Dates: 1932–1996
The World War II Collection contains historical materials relating to the Second World War that have been donated to the Truman Library. Included are correspondence, reports, printed items, scrapbooks, and memorabilia. Most of these materials were originally opened for research as part of the Miscellaneous Historical Documents Collection (MHDC) or the General Historical Documents Collection (GHDC).
Size: 2 linear feet, 7 linear inches (about 4,800 pages).
Access: Open.
Copyright: Documents created by U.S. government employees in the course of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyright interest in other materials presumably belongs to the creators of those materials, or their heirs.
Processed by: Lani Kirsch and Randy Sowell (2009); Jan Davis, Randy Sowell and David Clark (2017); Randy Sowell (2024).
[ Top of the page | Administrative Information | Collection Description | Series Descriptions | Folder Title List ]
The World War II Collection consists of materials relating to World War II that were donated to the Truman Library. The materials vary from servicemen’s correspondence to scrapbooks assembled by civilians to personal papers recovered from the office of Nazi leader Hermann Goering.
The documents can be loosely divided into the following categories: correspondence, printed materials, and memorabilia collected by American servicemen and civilians; political documents; materials concerning the end of the war on both the German and the Japanese fronts; information on home-front war production; and German documents written or compiled by Nazi leaders. The materials collected by American servicemen and civilians include: scrapbooks on Iwo Jima, the Potsdam Conference, and the war crimes trials at Nuremberg; correspondence with servicemen; thank-you messages from President Harry S. Truman; the records of the 58th Bomb Wing Association; the memoirs of Justus “Jock” Lawrence, a member of General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s staff; and the newspapers or newsletters of military units. The political documents include memoranda from former President Herbert Hoover to President Truman and a draft of President Franklin Roosevelt’s message to Congress asking for a declaration of war against Japan. Materials on the end of the war include: President Truman’s proclamation announcing the surrender of Germany; Emperor Hirohito’s proclamation announcing the surrender of Japan; and a certificate of attendance at the Japanese surrender ceremonies in Tokyo Bay. Home-front production is documented in reports, statements, and printed materials relating to the Petroleum Administration, the Brewer Aeronautical Corporation, and the Lake City Ordnance Plant. Among the documents written or compiled by Nazi leaders are materials obtained from Goering’s personal files by the American journalist William Hillman; the last will and testament of Adolf Hitler; and a complaint written by war criminal Rudolf Hess in his cell in Nuremberg.
The collection contains both original documents and copies, arranged alphabetically by donor name or topic. Most of these materials were originally opened for research as part of the Miscellaneous Historical Documents Collection (MHDC) or the General Historical Documents Collection (GHDC). The MHDC and GHDC numbers are included in the folder title list.
Related manuscript collections at the Truman Library include the papers of Harry S. Truman (Official File, President’s Secretary’s Files), Dean Acheson, Mark Andrews, Paul Baade, Eleanor Bontecou, and James Quirk.
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1-6 |
SUBJECT FILE, 1932-1996 Printed materials, scrapbooks, correspondence, reports, memorabilia and other items. Arranged alphabetically. |
Box 1
- Abraham, Herman D.—Message from President Truman Thanking Him for His Service in the Merchant Marine, October 4, 1946 [MHDC 719]
- Alkire, I. B.—Private and Political Wills of Adolf Hitler, Correspondence with Dr. Otto Graber, and Materials Concerning the Nazi War Crime Trials [GHDC 13]
- AMVETS—Photographs and Information Concerning the Memorial Carillon Program and the USS Arizona Memorial
- Anderson, Arthur Grant—Description of First Color News Photo Transmitted by Radio, From the Potsdam Conference [MHDC 715]
- Anderson, Dennis: Booklet Relating to His Service as a U.S. Marine in China
- Bentley, Frank—Telephone Directory and Pass Issued to Members of the U.S. Delegation, Potsdam Conference, 1945 [MHDC 262]
- Bethlen, Count and Countess Paul: Letter of Thanks for Assistance Provided to U.S. POWs in Hungary During the War [GHDC 132]
- Bomb Blast: Scrapbook of Weekly Newspaper of the 47th Wing, U.S. Army Air Forces in Italy, 1944-45
- Bourke, John E.—Brewster Aeronautical Corporation Presentation Book [GHDC 299]
- Brown, Alan—“Report on the Activities of the Plant Facilities Section, Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, October 1940 to July 1946” [GHDC 207]
- Brown, James E.—Messages Relating to the Surrender of Germany, May 1945 [GHDC 209]
- Bryant, M. B.—Typhoon Express, Navy Newsletters Announcing Surrender of Japan, August 1945 [MHDC 686]
- Carter, Gail S.—Copies of Correspondence Concerning his Work With the Allied Reparations Commission in Germany, 1945
- Caster, Doris—Fred Caster’s Account of His Experiences During the Battle of Bulge
- Chid, August—Letter to His Mother About His Experiences in the War
- Chrisinger, Richard—Materials Concerning the Battleship Missouri and the 50th Anniversary of V-J Day [GHDC 301]
- Clinton, Bill—Message Marking the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of V-J Day at the Truman Library, August 15, 1995 [MHDC 761]
- Covington and Burling—“The Atlantic & Pacific News-Times,” A Collection of the Firm’s Communications with its Employees in the Armed Forces, 1942-1946 [GHDC 260] [1 of 2]
Box 2
- Covington and Burling—“The Atlantic & Pacific News-Times,” A Collection of the Firm’s Communications with its Employees in the Armed Forces, 1942-1946 [GHDC 260] [2 of 2]
- Crain, Lawrence W.—“Truman in Tabriz: A Beloved Liberator” [MHDC 645]
- Curran, Captain John J., Jr.-Draft of Newspaper Story About Breendonk, a Nazi Prison Camp in Belgium
- Ehrlich, Nancy Mills—Papers of John E. L. Mills Concerning His Military Service During World War II [GHDC 287]
- Eller, Private Ned—A Rookie in Roberts, Camp Roberts, California, 1942
- Ferguson, Robert—Transcript of Interview with Roger Dieudonne, Former Employee of the Aircraft War Production Council, April 20, 1996 [GHDC 309]
- 58th Bomb Wing Association—Materials Relating to Reunions, the 20th Air Force, and the B-29 [GHDC 297] [1 of 2]
- 58th Bomb Wing Association—Materials Relating to Reunions, the 20th Air Force, and the B-29 [GHDC 297] [2 of 2]
- Fishtine, Stanley H.—“Another Point of View: A Report on The Abandonment of the Jews: America and the Holocaust, 1941-1945 by David S. Wyman (1985)” [GHDC 271] [1 of 2]
Box 3
- Fishtine, Stanley H.—“Another Point of View: A Report on The Abandonment of the Jews: America and the Holocaust, 1941-1945 by David S. Wyman (1985)” [GHDC 271] [2 of 2]
- Furney, Bob—"History of World War II," Supplement to the Pueblo Star-Journal and Sunday Chieftain, October 21, 1945 [GHDC 281]
- Gibler, Gordon B.: "Amchitka: A World War II Poem"
- Glason, Stephen—Account of the Meeting Between President Truman and King George VI Aboard the H.M.S. Renown, August 8, 1945 [MHDC 906]
- Hand, Samuel—Memorandum by Samuel Rosenman from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Regarding Russia’s Claim to the Kurile Islands, January 29, 1946 [GHDC 109]
- Herbert Hoover Library—Four Memoranda from Herbert Hoover to President Truman Concerning Food Problems and the War Against Japan, May 30, 1945 [MHDC 813]
- Heuss, Dr. Theodor: Newspaper Editorial on Defeat of Nazi Germany, Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung, Aug. 29, 1945 [MHDC 727]
- Hillman, William—Personal Files of Hermann Goering and Related Materials [GHDC 151] [1 of 2]
- Hillman, William—Personal Files of Hermann Goering and Related Materials [GHDC 151] [2 of 2]
- Hinners, Robert—Program and Launching Memorandum for the Battleship Missouri, 1944 [MHDC 8]
- Hitler, Adolf--Book of Reproductions Featuring His Marriage Certificate, Private Will, and Political Testament
- Ickes, Harold—Statements and Addresses as Petroleum Administrator for War, 1943-1944 [GHDC 285]
- Japan—Documents Relating to the Japanese Surrender [GHDC 210]
- Japan—Documents Used in Training for the Military Occupation of Japan, U.S. Army School of Military Government, 1944 [1 of 2]
Box 4
- Japan—Documents Used in Training for the Military Occupation of Japan, U.S. Army School of Military Government, 1944 [2 of 2]
- Jarrett, James A.—The Railsplitter, Newspaper of the U.S. Army’s 84th Division in Germany, With Article on President Truman’s Visit, July 27, 1945 [MHDC 896]
- Keclik, Glenn: Purple Heart Citation and Certificate Honoring His Death in Combat
- Kessler, Seymour M.—Autographed Typescript from Autobiography of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery [GHDC 95]
- Keyes, Lt. Gen. Geoffrey: Papers Relating to His Service as Commander of the U.S. Seventh Army, 1945-46
- Kirkpatrick, Melvin E.—Draft of Cable from the USS Augusta and Belgian Newspaper Article on President Truman’s Trip to Europe, 1945 [MHDC 943]
- Lake City Ordnance Plant—Plant Newspapers, Lake City Bulletin and Lake City Tracer, With Related Items, 1941-1945 [GHDC 288] [1 of 3]
- Lake City Ordnance Plant—Plant Newspapers, Lake City Bulletin and Lake City Tracer, With Related Items, 1941-1945 [GHDC 288] [2 of 3]
- Lake City Ordnance Plant—Plant Newspapers, Lake City Bulletin and Lake City Tracer, With Related Items, 1941-1945 [GHDC 288] [3 of 3]
- Lawrence, Carlene—Personal Memoirs of Justus “Jock” Lawrence Concerning His Work in Hollywood and His Service on General Eisenhower’s Staff During World War II [GHDC 289] [1 of 2]
- Lawrence, Carlene—Personal Memoirs of Justus “Jock” Lawrence Concerning His Work in Hollywood and His Service on General Eisenhower’s Staff During World War II [GHDC 289] [2 of 2]
Box 5
- Liberty, Eugene—U.S. Army Signal Corps Messages Relating to the Surrender of Japan [GHDC 305]
- Livermore, Shaw—Memoranda Concerning Transition to Postwar Economy, 1944-1951 [GHDC 124]
- Lucas, Ralph—“Japanese Naval Vessels at the End of War,” [GHDC 296]
- Manila Chronicle: Editions Announcing the Surrender of Japan, September 2, 1945 [MHDC 506]
- Mantooth, Helen—"Pictorial Arrowhead: Occupation of Japan by Second Marine Division" [GHDC 298]
- Martin, Ronald G.—Coded Surrender Message Sent to the Japanese, August 1945 [MHDC 740]
- Melby, Everett K.—Reports on Wartime Conditions in Holland and Germany [GHDC 190]
- Meyer, David W.—Papers Relating to a Photo Album on Nazi Atrocities that was Presented to President Truman in 1945 [2010 accretion]
- More Fun En Route: Booklet of Games for Members of the Armed Forces, 1944 [MHDC 732]
