FAIRCHILD, MUIR STEPHEN

In 1946, LtGen Fairchild was named the first commandant of Air University at Maxwell Field, AL.  On May 27, 1948 he became Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.

February 2007

Compiled by Bibliography Branch
Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center
Maxwell AFB, AL

Contents

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Air Force of this Web site or the information, products, or services contained therein.  For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and morale, welfare and recreation sites, the U.S. Air Force does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations.  Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD Web site. 
Some articles listed below require access to subscription databases.  If you cannot gain access, contact your local library for availability.  AU students and faculty can contact the Center's Web Maintainer for a password.

All sites listed were last accessed February 22, 2010.

Internet Resources

AFHRA  Personal Papers:  Muir Stephen Fairchild. 
Available online at:  http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=11124
Personal and official papers relating to Fairchild’s Air Force career spanning the years 1923-1950 are housed at the Air Force Historical  Research Agency, located in the same building as the Fairchild Research and Information Center, Maxwell AFB, AL.   More of his  papers are housed at the Library of Congress.

General Muir S. Fairchild:  Biography United States Air Force. 
Available online at:  http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=5385
Official biography maintained on USAF home page with photograph.

Ira C. Eaker and Muir Fairchild, Pan American Flight, 1927. 
Available online at:  http://www.loc.gov/index.html
Offers photograph of Eaker and Fairchild from the Library of Congress collection on the Pan American Flight.  To access the image, click on the Library Catalog tab, Guided Search, and input  "Muir AND Fairchild" in the search boxes.  Muir S. Fairchild papers are housed at the Library of Congress covering mainly the years 1948-1950.

Muir S. Fairchild. 
Available online at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muir_S._Fairchild
Image (photo) and short biographical sketch with links to units in the Air Force to which General Fairchild served.  States that Fairchild AFB was named for him after his death.  He is the namesake of "Air University Library", his being the first commander of Air University.  Fairchild Hall, the main academic building at the United States Air Force Academy is named in his honor, also.

Muir Stephen Fairchild.  General United States Air Force. 
Available online at:  http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/msfairc.htm
Arlington National Cemetery website offers short bio and a photography of his tombstone with medal.  Wife Florence buried beside him.

Photographs and Images of Muir S. Fairchild.
Available online at:  http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=%22Muir+Fairchild%22&gbv=2
 

Books

Beaumont, Roger A.  Right Backed by Might:  The International Air Force Concept.  Westport, CT, Praeger, 2001.  201 p.
Pages 106-107 mentions Major General Muir S. Fairchild's involvement in postwar planning, specifically the SIMG (Special Informal Military Group).
Book call no.:  327.172 B379r

Benton, Jeffrey C.  They Served Here:  Thirty-Three Maxwell Men.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University Press, July 1999.  78 p.
Sketch on General Fairchild on pp 59-60.
Also available online at:  http://aupress.au.af.mil/Books/Benton/Benton.pdf
Book call no.:  358.41709761 B478t

Biddle, Tami Davis.  Rhetoric and Reality in Air Warfare:  The Evolution of British and American Ideas About Strategic Bombing, 1914-1945.  Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press, 2002.  406 p.
On page 162 the author details the efforts of instructor Major Fairchild at the ACTS to increase the knowledge base on strategic bombing by suggesting that instructors work with the Industrial War College and the Brookings Institution to determine how much destruction a particular target would require (1937).
Book call no.:  358.42 B584r

Converse, Elliott Vanveltner.  Circling the Earth:  United States Plans for a Postwar Overseas Military Base System, 1942-1948.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University Press, August 2005.  235 p.
On page 7 it states that Maj. Gen. Fairchild of the AAF met with Vice Adm Russell Willson in 1943 to fashion the military's policy toward an international police force.
Book call no.:  355.709 C766c

DuPre, Flint O.  U.S. Air Force Biographical Dictionary.  New York, Franklin Watts, Inc, 1965.  271 p.
Muir S. Fairchild sketch on p 74.
Book call no.:  R 923.573 D942u

Fairchild, Muir Stephen.  Address of Welcome ... to Students Air War College and Air Command and Staff School.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University, 1946.  30 p.
Part of Fairchild Special Collection.  In-library use only; ask at circulation desk.
Book call no.:  358.07 F165a

Fairchild, Muir Stephen.  Addresses, Memoranda, Etc. by United States Air Force General Officers, Et Al.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University, 1949.  2 p.
One of seven items in folder is  "Memorandum for General Barnes on the Subject:  Certain Aspects of the Air Force Course" by Muir S. Fairchild, Maj. Gen. US Army, Commandant.  Located in Fairchild Special Collections.  Ask at Circulation Desk.
Book call no.:  358.400973 A227

Fairchild, Muir Stephen.  Air University.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University, 1946.  14 p.
Details General Fairchild's lectures given at a conference for the staff and faculty of the Command and Staff Course and members of the Army Air Forces School staff.
Book call no.:  358.07 F165aa

Fairchild, Muir Stephen.  Report of the USAF Military Education Board on the Professional Education System for USAF Officers.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University, 1950.  42 p.
Also known as the Fairchild report.
Book call no.:  358.0711 A2986r

Fairchild, Muir Stephen.  Requirements for Air Ascendancy, Compiled by Maj. Gen. Muir S. Fairchild for the War Department and Army Air Forces.  Washington, DC, USAF, September 9, 1942.  160 p.
Other title:  Air War Planning Document--42.  Located in Fairchild Special Collections.  Ask at Circulation Desk.
Book call no.:  629.13 F165r

Fairchild, Muir Stephen.  Study of Qualifications Desirable in an AAF Officer.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University, March 10, 1947.  289 p.
Reproduction.  "On file in AG's office".
Book call no.:  358.41332 S9331

Fredriksen, John C.  American Military Leaders:  From Colonial Times to the Present.  Santa Barbara, CA, ABC-CLIO, 1999.  926 p.
On pages 829-830 the author states that Major General Nathan F. Twining replaced General Muir S. Fairchild in 1948 as Vice Chief of Staff in the newly formed U. S. Air Force.
Book call no.:  355.0092273 F852a

Gentile, Gian P.  How Effective Is Strategic Bombing?:  Lessons Learned from World War II to Kosovo.  New York, New York University Press, 2001.  275 p.
On page 2 the author states that Muir Fairchild was one of the airmen who laid the groundwork for the concept of strategic bombing during the 1930s.
Book call no.:  355.422 G338h

Griffith, Charles.  Quest:  American Strategic Bombing in World War II.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University Press, 1999.  226 p.
On page 43 he gives the nickname of General Muir S. Fairchild as "Santy" while he was a student at ACTS.
Book call no.:  940.544973 G853q

Guide to Military Installations.  Harrisburg, PA, Stackpole Books, 1997.  392 p.
The Guide states on page 257 that in 1950 the Spokane Army Air Depot in Washington state was renamed for Gen. Fairchild. General Fairchild was a native of Bellingham and was Vice Chief of Staff for Air.
Book call no.:  355.702573 C885g

Johnson, Stephen B.  The Secret of Apollo:  Systems Management in American and European Space Programs.  Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002.  290 p.
On page 26 is detailed Gen. Fairchild's role in the establishment of Air Research and Development Command in 1950, separating R&D from AMC (Ridenour Report).
Book call no.:  629.40973 J69s

Moy, Timothy.  War Machines:  Transforming Technologies in the U.S. Military, 1920-1940.  College Station, TX, Texas A & M University Press, 2001.  218 p.
On page 185 the author quotes a lecture of General Fairchild at ACTS in 1938 on National Economic Structures.
Book call no.:  355.070973 M938w

Professional Military Education for Air Force Officers:  Comments and Criticisms, edited by Richard L. Davis and Frank P. Donnini.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University Press, 1991.  121 p.
On page 46 the key documents, memos, and regulations are cited which established Air University-- Major General Fairchild  commanding general of Air University  (1946, AAFR 20-61).
Book call no.:  358.4007 P964

