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George R. Cain collection, 1940-2000, Date accessioned: 2019-09-17

 

Summary

Creator:
Cain, George R., 1921-2000
Cain, Catherine, 1916-2007
Extent:
.25 Linear Feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

George R. Cain collection, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_00_0559

Background

Scope and content:

This collection relates to George R. Cain and his service as a communications officer in the 23rd Fighter Group, also known as the Flying Tigers, in China during World War II. The collection includes a variety of memorabilia, which spans from the beginning of George H. Cain's service in 1940 until his death in 2000. A few sources in the collection provide an overview of military service on the island of Hawaii. Others document his post-service work with his local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.

Biographical / historical:

George R. Cain was born on October 7, 1921 in Shell Rock, Iowa. His interest in military began at a young age. He joined the Iowa National Guard when he was 16 and trained in California to be assigned to the United States naval base in Hawaii, Pearl Harbor. He was stationed at the Schofield barracks and survived the Japanese attack on the base that pulled the United States into World War II. Cain volunteered for the United States Air Force (known then as the Army Air Corps) and trained as a pilot in 1942. He was assigned to the 23rd fighter group and flew missions primarily in China. After the war ended, George R. Cain remained in service, assisting the rest of his volunteer group to complete orders that dealt with Japanese prisoners of war. George R. Cain pursued the study of law and received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and subsequently Harvard Law School. Cain remained on the Division's council for the Federal Bar and was a member of Experience Magazine's editorial board. He practiced as a lawyer for the majority of his life but kept a vested interest in his military background. He was heavily involved with his local Veterans of Foreign War Post in Lake Wales, Florida and served as its commander. Cain passed away on August 1, 2000.

Custodial history:

The custodial history of the collection remained with George R. Cain's wife, Catherine. She collected many of the items that George R. Cain kept throughout his life and compiled them into the collection, which she donated to the institute in 2000 following Cain's death.

Transferred from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to FSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives in July 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open to all researchers. Users may access this collection at the Claude Pepper Library.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

George R. Cain collection, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_00_0559

Location of this collection:
116 Honors Way
Tallahassee
FL
32306-2047
USA