World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Japan--Okinawa Island

This collection relates to Sergeant Tillman Joe Rutledge, who served in the 31st Infantry Regiment of the United States Army in the Far East's Philippine Division. After the fall of Bataan in April 1942, he was captured as a prisoner of war until 1945. This collection consists of one box of personal papers, including the original diary he kept during his internment and photocopies. It also contains an original draft and signed copy of his book My Japanese POW Diary Story; a 36-page oral history transcript; letters to and from his family; newspaper clippings; various government documents; and photographs.

This collection relates to Richard Bruce Watkins who served two years in the Pacific Theater of Operations as a U.S. Marine platoon leader, then as a commander of the E Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division at Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa. Immediately after the war in August 1945, Watkins also served in China. The collection contains a manuscript entitled "Brothers in Battle--One Marine's Account of War in the Pacific" written by Watkins that concerns his time in the Pacific Theater.

William Leslie Eaton served aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Longshaw (DD-559) until its sinking on May 18, 1945. The collection includes reproductions of official documents surrounding the sinking of the U.S.S. Longshaw, along with several pictures of the sinking. It also contains materials related to the general naval war in the Pacific Theater, including information about the U.S.S. Mississippi's bombardment of Shuri Castle at Okinawa, carrier raids on Japan, and messages from admirals praising the Pacific Fleet.

This collection relates to George Ronald Wiszneauckas who served as a Captain in the U.S. Army as a Signal Officer for the 81st Infantry Division. This collection contains brochures from Camp San Luis Obispo, Camp Rucker, New Caledonia and other Pacific islands. The collection also includes newsletters from The Wildcat, a military newsletter, Japanese Naval binoculars, and military documents.

This collection relates to First Lieutenant Kay Arton Young who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. This collection contains a biography written by his daughter Nalani Young Wight, photographs of Kay, and a veteran questionnaire.

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.