Publications on Smokejumping

This collection consists of publications on smokejumping. Currently the collection includes a three volume set of life stories contributed conscientious objectors who worked for the Civilian Public Service as smokejumpers during World War II.

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Book of Gobi, Book 1: Siskiyou Smokejumper Base, 1943-1981

Stan Collins

The three volumes of the Book of Gobi were compiled in coordination with reunions held at the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base: Book 1, 2002; Book 2, Light and Image, 2006; and Book 3, Mountains and Desert, 2011. Each book has a rough chronology. Stories were submissions by both jumpers and those having an association with the Gobi. Interspersed with the stories are period newspaper articles, comments, and pictures.

All stories were personal responses as to what made the Gobi special or why was the Gobi special. The thirty-eight years of the stories in these three volumes reflect early objectors of conscience, coming-of-age youth, returning military personnel, summer college students, and local area residents. Great truth is reflected in these stories with all their embellishments and pride and with all their devotions to camaraderie and sense of mission.
Book of Gobi, Book 2: Light and Image

Stan Collins

This book is the second in a series of books about the history of Siskiyou Smokejumper Base in Cave Junction, Oregon (a.k.a., Gobi). It consists of the written memories of those who worked at the base. The following is from the book's introduction.

The Book of Gobi, Book 2: Image and Light continues in the manner of Book 1. It is loosely formed around the question, “What made the Gobi special?”...As before, this book is in rough chronology. More pictures have been included with Book 2. Clarifying remarks precede some stories to include necessary information and to maintain a clear order. Contributors have been recognized either by the first year they served at the Base or by their timely association with the Base.
Book of Gobi, Book 3: Mountains and Desert

Stan Collins

This book is the third in a series of books about the history of Siskiyou Smokejumper Base in Cave Junction, Oregon (a.k.a., Gobi). It consists of the written memories of those who worked at the base. The following is from the book's introduction.

The Book of Gobi, Book 3: Mountains and Desert is likely the last in this series. As the two previous books, this one continues to answer the what and the why of the Gobi. In so many of the stories throughout the three volumes, a young person arrives at the Gobi and undergoes a transformation, and in later years tries to explain what happened in those mountains and on that desert.
CPS Smokejumpers 1943 to 1946 Life Stories, Volume I

Roy E. Wenger

This volume contains life stories largely written by former members of the Civilian Public Service (CPS) who served as smokejumpers during World War II. The CPS consisted of conscientious objectors seeking an alternative to military service. This volume includes the life stories of:
John Ainsworth
Delbert Barley
Luke Birkey
James R. Brunk
Benjamin W. Case
George C. Case
Catherine Harder Crocker
Frances Deal
Ray N. Funk
Les Gahler
Bryn Hammarstrom
Willard D. Handrich
Lee Hebel
Ivan E. Holdeman
William S. Laughlin
Lee Miller
Allen J. Moyer
Phillip Neal
Robert H. Painter
Russell Palmer
Theodore Pfeifer
Gregg Phifer
Clarence E. Quay
Walter B. Reimer
Laurel R. Sargent
Earl Schmidt
Charles E. Schumacher
Maynard W. Shetler
Bradshaw Snipes
Philip B. Stanley
Philip R. Thomforde
Edwin A. Vail
Forence Wenger
Marie Ediger Widmer
Arthur J. Wiebe
Floyd F. Yoder
Richard S. Zehr
Ralph Ziegler
CPS Smokejumpers 1943 to 1946 Life Stories, Volume II

Roy E. Wenger

This volume contains life stories largely written by former members of the Civilian Public Service (CPS) who served as smokejumpers during World War II. The CPS consisted of conscientious objectors seeking an alternative to military service. This volume includes the life stories of:
Murray Braden
Ralph C. Belzer
Bill Bristol
Wilmer Carlsen
Clarence W. Dirks
David Flaccus
Ebner J. Friesen
Albert L. Gray, Jr.
Calvin Hilty
Jacob M. Hisey
Merle Hoover
Dorothy and Ray Hudson
Lloyd C. and Jean Hulbert
Vernon S. Hoffman
Alan Inglis
Gus Janzen
David V. Kauffman
Lloyd King
George S. Leavitt
Richard Lehman
Ralph Miller
Sheldon M. Mills
Ray and Dawn Phibbs
Roy L. Piepenburg
Leon and Jeanne Ratzlaff
George H. and Betty Robinson
Abe J. and Lelia Schlabach
Warren C. Shaw
P.B. Stanley
W. Dale Stutzman
Tom Summers
Harold Toews
William P. Weber
Harry D. Weirich
Merlo M. Zimmerman
Norman Zook
CPS Smokejumpers 1943 to 1946 Life Stories, Volume III

