World War II Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: SCA-0067

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains items used and created by American soldiers stationed abroad during the Second World War. Included are photographs issued by the United States Marine Corps depicting soldiers in combat and illustrated maps printed in the New York Sunday News that depict the advances and movements of the Allied forces, informing the public of progress within the war effort. Additional items including photographs, foreign war-time currency, and pieces of fabric from Japanese uniforms serve as an example of personal mementos collected by American soldiers during their time of service. Correspondance between Colonel Park and Nancy Watson inform on the quotidian aspects of life in America and in service of the infantry division of the US army in the Phillipines (1945-1946). The photographs include images from the Nagasaki bomb aftermath and US troops in battle at Saipan, Tinian, and Tarawa. Also included are paperback books from the Armed Services Edition (1943-1947) and informational pamphlets promoting safety measures and procedures to protect citizens in case of war-related attacks.

Dates

circa 1938-1950

Conditions Governing Access

Appointments to examine materials must be made in advance. Please e-mail QC.archives@qc.cuny.edu for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Conditions Governing Use

Reproductions may be provided to users to support research and scholarship. However, collection use is subject to all copyright laws. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Extent

4.5 Linear Feet (7 boxes: 1 oversize flat box; 5 flat boxes; 2 standard document cases. One map in flat file drawer. )

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of a variety of materials all relating to the Second World War from the American perspective including United States Marine Corps photographs, correspondence between a Colonel stationed in the Phillipines and his romantic partner, illustrated maps printed in the New York Sunday News and one hand drawn map from the early 1940s. Additional items include Armed Services Edition paperback books and Civil Defense literature.

Arrangement

Arranged in 5 series based on format of materials: 1. Illustrated Maps, 1938 -1950 2. Correspondence and letters, 1945 - 1946 3. Photographs and objects, 1943 - 1944 4. Books, Armed Forces Edition publications 1943 - 1947 5. Civil Defense War Effort Literature 1941 - 1946

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Photographs, Correspondence, and Maps were donated to Queens College by William Asadorian, who collected them from estate sales. Asadorian is an alumnus of Queens College (BA in Mathematics 1971, Masters in History in 1973 and Masters in Library and Information Studies, 1973). Based on stamps and other evidence on the leaflets, it appears that the Civil Defense literature was part of the Paul Klapper Library's collection. The provenance of the Armed Services Editions is unclear.

Related Materials

The Queens College World War II Veterans Project Libguide compiles and makes public the currently known names and service records of the roughly 1,900 Queens College students and staff who served in some capacity during the Second World War: https://qc-cuny.libguides.com/WorldWarTwoVetsProject. Professor Bobby Wintermute (History) also conducted extensive oral histories with Queens College World War II veterans.