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Christopher, George William, 1908-2002

 Person

Biographical Note

George William Christopher, son of Van B. and Laura Gilliland Christopher, was born in Texhoma, Oklahoma on September 17, 1908. The younger Christopher later moved with his family to southern Kansas and the Texas panhandle, where he worked variously as a fireman, mechanic, and electrician. In 1933, Christopher purchased a Waco 10 biplane, and the following year, he became a professional flight instructor. Through the 1930s, Christopher continued work as a flight instructor and also barnstormed throughout the area. During World War II, he instructed air cadets at Love Field (Dallas, Texas) before joining the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) in Santa Monica, California, as an engineering test pilot, then went on active duty as a reserve officer with the Army Air Forces. From 1947 until his retirement, Christopher served as a regular officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was awarded numerous medals and honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Korean War, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal while serving with Allied Air Forces, Southern Europe, a NATO command in Naples, Italy. In 1941, Christopher married Geneva Weatherspoon (1907-1994), and the couple would have one child. Following Christopher's retirement from the U. S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, the Christophers lived in El Paso, Texas. George William Christopher died on April 22, 2002 and was buried at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, Texas.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

George William Christopher Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1991-031
Abstract This collection includes an autobiographical memoir titled Pioneer Pilot from the Texas Panhandle: Stories from a Flier's Life by George William Christopher, a flight instructor and barnstormer in the Texas panhandle area in 1930s and a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II and post-war period. Also includes an outline for an article drawn from the book and a newspaper clipping about Christopher being awarded the Air Force Commendation...
Dates: 1961 - 1991

George William Christopher Papers

 Unprocessed Material
Identifier: Acc-1991-832

Additional filters:

Type
Unprocessed Material 1
Digital Record 1
Collection 1
 
Subject
Air pilots 2
Science and Technology 2