1 Reply Latest reply on Mar 17, 2020 1:42 PM by Lisha Penn Branched from an earlier discussion.

Seeking records about Earle M. Pilgrim

Peter Stebbins Mar 13, 2020 10:21 AM

Mr. Pilgrim was an artist and while in the military he was in the 477th Composite Group and possibly its predecessor (I believe) the 477th Bombardment Group. I have discovered another publication, "Records of Military Agencies Relating to African Americans from the Post-World War I Period to the Korean War," compiled by Lisha Penn. Could you please direct me to its location and how best to access the material referenced on pp42-2, III.165.7 Entry 43 Decimal File, 1942–June 1946. 2 ft. 8 in.?

Re: Seeking records about Earle M. Pilgrim

Lisha Penn Mar 17, 2020 1:42 PM (in response to Peter Stebbins)

Dear Mr. Stebbins,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the National Archives Catalog and located Decimal Files, 1942-1948 in the Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs (Record Group 165) that is arranged by the War Department Decimal Filing System. There are records relating to African-Americans and the treatment of the 477th Bomb Group filed under decimal 291.2. For access to and/or copies to these files, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov.

RDT2 also has custody of microfilm copies of operational records relating to the U.S. Army Air Force units during WWII, including the 477th Bomb Group. We searched the Air Force History index to the microfilm and located 3 files that pertain to the 477th. Please read the brief Abstract to determine which records you are interested in and click on the specific PDF icon. In the PDF listing, the IRISREF is the microfilm reel number and note the FRAME and FRAMELST numbers for the location on the reel. Since the reel numbers begin B, please contact RDT2 via email at archives2reference@nara.gov for access to them.

You may also wish to review 477th Fighter Group; The 477TH Bombardment Group; B-25 Mitchell & Tuskegee Airmen; and 477th Composite Group websites for more information.

We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your research!
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