Benjamin R. Holcombe Flight Logs, 1921-1926: Finding Aid

Biography of Benjamin Royall Holcombe

Benjamin Royall Holcombe was born 16 April 1894 in Oregon. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1916, Holcombe was appointed to the Academy from New York. During his decade-long U.S. Navy career as an officer, Holcombe served aboard U.S.S. Arizona (Battleship: BB-39), on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the Asiatic Fleet, in the Pacific Fleet Air Squadrons, in the Aircraft Squadrons of the Scouting Fleet, at the Bureau of Aeronautics, and aboard U.S.S. Robert Smith (Destroyer: DD-324). According to the Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, Holcombe resigned from naval service 27 June 1927 with the rank of Lieutenant. Other sources give his final rank as Lieutenant Commander. Holcombe died 19 March 1930 at Stuart, Florida.

Description of Contents

The Benjamin R. Holcombe Flight Logs are two standard "aviators flight log books" kept by Benjamin Royall Holcombe, USN. The logs begin with the 6 July 1921 entry noting Holcombe's appointment as a student naval aviator and end with the 27 July 1926 entry while at the Bureau of Aeronautics. The flight records bear the verifying signatures of various naval officers including such notables as William A. Moffett and John Rodgers.

The log entries contain such standard data as date, type of machine, number of machine, landings, height, pilot, character of flight, passenger, duration of flight and station where serving. The character of flight entries in the first volume often note type of flight (such as training, gunnery practice, bombing practice, patrol, mail delivery) or destination. Several of Holcombe's flights took him to Cuba and Panama. The character of flight entries in the second volume, while Holcombe was station at the Bureau of Aeronautics, consist mainly of an alphanumeric code corresponding to a specific type of flight.

Arrangement

The Benjamin R. Holcombe Flight Logs are arranged chronologically.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Benjamin R. Holcombe Flight Logs 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 the U.S. Naval Institute in October 1997. Accession No. 97-62.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to Benjamin R. Holcombe's time as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy may be found in Holcombe's Personnel Jacket and Alumni Jacket in Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Benjamin R. Holcombe Flight Logs, MS 364

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 2003. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 2003 and edited by David D'Onofrio in August 2013.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Holcombe, Benjamin R., 1894-1930
• United States. Navy -- Aviation

Genre Terms

• Logs (records)
• Manuscripts