F. Michael O'Brien Papers, 1969-1991: Finding Aid

Biography of F. Michael O'Brien

Francis Michael O'Brien, Jr. is an aircraft aficionado and author, primarily publishing works on U.S. naval aviation and aircraft. O'Brien is also the author of several unpublished books, contained herein.

Description of Contents

The F. Michael O'Brien Papers, comprising 0.63 linear feet of documentation, consists of six manuscripts spanning the period from 1969 to 1991. The manuscripts, including several historical works, a novel, and two poems, pertain to jet military aircraft (specifically the F-4 Phantom II, F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle, and Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat), the Persian Gulf War of 1991, the United States Marine Corps, and Carrier Air Groups.

The O'Brien Papers are arranged chronologically by date of authorship or copyright. The first two manuscripts in the collection, Phantom II and The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels in Phantoms pertain to the development of the F-4 Phantom and the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team's conversion to the Phantom, respectively. Tomcats, Foxbats, and Eagles pertains to the development of the F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle, and the MiG-25 Foxbat. All three manuscripts include photographs and limited amounts of source materials, as well as occasional press clippings pertaining to O'Brien's work. A poem, entitled Super CAG, is a fictional account of the events surrounding a Cold War engagement of a Carrier Air Group, including the sinking of the U.S.S. Nimitz (Aircraft carrier : CVN-68). The final manuscript is a poem, in the form of an epic paean, commemorating Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

Arrangement

The O'Brien Papers are arranged chronologically by date of authorship or copyright.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The F. Michael O'Brien Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of F. Michael O'Brien in August 1975, October 1975, April 1976, November 1983, May 1991, and November 1992. Accession Nos. 83-27, 91-20, 92-55 and unnumbered.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

There are no other known collections of papers of F. Michael O'Brien.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

F. Michael O'Brien Papers, MS 265

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was originally processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1991 and reprocessed by David D'Onofrio in December 2008. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in December 2008.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Aircraft carriers -- Fiction
• MIG 25 (Jet fighter plane)
• O'Brien, F. Michael
• Persian Gulf War, 1991
• Phantom II (Jet fighter plane)
• Tomcat (Jet fighter plane)

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts