James C. Walton, Sr., Photo Albums—World War II

Content Description

The collection consists of two photo albums of images taken and collected during World War II by James C. Walton, Sr. Born in Isabel (S.D.) in 1913, James and his family soon moved to Webster (S.D.). He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941, enrolling at Fort Snelling (MN) and served in the South Pacific during World War II, specifically in New Guinea, receiving an honorably discharged in 1945. He married Helen McCormick in 1947 and they made their home in Webster. The first photo album, with orange cover and back, features images taken at New Guinea from roughly 1944 to 1945 during World War II. The back of some of the photos offer names and dates. The images in this photo album are mainly of the indigenous people from New Guinea, various military scenes including tents, huts, military equipment and soldiers. Also included are images of Japanese soldiers and officers as well as photographs of deceased Japanese soldier. The final few images in the scrapbook show before and after scenes of various buildings in Manila, Philippines. The second photo album features similar images of New Guinea. The photo album shows indigenous peoples as well as troop and supply transport ships and soldier scenes. The Military History Section supplied some of the military photos in this album. Also included are images from the late 1930s and early 1940s of stateside scenes, presumably of Webster and basic training at Fort Snelling.

Acquisition Type

Gift

Restrictions Apply

No