World War II African American Soldiers photographs, 1945/1946

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

The collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Summary

Extent:
1.17 Linear Feet 1 binder
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains photographs taken by an unidentified African American soldier during World War II. The collection features photographs of soldiers training in the United States and deployed overseas in France and Belgium. Photographs including women and children are also featured in the collection.

Biographical / historical:

This collection of photographs was taken by an unidentified African American soldier who trained at Camp Lee, Virginia. Although established during World War I as a training site, by World War II Camp Lee grew to provide training for quatermasters and other specialists. By 1941, the first Black training unit was established at Camp Lee. During World War II, most African American soldiers were assigned to segregated quatermaster and engineer units which provided technological and material support to combat divisions. Soldiers photographed in this collection are depicted in France and Belgium.

Acquisition information:
Purchased with the Nelle Richardson Tonkin Fund.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard