Large flashlight from pilot survival vest owned by Charles F. Bolden

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

Charles F. Bolden graduated from the Naval Academy in 1968 and become a Marine Corps aviator, flying more than 100 combat missions over Southeast Asia. In 1980 he was selected a NASA astronaut and flew four space missions. Bolden was eventually appointed the 12th Administrator of NASA. He retired in 2003 as a major general. A drab olive green Fulton MX-991/U flashlight associated with the survival vest (2014.243.34.1) owned by Charles F. Bolden. The flashlight has an angled head and detachable lenses. There is a metal clip on the back of the light and on the PL side there is a three position switch protected by ear guards on either side. There is a clear detachable lens on the angled portion of the light and at the base an additional red tinted lens. The text [CB5603] is etched into the light in several places. The light is fixed to the survival vest via two elastic bands with metal snaps on the PR front of the vest.

Catalog date

ca. 2000

Recorded subjects

African American; Aeronautics; Military

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