement, Christopher served as a regular officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was awarded numerous medals and honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Korean War, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal while serving with Allied Air Forces, Southern Europe, a NATO command in Naples, Italy. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn 1941, Christopher married Geneva Weatherspoon (1907-1994), and the couple had one child. Following Christopher's retirement from the U. S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, the Christophers lived in El Paso, Texas.  George William Christopher died on April 22, 2002 and was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, Texas. \u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical Note"],"bioghist_tesim":["George William Christopher (1908-2002) was born to Van B. and Laura Gilliland Christopher in Texhoma, Oklahoma, on September 17, 1908. The younger Christopher later moved with his family to southern Kansas and the Texas panhandle, where he worked variously as a fireman, mechanic, and electrician. ","In 1933, Christopher purchased a Waco 10 biplane, and the following year, he became a professional flight instructor. Through the 1930s, Christopher continued work as a flight instructor and also barnstormed throughout the area. During World War II, he instructed air cadets at Love Field (Dallas, Texas) before joining the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) in Santa Monica, California, as an engineering test pilot, then went on active duty as a reserve officer with the Army Air Forces. From 1947 until his retirement, Christopher served as a regular officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was awarded numerous medals and honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Korean War, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal while serving with Allied Air Forces, Southern Europe, a NATO command in Naples, Italy. ","In 1941, Christopher married Geneva Weatherspoon (1907-1994), and the couple had one child. Following Christopher's retirement from the U. S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, the Christophers lived in El Paso, Texas.  George William Christopher died on April 22, 2002 and was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, Texas. "],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe guide to the George William Christopher Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (\u003ca href=\"https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/\"\u003ehttps://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/\u003c/a\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Rights Statement for Archival Description"],"odd_tesim":["The guide to the George William Christopher Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ )."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eResearchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], George William Christopher Papers, Ms1991-031, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], George William Christopher Papers, Ms1991-031, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe processing, arrangement, and description of the George William Christopher Papers was completed in September 2013.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["The processing, arrangement, and description of the George William Christopher Papers was completed in September 2013."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection contains the papers of George William Christopher, a pilot who worked as a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle region in the 1930s, then served with the U. S. Air Force during World War II and the post-war period. The collection includes a copy of Christopher's autobiographical memoir \u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003ePioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life\u003c/title\u003e. The collection also contains an outline for an article proposed by Christopher for \u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eAmerican Aviation Historical Society Journal\u003c/title\u003e, to be titled \"Flying in the Thirties in Texas,\" and a newspaper clipping about Christopher receiving the Air Force Commendation Medal.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection contains the papers of George William Christopher, a pilot who worked as a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle region in the 1930s, then served with the U. S. Air Force during World War II and the post-war period. The collection includes a copy of Christopher's autobiographical memoir  Pioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life . The collection also contains an outline for an article proposed by Christopher for  American Aviation Historical Society Journal , to be titled \"Flying in the Thirties in Texas,\" and a newspaper clipping about Christopher receiving the Air Force Commendation Medal."],"separatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eA second copy of Christopher's memoir was separated to the Rare Book Collection.\u003c/p\u003e"],"separatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Separated Materials"],"separatedmaterial_tesim":["A second copy of Christopher's memoir was separated to the Rare Book Collection."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eReproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly/scuareproduction\"\u003ehttp://bit.ly/scuareproduction\u003c/a\u003e. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly/scuapublication\"\u003ehttp://bit.ly/scuapublication\u003c/a\u003e. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. ","Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_c0d7e9ae93bb64a11953442e5db306a9\" label=\"Abstract\"\u003eThis collection includes an autobiographical memoir titled \u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003ePioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life\u003c/title\u003e by George William Christopher, a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle area in 1930s and a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II and post-war period. Also includes an outline for an article drawn from the book and a newspaper clipping about Christopher being awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in Italy.