Edward M. Ogden & THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY LIBRARY

In March, 2002, Kith and Bill Gateley delivered some material pertaining to Edward M. Ogden to the Air Force Academy Library at Colorado Springs, Colorado. It included the biography of him which Bill had prepared a number of years ago  and a large book containing aerial photographs taken during air raids by the 467th Bomb Group during WWII. He was the Intelligence Officer for that group and one of his duties was to interpret the photographs to determine the damage done. When he returned home, he brought with him that book and some other material about the 467th. This things were later brought to Colorado by Doris Ogden and finally ended up in Bill's closet following her death in Colorado Springs.

Bill had visited the library at the Air Force Academy several years ago to do some research, and it occurred to him that the 467th material might well be welcomed there (both Kith and Helen agreed with him). A phone call in the summer of 2001 to Mr. Reed of the Special Collections Branch confirmed that thought. At the time, Mr. Reed said that they were in the midst of some major reorganization of their library and to get in touch with him later in the fall. Then the 9-11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., occurred, so another call was postponed until early March, 2002. Due to continuing security restrictions at the AFA imposed by 9-11, although we would be able to get on the base, we would not able to get to the library itself. Mr. Reed suggested meeting us at a parking area close to the academic area, where the library is located.  This they did and delivered the 467th material as well as a copy of the biography of Ned Ogden which Bill had created some years ago and given to all of his daughters.

The letter below was received a few days later. Sometime in the future it may happen that security restrictions will be lifted so that any of you might be able to visit the library itself. In any event, the material is there for posterity.

 

                    DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

THE ACADEMY LIBRARIES 

 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

USAF ACADEMY\ COLORADO 60840-6214

                                                                                                               

                                                                                                  8 March 2002

 

HQ USAFA/DFLIBSC

2354 Fairchild Drive, Suite 6A52

USAF Academy, CO 80840-6214

 

Mr. Wilson Gateley

3201 W. Platte Ave

Colorado Springs, CO 80904

 

Dear Mr. Gateley

Thank you for your donation of your superb biographical essay on the life and military

career of Edward Mikels Ogden and the extraordinary trip diary and correspondence

compiled by Mr. Ogden during his service in World War I. In addition, the printed

matter and graphic photographic reconnaissance album which depicts the missions of the

467th Bombardment Group in the European Theater during World War II constitute an

 important addition to holdings.

 

The material will be housed within the Library’s Special Collections Branch where it will

 be made available for cadet and scholarly research.

 

Thank you again for your outstanding support of the Academy Library.

 

Duane J. Reed

Archivist and Chief

Special Collections Branch