Phillip Zimmerman collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 18.0011

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

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.

Dates

1936-2012
Other: Date accessioned: 2018-04-25

Creator

Zimmerman, Phillip King, 1924-2012 (Owner, Family)

Language of Materials Note

English

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to all researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical or Historical Information

Phillip King Zimmerman was born in Dunedin, Florida on December 13, 1924, to Marie Morris Zimmerman and Porter Zimmerman and lived in Pinellas County most of his life. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served on several ships in the Pacific during WWII, most memorably the U.S.S. Boston.

By 1945 he promoted to Signalman First Class on Admiral Wiltse's staff. Zimmerman transferred to the U.S.S. Baltimore which became the flagship on January 25, 1945. He was involved in a number of engagements in the Pacific and witnessed the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on September 2, 1945.

When he returned home from the war he attended the University of Tampa, and within a few months met Grace Dana Harris. They married on September 1, 1946, and were married for sixty-six years. Zimmerman went into partnership with Dana's father in the lumber business. He later founded another company, Gas'n'Sav, from which he retired in 1982. As a young businessman, he developed an interest in state politics. He was active in several campaigns and was a member of Gov. Leroy Collins's Industrial Commission. He also served on the boards of several banks. Zimmerman believed strongly in education and helped a number of young people go to college. An avid golfer, he was a founder of the Cypress Run Golf Club in Tarpon Springs. He passed away on December 23, 2012.

Sources: Legacy.com. "Phillip King Zimmerman." Legacy.com. (accessed April 25, 2018). Navsource. "NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive USS BOSTON (CA 69/CAG 1)." Navsource.org. (http://www.navsource.org/archives/04/069/04069.htm (accessed April 25, 2018).