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Simeon C. Sparkman collection, 1940-1976, Date acquired: 2016-10-28, Date accessioned: 2020-06-01, bulk 1942-1945

 

Summary

Creator:
Sparkman, Simeon C., 1915-1985
Extent:
2.5 Linear Feet 5 half boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], Simeon C. Sparkman collection, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/fa/02-16-1930

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains a compilation of personal letters and official documents, photographs, personal items, and military badges of Sgt. Simeon C. Sparkman who served with the 8th Air Force from 1943 to 1945, at Burtonwood Air Depot, Warrington, England, also known as Base Air Depot No. 1. Sparkman was specifically assigned to Hangar 5, Mary Ann Site, "B" Shift, Aero Repair Crew 6, and was the ranking NCO on Crew 6 in the grade of T/Sgt. The papers in this collection are comprised of correspondence with his wife, parents, and other family members and close friends.

Biographical / historical:

Simeon C. Sparkman was born on September 26, 1915, and raised in Plant City, FL. However, he lived in St. Petersburg, Florida, for most of his life. He married Ursula Wahlstrom in 1940, and together they had three children. This collection documents his time in the 8th Air Force from 1943 to 1945, at Burtonwood Base, Warrington, England, also known as Base Air Depot No. 1. Sparkman was specifically assigned to Hangar 5, Mary Ann Site, "B" Shift, Aero Repair Crew 6, and was the ranking NCO on Crew 6 in the grade of T/Sgt. Prior to his World War II service, Sparkman also served in the Florida National Guard. Sparkman entered service at Camp Blanding, FL, on June 22, 1943, Sparkman enlisted as an aircraft mechanic volunteer and spent two months in Lackland, Texas, for training before being deployed to Warrington, England. American forces stationed at Base Air Depot No. 1 were responsible for repairing damaged aircraft of the various squadrons also serving at the Air Base. Following German surrender, Sparkman's unit was deployed to the U.S. for active duty. He later became promoted to Master Sergeant before he returned back to Florida in December 1945. He passed away on February 20, 1985 in Florida.

Acquisition information:
This collection was donated by Steven L. Sparkman, son of Simeon C. Sparkman. The collection was acquired by the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience on October 28, 2016.
Custodial history:

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 collections is available to all researchers.

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:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], Simeon C. Sparkman collection, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/fa/02-16-1930

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