Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Mark B. Calnon, Sr. collection, 1941-2015
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Calnon, Mark Brooks, 1918-2015
- Title
- Mark B. Calnon, Sr. collection
- Dates
- 1941-2015 (inclusive)19412015
- Quantity
-
5 linear feet
- Collection Number
- MG 541
- Summary
- WWII POW Experience memorabilia including books, photos, framed collages/prints, medals and other items.
- Repository
-
University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
University of Idaho Library
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 2350
Moscow, ID
83844-2350
Telephone: 2088850845
libspec@uidaho.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Mark Brooks Calnon, Sr. was born in Meridian, Idaho on August 21, 1918 to Clarence and Jessie Calnon. After graduating from Meridian High School he moved to Moscow to study agriculture at the University of Idaho. Calnon lived on campus at Willis Sweet Hall.
Calnon graduated from the university in 1940. Instead of waiting to be drafted into World War II, he volunteer for the Army Air Corps. After serving as a weather observer, Calnon found himself training to become a B-17 pilot. When he was sent overseas to England, he flew in the Eight Air Force.
On October 9, 1943, Calnon's B-17 was shot down. From his crew, three were killed and four were found wounded. Calnon himself survived the bailout, only to be taken prisoner by the Germans. Interned at Stalag Luft III, Calnon was witness to "The Great Escape" of 1944. This mass escape was led by Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Roger Bushell. Of the 76 escapees, 73 were captured and half were killed. As the war progressed, the airmen officers held in Stalag Luft III were transferred to Stalag VII-A in Moosburg, Germany. Here conditions worsened. American forces finally liberated Stalag VII-A on April 29, 1945.
After his military service, Calnon married Helen Ann Sutton. They had two children, Kathleen and Mark, Jr. Calnon worked as an agriculture extension agent for U of I in Ada county, managing 4-H programs until his retirement in 1973. He resided at the family farm in Meridian, Idaho until his death on May 11, 2015.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Mark B. Calnon, Sr., was a University of Idaho alum and a United States World War II Veteran. Calnon was shot down and captured by German soldiers. He spent time as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III and Stalag VII-A. He was witness to many terrible things as a POW, but never regretted serving his country. He was diligent about sharing his experiences with anyone who would listen. The materials in this collection and interviews with Calnon were used as part of a Seed Grant, and a documentary film called "Some Lived: An Idaho POW's Story" was made. It aired as part of Idaho's Public Television's series, Idaho Experience. Calnon also interviewed for the Library of Congress' American Folklife Chapter project, Veterans History Project.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
Author, Description or "Title" of item, date. Collection name, collection number, box, folder. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.
Photographer, "Title," date. Collection name, object ID. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.
Alternative Forms Available
Some of the materials in this collection were digitized and made into the digital Mark Brooks Calnon Collection.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: Papers, 1943-1945Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Letters to Helen-Ann Sulton |
1943-1945 |
| 1 | 2 | Letters to Jessie Calnon Jessie Calnon was Mark's mother. She received correspondence from Mark as well as other mothers of his crew.
|
1943-1945 |
| 1 | 3 | Letters to Mark B. Calnon from students |
2000-2001 |
| 1 | 4 |
Some Lived Some Died, It Was Understood By Mark B. Calnon.
|
cira. 1990s |
| 1 | 5 | The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum poster |
undated |
| 1 | 6 | Pilots' Information File |
1943 |
| 1 | 7 | Newspaper Clippings |
undated |
| 1 | 8 | Collected Poetry |
undated |
| 1 | 9 | 20 October 1943 | |
| 1 | 10 | 8 September 1989 | |
| 1 | 11 | 1992 | |
| 1 | 12 | History of the POW-Camp Stalag VII-A |
|
| 1 | 13 | Calnon Family Genealogy |
undated |
| 1 | 14 | 5 August 1992 | |
| 1 | 15 | Those Magnificent Men and Their flying Machine comic |
undated |
| 1 | 16 | Miscellaneous |
Series II: PhotographsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 17 |
Pistol Training Photograph of Calnon receiving officer pistol training.
