Benjamin Epstein papers

Collection — Box: Single Folder Collections - 2006 Box 2 (06.0075-06.0150), Folder: 06.0113 - Folder 1

Identifier: 06.0113

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a transcript provided by the Reichelt Program for Oral History. Benjamin Epstein was a Jewish American serviceman who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942-1946, and he trained at Fort Logan, Colorado. He was transported on the U.S.S. Dorchester, which was torpedoed by a German U-Boat in February 1943. He described escaping from the sinking ship and swimming to one of two lifeboats. He was picked up by the U.S.S. Escambia and taken to Greenland. He remained in Greenland until January 1945 where he was transferred to Fort Totten, New York and remained there until discharged in 1946.

Dates

Created: 1942-1946
Other: Majority of material found in 1944
Other: Date acquired: 09/01/2005

Creator

Epstein, Benjamin (Person)

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

Benjamin Epstein was a Jewish American who was born in Brooklyn, NY on April 24, 1922. He went to the City University of New York and was then drafted into the Navy in July 1942, where he trained at Fort Logan's Air Corps Administration School. He was on his way to Greenland, when his transport, the U.S.S. Dorchester was torpedoed and sunk on 3 February 1943. The Coast Guard cutter, U.S.S. Escambia, picked him and other survivors up and transported them to Greenland. He worked in Greenland until January 1946, at Bluiewest 1 and 8.

Extent

1.00 folders

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

Benjamin Epstein

Method of Acquisition

Donation

Subjects

Chaplains Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Dorchester (Ship) Subject Source: Local sources
Fort Logan (Colo.) Subject Source: Local sources
Greenland Subject Source: Local sources
Jewish soldiers--United States Subject Source: Local sources
United States. Army Air Forces
United States. Navy
United States. Navy--History Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
United States. Navy--History--20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Atlantic Ocean Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--Participation, Jewish Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945--United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings