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Over the years there have been books, magazine articles and newspapers columns written about Wally Byam which have included information regarding his formal education. Some of these publications have presented undocumented, confusing, or erroneous statements. My relationship to Wally Byam is that of a first cousin once removed. His Father and my Mother's Father were brothers. I want to make sure that erroneous information ceases to exist and that myths and legends are not fabricated. This page is my effort to set the record straight.

Wally was born in Baker, Oregon on July 4, 1896. He graduated from Jefferson High School in Portland, Oregon. He went to Stanford some time in the following years, 1916 to 1922.

A recently published article that claims he (Wallace Davis) came back to Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA after the Second World War and received a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering. The time frame is 1945 to 1947. This article prompted me to contact Stanford directly and learn what I could about Wally's actual record at the University.

In my first contact with Stanford I informed them that at Stanford, Wally studied liberal arts or pre-law, specializing in history. History is assumed to be his major. There is confusion about the years he went to school at Stanford and whether or not he graduated. It is also known that he was a fraternity brother with the campus chapter of Sigma Chi, and later he became a life member of the fraternity. It is also known that he did advertising work with the campus newspaper.

In my contact with Stanford, I mentioned that there may be several names that he might have used. He was not adopted by his stepfather, Dave Davis, but did use his name at Jefferson High, and I believe at Stanford. Here are several possible listings for him during his tenure at Stanford.

Wallace Merle Davis, Wallace Merle Byam, Wallace M. Davis, Wallace M. Byam, Wally M. Byam, Wally M. Davis, Wally Merle Davis, Wally Merle Byam, Wallace Davis, Wallace Byam

Wally Byam is a prominent student from Stanford that made his way in the world and created an everlasting icon. The Airstream Trailer has been heralded throughout the world. It is on permanent exhibit in several American museums.

Stanford's Response

I unfortunately do not have a start date on record for Mr. Byam, but the following information is available:

Wallace Merle Byam (primary name)
Wallace Merle (other name)

Mr. Byam received an AB in History from the and Sciences in June of 1921. We have no record of graduate-level studies.

I hope this helps you in your search,

Michelle Moulton Badger '00, MA '02
Deputy Director, Alumni Center Services

More of Pee Wee's comments

Wally did for some time use his stepfathers surname, Davis. However, note in the first response from Stanford, that Wallace Merle Byam was his primary name. Also note that he used his middle name, Merle. They show that he graduated in history. This is known, at least by his family members. They have no records of Wallace M. Byam returning to Stanford for graduate studies or any other classes.

The second letter confirms an error in research in the recently published article. The Wallace Davis who received an advanced degree, graduated in 1939. This Wallace Davis then returned for his Masters in 1947. He belonged to the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity.

In 1939 Wally Byam (Wallace M. Byam) was busily building Airstreams and was not going to school. Wally was a Sigma Chi, and was a Life Member. I have his Life-Long membership card. I have additional information for his fraternity Sigma Chi. Most noteworthy comment is that Wally was the Business Manager of the School Newspaper. This experience made him a natural to go into the publishing world.

As a family member and one of the few remaining persons that knew Wally, and traveled with him on several Caravans, it is important to leave his legacy as correct as it can be. I hope this clears up the Davis vs Byam issues and the education issues.

The documents provided and the pictures in these photo galleries have been used with permission of Dale Schwamborn. They are intended for personal viewing and enjoyment only and are not to be used in part or in full on other websites, for commercial purpose, or for any other use. For information on this material you can contact Dale at peewee@sierranevadaairstreams.org

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