|
1943 |
| 1 | 17 | 1943 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | Memphis Belle B17 |
1980 |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1980 | |
| 1 | 17 | 1943 | |
| 1 | 17 |
B17 Crew Portrait (photocopy) Original image located in Mark B. Calnon's scrapbook.
|
1980 |
| 1 | 17 | 1943 | |
| 1 | 17 | B-17 in flight Sent to Mark B. Calnon by his friend Dan B.
|
undated |
| 1 | 18 | Reunions Only one reunion photograph (from 1990) was scanned, which can be viewed here: Calnon 384th Reunion.
|
1993-1995 |
| 1 | Photo Album |
Series III: War MemorabiliaReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 19 | Cloth Map of Germany (2) |
undated |
| 1 | 384th Bomb Group hat |
9 October 1943 | |
| 1 | 1943 | ||
| 1 | 1943 | ||
| 1 | 1945 | ||
| 1 | 1993 | ||
| 1 | 1943 | ||
| 1 | 1943 | ||
| 1 | 1993 | ||
| 1 | Scrapbook |
||
| 1 | Stalag Luft III map (rolled) |
Series IV: Publications, 1946-2012Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
Books |
1946-2001 | ||
| Box | |||
| 2 | 50th Anniversary: Boeing B-17, Flying Fortress 1935-1985 By Peter M. Bowers. A Museum of Flight publication.
|
1985 | |
| 2 | A Wartime Log: Covering Stalag Luft III and Stalag VII-A By Joel H. Tutt. Wilks Publishing Company, Inc.
|
1985 | |
| 2 | Air War Europa: America's Air War Against Germany in Europa and North Africa 1942-1945: Chronology By Eric Hammel. Pacifica Press.
|
1994 | |
| 2 | As Briefed... By Walter B. Owens. Passed for publication by Etousa.
|
1946 | |
| 2 | B-17: Fortress at War By Roger A. Freeman. Published by Ian Allan, Ltd.
|
1977 | |
| 2 | Clipped Wings Published by R. W. Kimball. Narrated by O. M. Chiesl.
|
1948 | |
| 2 | Flying Fortress: The Illustrated Biography of the B17s and the Men Who Fled Them By Edward Jablonski. Published by Doubleday & Company, Inc.
|
1965 | |
| 2 | Fortresses of the Big Triangle First By Cliff T. Bishop. Published by East Anglia Books. Signed by author and includes letter addressed to Mark B. Calnon.
|
1986 | |
| 2 | In the Presence of Mine Enemies: An American Chaplain in World War II German Prison Camps By Chaplain (Major) Eugene L. Daniel, Jr. (Aust-Retired). Printed by by Colonial Lithograph, Inc. Signed by author, a POW of Stalag Luft III and VII-A.
|
1985 | |
| 2 | Maybe I'm Dead By Joe Klaas. Published by the Macmillan Company.
|
1955 | |
| 2 | Memories of the 384th Bombardment Group (H) By Ken Decker. Removed from original blue 3-ring binder for preservation.
|
2001 | |
| 2 | POW Odyssey: Recollections of Center Compound, Stalag Luft III and the Secret German Peace Mission in World War II By Major General Delmar T. Spivey USAF. Printed by Colonial Lithograph, Inc.
|
1984 | |
| 2 | Raiders of the Reich: Air Battle Western Europe: 1942-1945 By Martin W. Bowman and Theo Boiten. Published by Motorbooks Interntaionl Publishers and Wholesalers.
|
1996 | |
| 2 | Raiding the Reich: The Allied Strategic Bombing Offensive in Europe By Roger A. Freeman. Published by Arms and Armour Press.
|
1997 | |
Recollections of a World War II B-17 Bomber Pilot By Johnny Butler.
|
1996 | ||
| Box | |||
| 2 | Sitting It Out: A World War II POW Memoir By David Westheimer. Published by Rice University Press.
|
1992 | |
| 2 | Stalag Luft III: The Secret Story By Arthur A. Durand. Published by Louisiana State University Press.
|
1988 | |
| 3 | The 8th Air Force Album: The Story of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in WW II By Lt. Col. John H. Woolnough. Printed by Newsfoto Yearbooks.