\u003c/abstract\u003e"],"abstract_tesim":["This collection includes an autobiographical memoir titled  Pioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life  by George William Christopher, a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle area in 1930s and a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II and post-war period. Also includes an outline for an article drawn from the book and a newspaper clipping about Christopher being awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in Italy."],"names_ssim":["Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech","Christopher, George William, 1908-2002"],"corpname_ssim":["Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech"],"persname_ssim":["Christopher, George William, 1908-2002"],"language_ssim":["The materials in the collection are in English."],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":5,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-04-30T23:37:40.934Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_1840","ead_ssi":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_1840","_root_":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_1840","_nest_parent_":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_1840","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VT/repositories_2_resources_1840.xml","title_filing_ssi":"Christopher, George William, Papers","title_ssm":["George William Christopher Papers"],"title_tesim":["George William Christopher Papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1961-1991"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1961-1991"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["Ms.1991.031"],"text":["Ms.1991.031","George William Christopher Papers","Archives of American Aerospace Exploration (AAAE)","Science and Technology","Air pilots","The collection is open for research.","George William Christopher (1908-2002) was born to Van B. and Laura Gilliland Christopher in Texhoma, Oklahoma, on September 17, 1908. The younger Christopher later moved with his family to southern Kansas and the Texas panhandle, where he worked variously as a fireman, mechanic, and electrician. ","In 1933, Christopher purchased a Waco 10 biplane, and the following year, he became a professional flight instructor. Through the 1930s, Christopher continued work as a flight instructor and also barnstormed throughout the area. During World War II, he instructed air cadets at Love Field (Dallas, Texas) before joining the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) in Santa Monica, California, as an engineering test pilot, then went on active duty as a reserve officer with the Army Air Forces. From 1947 until his retirement, Christopher served as a regular officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was awarded numerous medals and honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Korean War, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal while serving with Allied Air Forces, Southern Europe, a NATO command in Naples, Italy. ","In 1941, Christopher married Geneva Weatherspoon (1907-1994), and the couple had one child. Following Christopher's retirement from the U. S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, the Christophers lived in El Paso, Texas.  George William Christopher died on April 22, 2002 and was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, Texas. ","The guide to the George William Christopher Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).","The processing, arrangement, and description of the George William Christopher Papers was completed in September 2013.","This collection contains the papers of George William Christopher, a pilot who worked as a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle region in the 1930s, then served with the U. S. Air Force during World War II and the post-war period. The collection includes a copy of Christopher's autobiographical memoir  Pioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life . The collection also contains an outline for an article proposed by Christopher for  American Aviation Historical Society Journal , to be titled \"Flying in the Thirties in Texas,\" and a newspaper clipping about Christopher receiving the Air Force Commendation Medal.","A second copy of Christopher's memoir was separated to the Rare Book Collection.","The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. ","Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.","This collection includes an autobiographical memoir titled  Pioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life  by George William Christopher, a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle area in 1930s and a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II and post-war period. Also includes an outline for an article drawn from the book and a newspaper clipping about Christopher being awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in Italy.","Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech","Christopher, George William, 1908-2002","The materials in the collection are in English."],"unitid_tesim":["Ms.1991.031"],"normalized_title_ssm":["George William Christopher Papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["George William Christopher Papers"],"collection_ssim":["George William Christopher Papers"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"],"creator_ssm":["Christopher, George William, 1908-2002"],"creator_ssim":["Christopher, George William, 1908-2002"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Christopher, George William, 1908-2002"],"creators_ssim":["Christopher, George William, 1908-2002"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. ","Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form."],"acqinfo_ssim":["The George William Christopher Papers were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1991."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Archives of American Aerospace Exploration (AAAE)","Science and Technology","Air pilots"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Archives of American Aerospace Exploration (AAAE)","Science and Technology","Air pilots"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder"],"extent_tesim":["0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder"],"date_range_isim":[1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is open for research.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["The collection is open for research."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eGeorge William Christopher (1908-2002) was born to Van B. and Laura Gilliland Christopher in Texhoma, Oklahoma, on September 17, 1908. The younger Christopher later moved with his family to southern Kansas and the Texas panhandle, where he worked variously as a fireman, mechanic, and electrician. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn 1933, Christopher purchased a Waco 10 biplane, and the following year, he became a professional flight instructor. Through the 1930s, Christopher continued work as a flight instructor and also barnstormed throughout the area. During World War II, he instructed air cadets at Love Field (Dallas, Texas) before joining the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) in Santa Monica, California, as an engineering test pilot, then went on active duty as a reserve officer with the Army Air Forces. From 1947 until his retirement, Christopher served as a regular officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was awarded numerous medals and honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Korean War, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal while serving with Allied Air Forces, Southern Europe, a NATO command in Naples, Italy. