George B. Hightower military service information

Creator:
Hightower, George B. (George Bedney), 1911-?
Scope and content:

This file contains photocopies of George B. Hightower's World War II papers, including:

  • His diary (dated January 22-May 10, 1945) written while he was Commanding Officer Forward Echelon, 68th Composite Wing Headquarters, 14th Army Air Forces, China
  • Military orders
  • Commendations
  • Correspondence
  • Photographs
  • Printed material

Language:
English .
Biographical / historical:

George Bedney Hightower (VMI Class of 1933) served in World War II with the famed Flying Tigers. The First American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Chinese Air Force in 1941–1942 was nicknamed the Flying Tigers and was composed of pilots from the United States Army Air Corps, Navy, and Marine Corps. This group was recruited under presidential authority and commanded by Claire Lee Chennault. The shark-faced nose art of the Flying Tigers remains among the most recognizable image of any individual combat aircraft or combat unit of World War II.

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Parent restrictions:
The bulk of the collection is open to research. Some individual files are currently closed per donor stipulation.
Parent terms of access:
Contact the Archives staff for additional information about using and accessing material in this collection.

Contents