Archival Collections

This collection contains papers and artifacts collected by Billy Thomas Miner, who served during World War II as a Pharmacist's Mate, 1st Class, U.S.Navy. Miner's service brought him honors such as the Marine Expeditionary Force Ribbon, Point System, Victory Medal World War II, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, and Asiatic Pacific Medal with 4-Stars.

The collection of Seaman First Class Giles Odell Lofton, III contains an oral history transcript of an interview provided by the Reichelt Program for Oral History. Lofton served in the Navy aboard the USS Wisconsin in the Third Fleet, under Admiral Halsey in the Pacific Theater (PTO) during World War II. The collection also contains documents, U.S.S. Wisconsin papers, photographs of the USS Wisconsin and the Third Fleet during the invasion of Iwo Jima and the surrender of Japan. The photographs show the ships in combat, bombing the shoreline defenses of Iwo Jima, as well as Kamikaze attacks against the fleet. Also, there are photographs of the amphibious landings at Iwo Jima on invasion day, as well as a notice indicating the location of Ernie Pyle's death. The surrender photographs show General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Halsey on the USS Missouri, as well as pictures of Yokohama Bay. "Trench Art" pieces are included in the collection.

1st Lieutenant Irvin Baker's unpublished manuscript describes his experiences as a platoon leader with the 4th Marine Division and 10th Amtrac Battalion of the United States Marine Corps. He led his platoon through the Battle of Iwo Jima.

This collection contains two oral histories; one with Dr. Philip Gilman, Jr. and one with James Izumizaki. It also includes the reprint of a letter by Pvt. Lavern Borg, Jr. written on April 2, 1945. The letter tells about his experiences with the 5th Marine Division of the U.S. Marine Corp in the battle of Iwo Jima. The next document includes a service record and medallist dated June 1967, January 1969, and August 1973. A pamphlet collected by the Pajaro Valley Arts Council, California entitled Nihen Bunka Japanese Culture: One hundred years in Pajaro Valley is also in the collection.

This collection relates to Joseph G. Moretti who joined the U.S. Navy in Jacksonville, Florida in September 1942. He served in the Navy's Construction Battalion (Seabees) and the 8th Underwater Demolition Team (UDT8) until his discharge on August 14, 1945. He was stationed in Fort Peirce, Florida until he transferred to the Aleutian Islands and, later, the South Pacific. His collection includes an oral history recorded in 2000, Moretti's naval logbook, miscellaneous government documents from 1941 to 1957, news clippings from the 1990s, and photographs.

This collection relates to Ensign Madison D. Farnum, a staff member for the commander of the Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II. Farnum participated in the campaigns for Iwo Jima, Saipan, and Okinawa. Farnum was assigned on the Flagship USS Eldorado under Admiral R.K.Turner in the South Pacific Theater 1944-1945. The collection includes photographs, documents, and letters.

This collection relates to U.S. Navy Signalman 1st Class Phillip King Zimmerman who served aboard the U.S.S. Boston as a part of the first crew and the U.S.S. Baltimore heavy cruisers during World War II in the Pacific Theater. This collection includes two logbooks that Phillip Zimmerman maintained during his tour aboard the Boston , information relating to Zimmerman's oral history, photographs from service, two of his hats, and ephemera.

This collection relates to Theodore Schrotkke who served as a ground radio operator in the Marine 13th Defense Battalion, 5th Amphibious Corps Artillery. He served in the Caribbean and Pacific theaters, serving from 1942 to 1946. Schrottke was a part of the D-Day invasion team of Iwo Jima. This collection contains military documents, photographs, and a personal narrative relating to the life and service of Theodore Schrottke.

This collection relates to United States Marine Corps Private First Class William C. Erler who served as a Paramarine, and later with the 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division during World War II.  William C. Erler was killed in action at Iwo Jima on March 2, 1945.  The collection consists of photographs and several personal letters and papers, as well as artifacts, a parachute, gas mask, pins, marksmanship badges, and medals, including his posthumously awarded Purple Heart.

This collection relates to U.S. Navy Electrician's Mate First Class William I. Criste who served during World War II with GROPAC 11, Section E-9. The materials relate to the battle, work, and life on Iwo Jima, including more than 100 photographs, military documents, and Japanese military artifacts.