William Knight Thompson collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 18.0010

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection relates to U.S. Army Chaplain William Knight Thompson who served in New Guinea at Oro Bay and the Philippine Islands in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After active duty service, Thompson remained in the U.S. Army Reserves until his retirement with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1958. The collection includes photographs, documents, and ephemera. Many photographs include native peoples of New Guinea. Several unpublished photographs include actor Gary Cooper during his visit to Oro Bay, New Guinea in 1944.

Dates

Event: 1942-1989
Other: Majority of material found within 1942-1968
Other: Date acquired: 2018-04-25

Creator

Thompson, William Knight (Family)

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

William Knight Thompson was born on December 27, 1907, in Wilmington, N.C. He moved to Tampa, FL at an early age and was educated at Hillsboro High School. He attended Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC and graduated in 1929. He received his theological education at Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA in 1934. His first ministry was as an Assistant Pastor in Wilmington, NC where he met his wife, Marguerite Crawford. Thompson later moved to Miami, FL where he lived when entering active duty as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army on April 7, 1942. Thompson served in New Guinea and the Philippines before his discharge but continued in the U.S. Army Reserves until retirement in 1968. Thompson became the pastor of the Palmetto Presbyterian Church, Palmetto, FL in March 1955. Thompson passed away in Manatee, FL on August 18, 1993.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet (1 half box)

2 items

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

Transferred from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to FSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives in July 2022.

Source of Acquisition

Robert Hunt

Subjects

Cooper, Gary, 1901-1961
Ethnology--Papua New Guinea Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Miami (Fla.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Oro Province (Papua New Guinea) Subject Source: Lcnaf
Palmetto (Fla.) Subject Source: Lcnaf
Papua New Guinea--Social life and customs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Tampa (Fla.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Union Theological Seminary in Virginia
United States. Army--Chaplains Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--New Guinea Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Philippines Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings