The American West Center at the University of Utah is involved in a nationwide effort to preserve the stories of men and women who witnessed the events of World War II, and is responsible for the oral history project, "Saving the Legacy: an oral history of Utah's World War II veterans."
Saving the Legacy collection contains items donated by World War II veterans in conjunction with their oral history interviews, conducted by the American West Center, located in the collection "Saving the Legacy oral history project" (ACCN 2070).
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Transferred from American West Center from 2004-2009.
Folders 1-11 of box 1 were donated in July 2004. Folders 12-19 of box 1 and boxes 2-4 were donated in October 2005. Folders 1 and 2 of box five, and boxes six and seven were donated in June and August 2006. Boxes 8, 9, and folders 1-2 of box 10 were donated in February 2007. Folders 3-20 of box 10 and folders 1-5 of box 11 were donated in August 2007. Folders 6-11 of box 11 were donated in December 2007. Folders 12-18 of box 11 were donated in April 2008 and February 2009. Box 12 was donated in 2012.
See also the
Processed by Karen Carver from 2004-2009.
Processed by Julia Huddleston in 2018.
See also the
Contains a 165-page typescript entitled "World War II: A Journal," detailing Brim's life from the day Pearl Harbor was attacked to the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Topics covered include Brim's enlistment and training in the Army Air Corps, his marriage, and life as a B-17 bomber pilot in the United States and wartime England.
Contains an outline of experiences during World War II.
Photocopies of letter of commendation and separation papers.
Photocopies of photographs of Ms. Gould in uniform.
Contains a copy of the U.S. Army pamphlet, .
Photocopy of a telex from General Douglas McArther to the Japanese Imperial Government.
"Feeding the Hungry: A World War II Experience," by Mel Lewis.
A brief summary of Lindquist's World War II service.
Correspondence, photocopies of photographs, and an army questionnaire related to Peterson's war experiences.
News articles related to the treatment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.
Newsletters, certificates, news clippings, and correspondence related to the Merchant Marine.
"My War Years," and "Farewell to Frankfurt: A Day in the Life of a U.S. Army Bomber Pilot," by Loyd Thomas Adamson.
"Group History: 1104 Engineer Combat Group," news clippings (1940s), "Service Biography," and photocopies of photographs taken in England and Germany during the war.
Correspondence between Bilello and junior high school students regarding his war experiences.
Nine-page memoir of war experiences.
"Follow the Gleam: The Experiences of Ray H. Church, An American Marine Prisoner in World War II," details Church's imprisonment from the fall of Guam three days after Pearl Harbor to the surrender of Japan. Also included are news clippings.
Contains "The U.S. Army Campaigns in World War II: Guadalcanal," "The Battle of Saipan--Final Curtain," and "The Use of Atabrine to Fight Malaria During World War II."
"A Pilot's Story," by Robert B. Clay. Clay was a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III.
Photocopies of photographs, and a two-page speech entitled "Mission One--Recap."
Program for Veterans Memorial Services in Springville Evergreen Cemetary and a thirteen-page memoir.
Two-page handwritten account of Donkin's wartime service.
"Combat Diary of Lt. Harold Dorfman, Lead Flight Navigator 448th Bomb Group." Contains diary excerpts, photographs, documents, and news clippings detailing the activities of the 448th Bomb Group, 20th Combat Wing, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, stationed in Seething, England (1944-1945).
"Die amerikanische Offensive im Winter 1944/45 in Altforweiler," an article published by a resident of Altforweiler, Germany, and sent to Ellsworth.
Twenty-three page memoir of Free's war experiences in the Pacific written for his children.
Contains a photocopy of Fullmer's article, "A Citizen Soldier's Tale," published in the bulletin of the 69th Infantry Division. Fullmer served in Europe.
Photocopy of a photo album detailing Fullmer's service in various stateside army bases.
Photographs and discharge papers. Gurr served in the Pacific.
Contains photocopies of a photograph, Hart's discharge papers, and two articles written by Hart: "Some Thoughts on the Catastrophe of 11 September 2001, by a former Naval Intelligence Officer," and "World War II Service of Edward L. Hart."
"Memories of an Army Nurse in World War II, 1944-1945," details Hyatt's experience a cadet nurse, through her Pacific service, up to her army discharge while on Okinawa.
Photocopy of photograph of Lillian as Miss Manti of 1929 and an employee newsletter for the Reliance Manufacturing Company of Manti, Utah.
"The Story of a Great Man We Call 'Dad,'" and "The Sinking of the ."
"The World War II Experience of Stuart Jardine," aboard the .
Articles and news clippings pertaining to the experiences of Japanese-American soldiers in World War II.
"Personal History of Keith Kelvin Kemp" includes photographs and reminiscences of service in Europe during World War II.
Handwritten document entitled "A Record of My Basic Training and Overseas Service while in the Army of the U.S.A. May 11, 1944 to Aug. 27, 1945."
"World War II Memories of David E. Lofgren."
Contains three articles: "Maginot Forts: Simserhof Falls," "Freudenberg Farm," and "To Sarrebourg: Regiment Spearheads 15th Corps Advance." Also contains a photocopy of Madsen's 2003 obituary.
Contains photocopies of Mahoney's discharge papers, speeches, news clippings, excerpts from letters written to Ruth Mahoney, portions of journals and an autobiography.
News clipping entitled "The Mormon Battalion Marches Once More," and copies of photographs.
Photocopies of two snapshots.
"Important Events in the Life of Wayne A. Omer: The War Years, 1941-1945," details Omer's esperiences as a Marine Corps pilot stationed in the Pacific.
Photograph of "Riva Ridge," the site of a battle in Italy.
"Former War Buddies are Reunited in Price," a story about Rachele and Gust Piantes was written by Arva Smith. Also contains a photocopy of a photograph of Rachele and his dog taken when he returned from the army.
Brief description of Robison's service in the Pacific. He was in the Marine Corps.
Photographs of structures built by army engineers.
"Impressions and Experiences of an Air Corps GI in the Mediterranean Theater of World War II," Seegmiller's account of his experiences between 1942 and 1945, taken from his diaries. Bound volume includes photographs.
Information about the 379th Bomb Group.
Discharge records and short memoir.
"My Life and Times in the U.S. Marine Corps (and other places...)" by Cpl. Dean G. Winters.
Contains "Not All Heroes Get Honored," "The Mythology of the Liberal Gods," "2010--Point of No Return," "Technology and the Limitation of International Conflict," "Seven Sinners of Shiloh," "50th Anniversary of the Korean War," and "The Two F's of Modern Living." Also included are correspondence between Walker and various governmental agencies.
Contains an oversize print image of soldiers on Omaha Beach. The number on one landing craft is "P77-7."
Photocopies of sketches of military scenes by Oliekan.
Contains photocopies of a group photograph and operations documents related to Herbert's service with the 49th Bombardment Wing.
Contains a 19-page transcript of Norby's autobiography (incomplete). Norby, born in Salt Lake City, served in the Army Air Corps as an engineer and top turret gunner on B17s. He was stationed in Polebrook, England. After his plane crashed near Muswangen, Switzerland, he was taken into custody by the Swiss Guard and held for several days before being turned over to the American Embassy.
Contains a typewritten memoir of Pixton's experiences in World War II. He was ordered to England as an amphibious warfare specialist in March 1942. He became part of the 5th Engineer Special Brigade, South Wales, and helped plan the invasion of Normandy. He landed on Beach Easy Red at noon on D-Day, and was put in charge of the 348th Engineer Combat Battalion. He later served as a field artillery instructor and Chief of the Advanced Tactics Section of the Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He finished up his war service as a political/military officer at the Pentagon.
Contains a bound copy of Rampton's memoir, . Rampton served as a Captain in the Army and was stationed in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was on Kauai and the Phillipine Island where he developed amoebic dysentery and jaundice.
Contains a copy of "Melvin Erickson Thayne: His Life and Times."
Photocopy of a booklet compiled by members of the 442 during World War II and reprinted by the San Francisco Company K Club.
Contains photocopies of three photographs of Bleggi, two of them in uniform.
Contains a copy of a studio portrait of Clay in uniform.
Contains photocopies of photographs, news clippings, and a letter from United States Senator Wallace F. Bennett to Epperson's wife, Beth.
Contains a 37-page transcript of "...And That Bug Went Up My Nose: A World War II Memoir," written by Foster. (Note: pages 30 through 35 were not included in the transcript when donated.)
Contains a photocopy of a letter to Gillen from George Albert Smith, J. Ruben Clark, Jr., and David O. McKay (the first Presidency of the LDS church).
