Joseph Bates Collection

Click here to view a photo gallery of the Bates collection!

DONOR:

Bates, Joseph, Michael and Karen; 2007 - 2015

SIZE:

14 cu ft

SCOPE & CONTENT:

Slides (1960s Hawaii, travel); papers; books; magazines; photos; 8mm film reels; VHS tapes; U.S. Air Force Almanac; model of P-47 airplane (flown by Lt. Col. F. Gabreski); painting; set of knives.

BIOGRAPHY:

Joseph (“Joe”) Bates was born in New York City, NY, in 1919. He was a great contributor to the United States defense industry and served in World War II as a part of the U.S. Army. He also became the Liaise Officer for Republic Aircraft in Farmingdale, NY, and travelled nationwide as a Field Representative for the development and deployment of one of the top ranked and most advanced fighter planes in World War II, the P-47 Thunderbolt. After he was given an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army, Joe went on to serve in the Civilian Federal Service at Fort Crook, Nebraska.

In the private sector, Joe worked for Lockheed Corporation in the early 1960s. He also worked for Motorola Communications in a highly classified position with the U.S. Air Force on the Hypersonic Research Program. Joe contributed his numerous talents to projects with the Naval Weapons Station at Corona Annex, CA, the Naval Weapons Station at China Lake, CA, and the Naval Weapons Station at Seal Beach, CA.

Joe was highly accomplished and received many Letters of Commendation, three Group Superior Achievement Awards, and many other forms of recognition throughout his life. Joe passed in Las Cruces, NM in 2016.

Michael and Karen Bates currently live in California and continue to add extensive photographic images to the IHSF Collections.