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn 1941, Christopher married Geneva Weatherspoon (1907-1994), and the couple had one child. Following Christopher's retirement from the U. S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, the Christophers lived in El Paso, Texas.  George William Christopher died on April 22, 2002 and was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, Texas. \u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical Note"],"bioghist_tesim":["George William Christopher (1908-2002) was born to Van B. and Laura Gilliland Christopher in Texhoma, Oklahoma, on September 17, 1908. The younger Christopher later moved with his family to southern Kansas and the Texas panhandle, where he worked variously as a fireman, mechanic, and electrician. ","In 1933, Christopher purchased a Waco 10 biplane, and the following year, he became a professional flight instructor. Through the 1930s, Christopher continued work as a flight instructor and also barnstormed throughout the area. During World War II, he instructed air cadets at Love Field (Dallas, Texas) before joining the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) in Santa Monica, California, as an engineering test pilot, then went on active duty as a reserve officer with the Army Air Forces. From 1947 until his retirement, Christopher served as a regular officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was awarded numerous medals and honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Korean War, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal while serving with Allied Air Forces, Southern Europe, a NATO command in Naples, Italy. ","In 1941, Christopher married Geneva Weatherspoon (1907-1994), and the couple had one child. Following Christopher's retirement from the U. S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, the Christophers lived in El Paso, Texas.  George William Christopher died on April 22, 2002 and was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, Texas. "],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe guide to the George William Christopher Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (\u003ca href=\"https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/\"\u003ehttps://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/\u003c/a\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Rights Statement for Archival Description"],"odd_tesim":["The guide to the George William Christopher Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ )."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eResearchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], George William Christopher Papers, Ms1991-031, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], George William Christopher Papers, Ms1991-031, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe processing, arrangement, and description of the George William Christopher Papers was completed in September 2013.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["The processing, arrangement, and description of the George William Christopher Papers was completed in September 2013."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection contains the papers of George William Christopher, a pilot who worked as a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle region in the 1930s, then served with the U. S. Air Force during World War II and the post-war period. The collection includes a copy of Christopher's autobiographical memoir \u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003ePioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life\u003c/title\u003e. The collection also contains an outline for an article proposed by Christopher for \u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eAmerican Aviation Historical Society Journal\u003c/title\u003e, to be titled \"Flying in the Thirties in Texas,\" and a newspaper clipping about Christopher receiving the Air Force Commendation Medal.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection contains the papers of George William Christopher, a pilot who worked as a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle region in the 1930s, then served with the U. S. Air Force during World War II and the post-war period. The collection includes a copy of Christopher's autobiographical memoir  Pioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life . The collection also contains an outline for an article proposed by Christopher for  American Aviation Historical Society Journal , to be titled \"Flying in the Thirties in Texas,\" and a newspaper clipping about Christopher receiving the Air Force Commendation Medal."],"separatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eA second copy of Christopher's memoir was separated to the Rare Book Collection.\u003c/p\u003e"],"separatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Separated Materials"],"separatedmaterial_tesim":["A second copy of Christopher's memoir was separated to the Rare Book Collection."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eReproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly/scuareproduction\"\u003ehttp://bit.ly/scuareproduction\u003c/a\u003e. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly/scuapublication\"\u003ehttp://bit.ly/scuapublication\u003c/a\u003e. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. ","Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_c0d7e9ae93bb64a11953442e5db306a9\" label=\"Abstract\"\u003eThis collection includes an autobiographical memoir titled \u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003ePioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life\u003c/title\u003e by George William Christopher, a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle area in 1930s and a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II and post-war period. Also includes an outline for an article drawn from the book and a newspaper clipping about Christopher being awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in Italy.\u003c/abstract\u003e"],"abstract_tesim":["This collection includes an autobiographical memoir titled  Pioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life  by George William Christopher, a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle area in 1930s and a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II and post-war period. 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