Contains copies of Gillen's discharge papers, photographs taken during World War II, and a section of his autobiography dealing with the war years.
Photocopy of a 3-page typescript entitled "Some Experiences in the Army."
Contains a photocopy of a notebook kept by Hebert detailing his missions with the 15th Air Force from April to August 1944.
Contains a copy of Parkin's written recollection of his experiences in the Navy during World War II.
Contains a photocopy of an article written by Robert Gehrke for the entitled "A Legacy of Honor: Bataan Death March survivor knows the power of hope."
Contains photocopies of news articles, "V-mail," office documents, and published histories of the 10th Mountain Division.
Photocopy of a three-page synopsis of his experience at Los Alamos during World War II, written for a reunion of the Marine 4th Division at Bear Lake, Utah.
News article entitled "Hiroshima, Nagasaki A-bombs were necessary," written by John D. Marks Sr.
Photocopy of one page of photographs taken in the Pacific from what appears to be an army publication.
Contains a copy of "The Longest Night by Richard Stimson, as told to John Edwards." Stimson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1925. He attended school in Kelso, California, while his father worked on the railroad. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1943 and was sent to Stanford to study engineering in the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). He was assigned to the 100th Infantry Division, 3rd Platoon, and fought in Europe on the French-German line. Wounded in a fight for Suicide Hill, he was evacuated and ended up at the 102nd General Hospital near Oxford, England. He received a Bronze Star forty years after the war.
Thirty-three page typescript entitled "This is my History," written by Tallman.
Photocopy of five page summary of Wedig's service history. He was attached to the 96th Signal Battalion from 1942 to 1945, and attained the rank of Sergeant Tec 4.
Contains a seventy-one page memoir of Woolsey's experiences in the Pacific Theater of Operations in World War II. He was assigned to the , where he served as a radioman and gunner on torpedo bombers, completing ninety combat flights.
War Journal (Pacific Theater). Rees (1912-1985) was born in Scipio, Utah, and educated in Salt Lake City. He received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Utah, and a PhD in Biology from Stanford University. Rees recounts his experiences in New Guinea in this 133-page handwritten journal.
Contains a copy of Beam's 185-page autobiography, "In Retrospect: Looking Back at My Life."
Contains a bound copy of several biographical essays.
Contains a news clipping and personal essay.
Photocopies of military papers.
Photocopies of military papers.
Photocopies of military papers.
Photocopies of mimiographed news prepared by members of the crew of the .
Personal recollections of crew members.
Photocopy of the declassified ship's log.
Official document kept by D. L. Marineau, commanding officer.
Contains a history of the 200th Coast Artillery and a chronology of the New Mexico National Guard.
Contains copies of photographs taken by Cha during his service in Italy and North Africa, and news clipppings.
Contains an unpublished manuscript entitled "Military Life of Douglas Woodford Hardy."
Bound volume entitled "Autobiography of Alan William Layton."
Pamphlet entitled "509th Composite Group, First Atomic Bombardment, Field Order #13."
Unpublished 9-page manuscript entitled "War Years in the U. S. Navy."
Contains a photocopy of Shaffer's scrapbook compiled during his service in the Pacific and copies of logbook entries concerning the Bonin Islands occupation force.
Contains transcripts of proceedings investigating the deaths of Allied prisoners in the Bonin Islands.
Pamphlets related to the service of Japanese Americans in World War II.
Photocopy of personnel rosters taken by Richard Campbell Roberts.
Brief description of World War II service from 1939 to 1945.
Two photographs of Schneller with ships, "USS Wisconsin" and "As Yanks Greet Miss Liberty."
Letter and article about Sharp and his four brothers.
Discharge papers and copy of a one-page article by Mrs. C. E. Skimore Jr.
Article about a visit to a Clearfield High history class.
Booklet of photographs, obituary, and funeral program.
"C' EST LA GUERRE," an English typescript of Hausner's experiences in World War I.
"To Japan with Encouragement and Hope," a 94-page booklet describing Jacobsen's experiences as a Japanese POW.
Photograph, biographical sketch, and timeline of military service.
Bound copy of a scrapbook, life histories, and war experiences.
Handwritten comments on the war.
Newsletters, action report for the Battle of Samar, news clippings.
Contains the book "The World War II Years 1941-1947 and "My Sentimental Journey Back in Time," by Gale H. Patterson Jr.
Contains the book "From Foggia to Freedom," by Brandon Soale