Roy E. Wenger

This volume contains life stories largely written by former members of the Civilian Public Service (CPS) who served as smokejumpers during World War II. The CPS consisted of conscientious objectors seeking an alternative to military service. This volume includes the life stories of:
Joe Coffin
Kenneth Diller
Dale Entwistle
T. Richard "Dirk" Flaharty
John E. Garber
Chalmer C. Gillin
Louis Goossen
Albert L. Gray, Jr.
Jonas D. Hershberger
Ivan Holderman
Marshall Jensen
Norman D. Kauffman
Earl Kenagy
Wayne D. Kurtz
Allen Dean Lehman
Ted Lewis
Dennis D. Miller
Laurence R. Morgan
Asa Mundell
Frank E. Neufeld
Lena D. Neufeld
Joseph C. Osborn
Oliver Petty
Gregg Phifer
Walt Reimer
Homer Allen Rice
John Scott
Lowell V. Sharpes
Winton Howard Stucky
Earl Stutzman
Clarence Tieszen
Levi Tschetter
Richard S. Weaver
Roy E. Wenger
David S. Yoder
Loren Zimmerman
Gobi Gossip, 1954-1966

Jim Allen

The Gobi Gossip was an informal publication that Jim Allen (Project Air Officer at the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base from 1953-1964) created. The first Gossip was sent to out in December of 1954 as a review of the preceding fire season. Allen wanted to keep connected with his jumpers with “Just a little news about life here on the Gobi since Fire Season.” That ‘little news’ summarized the season, added news of jumper accomplishments post-season, and provided contact for the crew members. The Gossip was extended to several times a year to keep contact alive.

The Gobi Gossip as a collection helps to accent what made the Gobi special. Allen had a simple way of connecting with jumpers, keeping them informed, and acknowledging their part of the Gobi greatness.
History of the North Cascades Smokejumper Base

William D. Moody

This book provides a brief history of the North Cascades Smokejumper Base, from the origins of smokejumping in the United States to 2002. The initial experiments to test the feasibility of smokejumping in the United States were conducted at the North Cascades base. This history focuses on the development of smokejumping in the United States, providing descriptions of notable events and milestones, as well as individuals important to the history of smokejumping. The book also includes a timeline that extends to 2001, an update to the first edition, and a North Cascades Smokejumper Base roster from 1940-2002.
La Grande Smokejumper Base: A Base Histroy, 1974-1982

National Smokejumper Association

This book provides a brief history of the La Grande Smokejumper Base focusing primarily from the establishment of a permanent base in 1974 to its closure in 1982. In addition to a narrative history, the book includes several photographs, statistics on jumps and staffing levels, and annual base rosters and group portraits.
Parachute Jumping in Forest Fire Control Fall 1939

United States Forest Service

A report on the smokejumping experiments near Winthrop, Washington in 1939. This copy of the report includes memos to regional foresters based in McCall, Boise, and Salmon, Idaho.

Members of the experiment team included Chet and Frank Derry, Harold C. King, Beach Gill, D.P. Godwin, Dick Tuttle, and Walter Anderson. Photographs from the Albert Davies photograph collection are used in the report.
Siskiyou Smokejumper Base: A Proud History, 1943-1981

National Smokejumper Association

This volume describes the history of the Siskiyou Smoekjumper Base at Cave Junction, Oregon from its establishment in 1943 to its closure in 1981 and the development of the Siskiyou Smokejumper Museum. The history is organized into 6 different time periods comprised partly of quotes from past smokejumpers. The book also includes base portraits, a roster of Siskiyou smokejumpers, and the annual number of fire jumps from the base.
Siskiyou Smokejumpers, 1943-1958

United States. Forest Service

This volume contains brief annual reports for activities at the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base. The reports contain crew rosters and lists of jumps. The end of the report contains year-by-year statistics.
Siskiyou Smokejumpers, 1959-1980

United States. Forest Service

This volume contains brief annual reports for activities at the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base. Each report contains a roster of smokejumpers and number of jumps by each member.