William Dean Mathes Scrapbook,
Scope and Contents
William Dean Mathes [1909-1969], of Morristown, Tennessee, served in World War II, in both the German and Pacific theaters. He served from 1944-1946, first in Germany and later in the Philippines after the German Surrender. He was a military policeman and a member of the Regimental Band. Before and after the worked as a book keeper and served at various times as a band director and choir director. He died in Nashville, Tennessee, where he had moved two years before, in 1969. His wife was Davee Walker [Mathes] and they married in 1930. Gladys Walker, Mathes' sister-in-law created this scrapbook, with assistance from his mother, Ida Louise Mathes and his wife, Davee. They worked on this scrapbook from December 1941 through 1942. This is a scrapbook of newspaper clippings from the early years of World War II. Early pages contain newspaper coverage of the attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequent analysis. Only a few of the newspapers have dates, but the scrapbook does seem chronological. There is no indication of a newspaper name on any of the clippings. Dates and events are hand written by some of the clippings. All types of clippings are included, from “war at a glance” short lists, to long analyses and large maps. The Pacific theater and early Japanese victories are well covered, but Russia and Europe are also covered. The scrapbook is unique in that it provides in one place a number of articles and perspectives on the early years of the war. Included with the scrapbook is a folder of papers related to Mathes' military service. There are photographs, a letter of commendation from his commanding officer, his discharge papers, and a brief biography.
Dates
- 1941 - 1942
- Acquired: 2001-06-28
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Extent
1.00 Boxes
2 items
2 binders
Language
English
Arrangement Note
The scrapbook was originally in a small black 3 ring binder labeled World War II. It has been retained, separately. The scrapbook pages have been enclosed in mylar and are in a new loose-leaf binder. The pages retain their original order, mostly chronological. Loose clippings have been mounted and placed at the end of the binder, chronologically, in a separate section.
Source of Acquisition
Rebecca Mullican
Method of Acquisition
Signed deed of gift by Rebecca Mullican for the William Dean Mathis Collection
Appraisal Information
notebook of WWII clippings compiled by Ida Louise Mathes mother and Davee Louise Mathes, wife of William Mathes.
- Title
- Archon Finding Aid Title
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- eng
Revision Statements
- 2020-03-11: Revised for DACS compliance by Douglas Carlson.
Repository Details
Part of the Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections Repository
Valdosta State University Archives, Odum Library
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta GA 30601 United States
7063728116
229-259-5055 (Fax)
archives@valdosta.edu