- National Archives—Documents Relating to the Last Will of Adolf Hitler [MHDC 350]
- National Archives—Entries from the Log of the Battleship Missouri, September 2, 1945 [GHDC 146]
- National Archives—Proclamation by Emperor Hirohito Announcing the Surrender of Japan [GHDC 145]
- Naumann, Mark—U.S. Army Signal Corps Messages Relating to the Surrender of Japan [GHDC 308]
- Newman, William—“Petroleum Administration for War: Plan of Organization,” 1944 [GHDC 181]
- O’Donnell, George P.—Papers Relating to His Service as a Merchant Marine During World War II [GHDC 282]
- Page, Howard W.—Materials Relating to His Service with the Petroleum Administration for War, 1942-1945 [GHDC 178]
- Paul, Robert L.—Publications for Enlisted Men and Other Materials from the Pacific Theater [GHDC 42]
- Pearlstein, Joseph: Certificate in Memory of His Death in a Japanese POW Camp, 1945
- Powell, W. Royce—Letter to President Truman Accompanying First-Edition Copy of Warships of the World by Roger Kafka and Roy Pepperburg, May 12, 1945 [MHDC 886]
- Price, Robert—Information on Telephone Communications Involving President Roosevelt, President Truman, and Prime Minister Churchill [MHDC 509]
- Proclamation Announcing the Surrender of Germany, May 8, 1945
- Redfield, Major Dean Austin: Mock Citation for Raid on Suntory Whiskey Factory, Tokyo, Japan, September 1945
- Roosevelt, Franklin D.—Third Draft of Message to Congress Asking for a Declaration of War Against Japan, December 8, 1941 [GHDC 233]
- Rubinfine, Joe—Proclamation Announcing the Surrender of Germany, Signed by President Truman, May 8, 1945 [MHDC 913]
Box 6
- Sherman, Irving—Scrapbook on Iwo Jima Battle and Flag-Raising
- Shrier, Elizabeth--War Chronology: Greater East Asia War and Two Sketchbooks from Occupied Japan After the War
- Slaughter, W. Arthur—Correspondence with Robert Sherrod Concerning the Battle of Tarawa, 1989-1991 [MHDC 703]
- Stacey, L. B.—Dispatch from the Office of War Information to U.S. Military Units Regarding the Death of President Roosevelt, April 13, 1945 [GHDC 162]
- Sterner, Vincent A: Papers Relating to His Service in the U.S. Army Air Forces, Pacific
- Stoker, Mrs. Elspeth—German Arbeitsbuch (Work Permit Book), With Related Items [GHDC 321]
- Suhr, Mrs.—Scrapbook on the End of the War
- Tainter, Jeremiah B.—Scrapbook on the End of the War
- Tainter, Jeremiah B.—Scrapbook on the Potsdam Conference
- Truman, Harry S.--Messages to Veterans Thanking Them for Their Service in the Armed Forces During World War II
- Truman, J. C.—Certificate of Presence at Surrender Ceremonies, Tokyo Bay, September 2, 1945 [MHDC 621]
- Truman, J. C.—The Missourian, Ship Newspaper of the Battleship Missouri, March 3, 1945 [GHDC 319]
- Wallace, Mrs. Harold—Letter Written By Electrician’s Mate Harold Wallace Aboard the Battleship Missouri, September 2, 1945 [GHDC 60]
- War Criminals and the End of the War—Scrapbook
- War Relief Control Board—Documents Regarding World War II and Korean War Relief Programs [GHDC 134]
- Weant, Earl B.: Letter from Senator Harry S. Truman Regarding His Son, Private First Class William Weant, USMC, March 31, 1943 [MHDC 733]
- Western Historical Manuscript Collection—Documents from the Forrest C. Donnell Papers Concerning the Launching of the Battleship Missouri, 1944 [MHDC 4]
- Wichner, Jerry—Telegram from King George VI to President Truman and the President’s Reply, August 2, 1945 [MHDC 644]
- Williams, Alonzo—Materials Relating to His Service in the Armed Forces During World War II [GHDC 180]
- Williams, Elizabeth Hunt: Letter from Jonathan Daniels, Office of Civilian Defense, Regarding Volunteer Work, March 23, 1942 [GHDC 183]
- Wilson, Keith—Complaint Written by Rudolf Hess in His Cell at Nuremberg, 1946 [GHDC 193]