Rattray, Gregory J.  Strategic Warfare in Cyberspace.  Cambridge, MA, MIT Press, 2001.  517 p.
On page, 267 Major Muir S. Fairchild in a lecture at ACTS in 1935-36 gave New York city as an example of how attacks could be launched on major cities.
Book call no.:  355.343 R237sa

Shelburne, James Crumpton.  Factors Leading to the Establishment of the Air University.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University, 1953.  289 p.
Loose-leaf photocopy of memorandum in the handwriting of General Muir S. Fairchild concerning Air University.  Thesis--University of Chicago.
Book call no.:  358.0711 S544f

Stoler, Mark A.  Allies and Adversaries:  The Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Grand Alliance, and U.S. Strategy in World War II.  Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Press, 2000.  380 p.
The author draws on the unpublished records of the Joint Chiefs as well as the War, Navy, and State Departments, to analyze the wartime rise of military influence in U.S. foreign policy.  On page 207 he names Major General Fairchild at 48 as being the youngest member of the JSSC (Joint Strategic Survey Committee).
Book call no.:  940.54012 S875a

Strategic Air Defense, edited by Stephen J. Cimbala.  Wilmington, DE, SR Books, 1989.  275 p.
Details contributions of Gen. Fairchild on pages 6, 10, 13-14.  On p 6 Gen. Fairchild is described as a talented young officer who contributed to the concept of precision daylight bombardment in global warfare while at the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama in the 1930s.
Book call no.:  358.4145 S898

Valey, Wayne A.  Airman's Guide.  Harrisburg, PA, Stackpole Books, 1997.  307 p.
On page 46 the Fairchild Library of Air University (the namesake of General Muir S. Fairchild) is mentioned with reference to its holdings, support work in bibliography preparation, etc.
Book call no.:  358.4002373 V168a

Who's Who in American History.  A Companion Biographical Reference Work to Who's Who in America.  Chicago, IL, A. N. Marquis Company, 1950.  654 p.
Sketch on General Fairchild found in the addendum section page 602.
Book call no.:  R 920.07 W622

Who Was Who in American History, the Military.  Chicago, IL, Marquis Who's Who, 1975.  652 p.
Muir S. Fairchild sketch on page 164.
Book call no.:  R 923.5 W628

Documents

Fairchild, Muir Stephen.  The Aim in War.  Maxwell Field, AL, Air University, May 27, 1940.  17 p.
Photocopy of speech given May 27, 1940, at the Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, Alabama.
Doc. call no.:  M-U 44230

Smith, Frederic H.  The General Muir Fairchild Memorial Address.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University, December 6, 1962.  21 p.
Doc. call no.:  M-U 38043 S647g

United States.  Air Force.  USAF Scientific Advisory Board.  Research and Development in the United States Air Force:  Report of a Special Committee of the Scientific Advisory Board to the Chief of Staff, USAF.  Washington, DC, HQ, September 21, 1949.  Sections I-X3. 
Seminal report addressed to General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Chief of Staff, USAF, recommending a new structure for R&D in the Air Force.  Sometimes referred to as the Ridenour Report as Louis N. Ridenour was the chairman of the Special Committee.  On page A-1 is a transcript of a meeting held on April 7, 1949, at the Pentagon in which General Muir S. Fairchild welcomes the SAB in behalf of General Vandenberg who could not be present.
Doc. call no.:  M-U 35050

United States.  Air Force.  HQ.  Implementation of Ridenour and Air University Reports on Research and Development.   Washington, DC, HQ, December 2, 1949.
Tabs A-Contains copies of memorandums that flow from the Chief of Staff to the Vice Chief of Staff  (Muir S. Fairchild) to the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff to the Deputy Chief of Development to the newly established Commanding General of Air Research and Development Command.  General Fairchild authors the proposed HOI 20-  which will consolidate R&D activities and a memo to the newly established Deputy Chief of Staff of Development, Headquarters, United States Air Force.
Doc. call no.:  M-U 35050-1


Document (Student Research)

Mitchell, Charles H.  Impact of General Muir S. Fairchild on the Air University and the USAF.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air Command and Staff College, April 1986.  26 p.
Student report of Muir S. Fairchild.
Doc. call no.:  M-U 43122 M6813i

Periodicals

Air General Tells of Jet Plane Gains.  New York Times, p 8, Oct 29, 1949.
"Gen. Muir S. Fairchild, Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, told 400 persons last night at the annual dinner of the Wings Club, Inc., at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, that jet fighters have been greatly improved and that further improvements are on the way".
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=84579346&Fmt=7&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=HNP

Baldwin, Hanson W.  AAF  "Indoctrinates" Civilian Leaders.  New York Times, p 3, May 27, 1947.
"The Air University -- A unique educational institution, which has a heavy responsibility for American security -- is virtually concluding this week its first academic year.  The university, which is commanded by Maj. Gen. Muir S. Fairchild, is charged with the education of Army Air Force officers and it has fulfilled that obligation with distinction in the course given in its component schools the last year".
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=87755758&Fmt=7&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=HNP

Baldwin, Hanson W.  Air Force Schools to Widen Classes.  New York Times, p 20, Jan 14, 1948.
"Passage of the so-called "unification bill," or National Defense Act, last year has not altered in any important particular the concepts, policies or organization of the Air University, which is commanded by Maj. Gen. Muir S. Fairchild".
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=96413640&Fmt=7&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=HNP

Defense Heads to Aid at Fairchild's Rites.  New York Times, p 82, Mar 19, 1950.
"Muir S. Fairchild, Air Vice Chief of Staff, who died last night at near-by Fort Myer, VA, after suffering a heart attack, will be buried with military honors on Tuesday in Arlington National Cemetery".
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=305481612&Fmt=7&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=HNP

Gen. M. S. Fairchild of U. S. Air Force, 55.  New York Times, p 13, Mar 18, 1950.
"General Muir S. Fairchild, Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force since 1948, died tonight of a heart attack in his quarters at near-by Fort Myer, Va.  His age was 55".
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=305455052&Fmt=7&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=HNP

Grandstaff, Mark R.  Muir Fairchild and the Origins of Air University, 1945-46.  Airpower Journal 11:29+ Winter 1997.
Profiles Major General Muir S. Fairchild of the US Army Air Forces (AAF).  Details his education and career background; reasons why many high-ranking officers had referred to him as the `brain of the Air Force'; his contributions to the founding and success of the Air University.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=213296&site=ehost-live
Also available online at:  http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj97/win97/grand.html  (from magazine publisher site)

Kaempffert, Waldemar.  A Range 3,000 Miles Long Is Needed to Test The Guided Missiles Now Being Planned.  New York Times, E9, Feb 27, 1949.
"In the course of the hearings on H. R. 1741, a bill which calls for the establishment of a 3,000-mile range for guided missiles, Dr. Karl T. Compton, Gen. Muir S. Fairchild and Brig. Gen. William L. Richardson appeared before a House subcommittee to explain in easily understood language some of the experimental work that the Army, Navy and Air Force have in view.  The bill, authorizing $75,000,000 to set up the 3,000-mile range, has been approved by the House Armed Services Committee".
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=96618010&Fmt=7&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=HNP

Spaatz Dedicates University of Air; General in Alabama Predicts Plane Services of Future Will Prevent Wars.  New York Times, p 32, September 4, 1946.
General Carl A. Spaatz, Army Air Forces Chief, dedicates the newly established AAF Air University on September 3rd. Major General Muir S. Fairchild its new commander.

Truman Increases Air Force Command; He Names 72 Officers to Rank of Permanent Major and Brigadier Generals.  New York Times, p 2, January 29, 1948.
President Truman nominates Muir S. Fairchild to grade of Major General.

USAF Leaders Through the Years.  Air Force Magazine ( 2007 USAF Almanac) 90:39-44 May 2007.
A list of previous leaders of the U.S. Air Force is presented.  On p 39, Vice Chiefs of Staff include General Muir S. Fairchild.

This page was last updated on 02/22/2010 01:37 PM

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