First US Air Force Academy Yearbook 1956 '"Downwind," ATO's Book, MIA/POW Letter

Description

Rare copy of first-ever U.S. Air Force Academy yearbook, “Downwind,” 1956, previously owned by Lt. Kimbrough S. Bassett, one of academy’s first Air Training Officers (photo lower right corner of ATO page) who was responsible for creating “Contrails,” the handbook still given to every cadet upon entry into the academy.
Hardcover is textured blue and silver with a bronze-colored propeller blade on front.
Yearbook is dedicated to Lt. General Hubert R. Harmon, who was instrumental in developing plans for the academy and was its first superintendent.
It features color photos of Dedication Day (at Lowry AFB, Colorado, where academy located until permanent campus constructed) and black-and-white photos of President Dwight Eisenhower and other dignitaries.
Includes photos of academy’s first cadet class (graduated in 1959) and officers, airmen and civilians who were academy’s first personnel in 1955, as well as typical yearbook photos of activities and sports.
Full-page advertisements by aircraft and aircraft part manufacturers and American Airlines.
Included in book:
1)
Typed letter dated Feb. 7, 1968, to Mr. Bassett and his wife from Capt. George Hines, USAF, mentioning Bassett’s fellow air training officer at the academy, Lt. James Quincy Collins (pictured in book), and several graduates, including Jon Black and Thomas Derrickson (pictured in book), 1959 graduates, who were MIA or POW at that time in the Vietnam War.
2)
Newspaper clipping from “The Courier-News” in New Jersey with photos of 8 Air Force men, the third group selected by NASA to train as astronauts, including Michael Collins, pilot of Apollo 11 command module for man’s first walk on moon, and Capt. Charles Bassett who died tragically during training.
(I don’t know if he was related to Kimbrough Bassett.)
Measurements: 9 1/4” x 12 1/4” x 3/4”.
168 pages.
Published by Newsfoto Publishing Co., San Angelo, TX.
Very good condition for age.
No writing, marks, tears or creases.
Wear on each end of spine, minor wear on edges of front and back covers.
First inside pages of front and back have yellowing.
Back inside pages also have spotting.
See photos.
Feel free to ask questions about the contents of this yearbook.
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