Title: Robert Carlton (Bob) Wilson Papers, 1953-1980
Primary Creator: Wilson, Robert (1916-)
Extent: 597.83 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 12/18/1980
Subjects: Politicians--California--San Diego, San Diego (Calif.)--Politics and government, San Diego County (Calif.)--Politics and government--Sources, United States--Politics and government--1945-1989, Wilson, Bob, 1916--Archives
Forms of Material: Personal Papers, Photographs
Languages: English
Born in Calexico, Imperial County, California on April 5, 1916, Bob Wilson attended local public schools in Calexico. The Wilson family moved to San Diego, California in 1928. While attending San Diego State College, Wilson worked as a newsboy, grocery clerk, and theater usher. Wilson also attended the Otis Art Institute, working part-time as a milk route salesman, and later as the merchandising manager for a dairy. During WWII, Wilson operated Conship Commissary, served in the Coast Guard Reserve (Port Security Service) and as a private in the United State Army. After the war, Wilson joined an advertising agency in San Diego as a partner and Vice president.
Elected in 1952 as a Republican (83rd Congress) from what was then California's 30th District (all of San Diego City and County), Wilson rose to the position of ranking minority member of the House Armed Services Committee. He also served from 1960-64 as House Republican Election Committee chairman. Wilson was one of the originators of the 1951 California movement that resulted in Dwight Eisenhower's presidential candidacy. He retired in 1980.
Politicians--California--San Diego
San Diego (Calif.)--Politics and government
San Diego County (Calif.)--Politics and government--Sources
United States--Politics and government--1945-1989
Wilson, Bob, 1916--Archives
Repository: Special Collections & University Archives
Access Restrictions: Access to some records is restricted, please consult with Special Collections & University Archives staff for details. Patrons wishing to use the Robert C. Wilson Papers must sign a "Researcher's Agreement," a copy of which can be obtained from Special Collections & University Archives staff.
Use Restrictions: The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Acquisition Source: Robert C. Wilson
Preferred Citation: Identification of item, folder title, box number, Robert Carlton (Bob) Wilson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Library and Information Access, San Diego State University.
A large collection of letters, government reports, news releases and other items. Examples are: Letters (Oct.-Nov. 1959) from constituent Miss Dorothy R. Gombold, Margaret M. Young (Secretary to Wilson) & Colonel Harold P. Sparks (Dept. of the Air Force) re/ certain expenses Miss Gombold incurred in connection with household goods shipped from overseas; letters (March 1959) from constituent Edward Sarviel, Congressman Wilson, Major General W.P. Fisher (Dir. Legislative Liaison, USAF) & a copy of "Statement By the Secretary of the Air Force James H. Douglas On the Training Program at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas" re/ a controversial article in the March 1959 edition of "True" magazine; copies of 2 letters (4/9/59) re/ interest in Air Force policy about recruiting of individuals arrested for speeding; 2 letters (Sept. & Oct. 1960) to Wilson from the Dept. of the Air Force re/ anticipated "personnel build-up in Southern California in connection with the management of our missile and space programs; 5 letters (Feb.-Mar. 1960) from constituent Mrs. Virginia R. Bldgett, Congressmen Wilson & Francis E. Walter re/ the "Air Force Manual on Communist activities;" 3 letters (Ap.-May 1960) from Colonel C.L. Ashlock (Commander, Civil Wing, Civil Air Patrol, CA) & Wilson's reply (5/3/60) re/ "Senator Bartlett's contemplated legislation S3122" for Air Rescue Service; 1 copy of "REED COMMITTEE REPORT ON MATS" April 1960;" letters (Feb. & Mar. 1960 indicating Honorary Membership for Wilson in the Bolling Air Force Base Officers' Mess; a letter (2/26/60) from constituent Frank W. Seifert & Wilson's reply (3/24/60) re/ interest in number of air force bases being closed and Siefert's experience as a pilot and criticism of Brown Field as "a lousy flying field." a copy of "REPORT on Unidentified Flying Objects observed Feb. 24, 1959 by American - United Airline Pilots" compiled by UFO Research Committee, Akron, OH; a packet of corresp. (Jan. - Feb. 1960) re/ the controversy over the proposed closing of the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL and its political and economic consequences to the community; 2 letters (2/60) from Congressman Gerald T. Flynn and a copy of his Statement to the Armed Services Committee re/ the "Disposition of Bong Air Force Base, Kansasville, WI and the potential harm to his district; 1 copy of "The Role of Military Air Transport Service In Peace and War, February 1960 (21 pp. & appendicies), copies of DOD News Releases
on Report on M.AT.S, 1 letter (1/29/60) from H.F. Hugo (Sec'y, Retired Officers Assn.), Wilson's reply (2/9/60) & a Resolution from the Retired Officers Assn., North Bay Chapter, San Francisco (1/29/6) re/ M.A.T.S. must be maintained & a letter (1/22/60) from La Mesa constituent James Snapp, Jr., Wilson's reply (2/9/60) & a reprint from AIR FORCE and SPACE DIGEST (Jan. 1960) re/ "Members of the California Wing of the Air Force Association feel strongly that it is in the best interests of the United States to reactivate the B-70 Program."
A collection of memorandum, office notes, letters & telegrams. Examples are: "Memorandum For: Honorable Bob Wilson" (10 March 1964) from Col. John M. Chapman (USAF) re/ an invitation "to participate in a trip to an operational missile base, Headquarters, U.S. Strike Command, and a SAC B-52 Bombardment Wing, as outlined on the attached itinerary;" a letter (1/7/64) from Brig. Gen. Thomas G. Corbin (Dep. Dir., Legislative Liaison, Dept. of the Air Force) to Congressman Wilson & attached copy of "Reorganization of Air Force Reserve Medical Units," with plans to activite 120 of these units; 6 letters (Ap. May 1964) from Jack Dowdie (Swift Air, Lindbergh Field), Congressman Wilson, Col. Carl V. Schott (Cong. Inquiry Div., USAF) & attached "Invoice/Claim -- Billing for Emergency Landing of Civilian Aircraft" re/ Mr. Dowdie's emergency landing charges at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada; 4 letters (Sept. - Oct. 1964) & photocopy of Evening Tribune news article (9/11/64) re/ ATLAS D missiles to be phased out in fiscal year 1965; 5 letters (Jan.-Feb. 1965) from Edgar M. Gillenwaters (Admin. Asst. to Wilson), Thomas W. Sefton (San Diego Trust and Savings Bank) & Col. L. Conques (USAF) re/ UFOs; 4 letters (Feb.-Mar. 1965) from Congressman Wilson, Leonard E. Snyder (President, Olmstead Chapter 222, Air Force Assn.), Edgar M. Gillenwaters, Congressman C. Kunkel & enclosed photocopy of page 1 of the Harrisburg The Evening News (2/10/65) & 2 page copy of the "Economic Effects of Closing Middletown Air Materiel Area, Olmstead Air Force Base; 4 letters (Feb. 1965) and photocopy of news article in the
Wall Street Journal (2/5/65) re/ cheating in the Air Force Academy; and a packet of corresp. (June 1963 - Oct. 1965) "concerning our Titan II ICBM'S effectiveness and alleging that United States Air Force Officer' inefficiency at the Ballistic Systems Division, Norton Air Force Base, is the cause of the ineffectiveness of the Titan II ICBMs."