World War, 1939-1945 -- African Americans

Scope and Contents The collection consists of one photograph album that documents the experiences of an unidentified African American soldier in the Philippines towards the end of, or immediately after, World War II, around the year 1945. It includes snap shots, published commercial photographs, and postcards. The photographs primarily feature African American soldiers and also include local Filipinos and enemy combatants. The images document both work and leisure among the soldiers. It also includes the...

Scope and Contents The collection consists of one photograph album and loose photographic prints which belonged to Leon Biles, Jr. Biles was an African American U.S. Army soldier and the photographs document his military service from 1944 to 1947. The album consists of photographs taken or collected by Biles while serving stateside during World War II.The photographs are extensively captioned and include images of Biles' family in Minnesota, friends, fellow soldiers and sailors (some of whom are...

Scope and Contents The collection consists of military records and photographs of Alonza E. Brown, a African American who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. The collection includes his “Honorable Discharge” certificate (plus copy); “Separation Qualification Record” describing his military occupations (Engineer, Basic and Truck Driver, Heavy), training (Cooks School, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.), and civilian occupation (cook’s helper at Brown’s Restaurant in Philadelphia); and “Enlisted Record and Report...

Scope and Contents Four-page handwritten letter on USO letterhead from Charles R. Winthrop to his wife Mary Winthrop. At the time Winthrop was serving with the 372nd Infantry, a segregated African American regiment then serving in World War II. With original envelope with "Idle Gossip Sinks Ships" stamped to front. Winthrop served as a Chaplain and mentions staying busy with marrying six couples and several conferences in the preceding month. Of special note is his mentioning that he will try to see Paul...