Leon Clayton McWilliams Collection

Publications, photographs, posters, clippings, books, certificates, correspondence a scrapbook, uniforms and other materials concerning the career, military service and family of Leon C. McWilliams, (1922- ). McWilliams entered the 153rd Mississippi Air National Guard based at Key Field, Meridian, Mississippi, in 1940, where he received training for active duty. McWilliams' unit became the 153rd Observation Squadron and once activated, served in France, Belgium and Germany, participating in anti-submarine and artillery spotting operations in Europe. Following the war, McWilliams graduated from MSU with a B.S. in Agriculture and served as a USAF Officer until 1982. As an MSU Alumnus, McWilliams was founding member of the MSU Chapter of the National Football Foundation. The collection contains materials on Thomas E. "Shorty" McWilliams (1927-1997), MSU football star and brother of Leon McWilliams. A scrapbook (1940-1945) contains photographs and other materials on Key Field, Meridian, Mississippi, and its founders, Algiene Earl Key and Frederick Maurice Key; the 153rd Observation Squadron in England and Germany, World War II; and Germany and German concentration camps just after the war.