|
1978 | |
| 3 | The Fall of Fortresses By Elmer Bendiner. Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons.
|
1980 | |
| 3 | The Interrogator: The Story of Hans-Joachim Scharff, Master Interrogator of the Luftwaffee By Raymond F. Toliver. Published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
|
1997 | |
| 3 | The Mighty Eighth: A History of Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force By Roger A. Freeman. Published by Orion Books.
|
1970 | |
| 3 | The Shoe Leather Express - Book II: Luftgangsters Marching Across Germany By Joseph P. O'Donnell. Printed by Triangle Reprocenter-Hamilton.
|
1986 | |
| 3 | Through the Eye of the Needle: 68 First-Person Accounts of Combat, Evasion and Capture by World War II Airmen Edited by Joe Consolmagno. Published by Stalag Lugt III Prisoners of War by Gateway Press, Inc.
|
1992 | |
War Pilot of Orange By Bram Vanderstok. Published by Pictorial Histories Publishing Co.
|
1987 | ||
Magazines |
1990-2012 | ||
| Box | Folder | ||
| 3 | 1 | Imperial War Museum, Duxford Published by the Imperial War Museum.
|
1992 |
| 3 | 1 | Serenade to the Big Bird: The Saga of the B-17 Flying Fortress (vol. 1) |
1990 |
| 3 | 1 | Shanghai - National Geographic Article "U. S. Eighth Air Force, the Wings of War" located on page 90.
|
March 1994 |
| 3 | 1 | The American Legion Magazine (vol. 93, no. 5) Article "The Flying Fortress of WW2" located on page 20.
|
November 1972 |
| 3 | 1 | Warbird Tech Series: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (vol. 7) By Frederick A. Johnsen.
|
2001 |
| 3 | 2 | Memories Newsletter (vol. 1-2, 5) |
2000 |
| 3 | 3 | Ex-POW Bulletin (vol. 48, no. 9) |
September 1991 |
| 3 | 4 | The AF News (vol. 94, no. 2) |
May 1994 |
| 3 | 4 | The AF News (vol. 7, no. 4) |
December 2007 |
| 3 | 4 | The AF News (vol. 8, no. 4) |
December 2008 |
| 3 | 4 | The AF News (vol. 9, no. 1) |
March 2009 |
| 3 | 4 | The AF News (vol. 10, no. 1) |
March 2010 |
| 3 | 4 | The AF News (vol. 10, no. 4) |
December 2010 |
| 3 | 4 | The AF News (vol. 11, no. 1) |
March 2011 |
| 3 | 4 | The AF News (vol. 12, no. 2) |
June 2012 |
Series V: VideocassettesReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 3 | The Village That Met Them |
undated |
| 3 | 100th Bombg. |
undated |
| 3 | Clipped Wings |
undated |
| 3 | Canadian Gardener (WWII) 30 minutes.
|
undated |
| 3 | Ball Turret Gunner |
undated |
| 3 | Those Fine Young Men |
undated |
| 3 | Stalag Luft III - Former POWS Appell Reunion Omni Hotel, Norfolk, VA.
|
27 April 1990 |
| 3 | The Memphis Belle Directed by William Wyler.
|
undated |
| 3 | Target for Today Black-and-white, approx. 92 min.
|
undated |
Series VI: Oversize MaterialsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| object | |||
| Oversize | 1 |
Stalag Luft III memorial poster Framed. Produced by Coors Brewing Company.
|
1943 |
| Oversize | 2 | Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress Framed. By Joe Milich of Lakewood, CO.
|
1989 |
| Oversize | 3 | Fortress Engaged The poster states:
21,000 feet over Germany, 6 March 1944, B-17's of the 100th Bomb Group intercepted head-on by Messerschmidt 109G's. In commemoration the Golden Anniversary of the B-17, "Flying Fortress," July 1935-July 1985.
|
1986 |
| Oversize | 4 | Moosburg collage Framed. Various photos depicting scenes of the internment camp and libreration in Moosburg, Germany.
|
|
| Oversize | 5 | Internment camp collage Framed. Various photographs depicting scenes from an internment camp.
|
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
Finding aid prepared by Sara Szobody.
2022
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
