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Over the next year, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Joyner Library Special Collections will be highlighting items from the East Carolina Manuscripts Collection that relate to the conflict and the individuals who served. See also the 1st and 2nd and 3rd and 4th and 5th and 6th and 7th and 8th and 9th posts. The following post was contributed by John Dunning. 

The Battle of the Bulge: An Eyewitness Account

80 years ago marks the end of one of World War II’s bloodiest and most decisive battles. Beginning December 16, 1944, the German military leaders launched what would be their last major offensive of the war attempting to break through Allied lines. The fighting that followed would be known as the Battle of the Bulge and the Allied victory would signal the inevitable fall of Nazi Germany.

Involving over 700,000 Allied troops stretched over 75 miles within the Argonne Forest the Germans sought to exploit the battle-weary and inexperienced American soldiers stationed there for rest and recovery. The Germans intended to break the Allied lines pushing into Belgium to re-open supply lines to Germany and to break Allied morale. The Germans threw everything they could at the mostly American troops in the Argonne, dropping paratroopers behind Allied lines, sending English-speaking German soldiers dressed in American military uniforms to spread chaos and misinformation, and massacring captured civilians and soldiers to decrease morale. While initially effective, the American soldiers fought back with bravery and ferocity despite the snow, cold, and every attempt the Germans threw at them.

The story of the battle through the eyes of Jim Morton, a member of the 506th Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division helps to illustrate the conditions on the ground and the trials faced by American soldiers. Accessible via the Robert Frederick Sink Papers, Morton penned a letter to his commanding officer Colonel Robert Frederick Sink upon his recovery in Woodrow Wilson General Hospital, thanking Sink for his leadership and unwittingly saving his life. Morton details how a bottle of cognac gifted to him by Sink helped him stay alive after being wounded during the battle.

Correspondence between Jim Morton and Robert Frederick Sink, January 30, 1946. Item from the Robert Frederick Sink Papers (#255), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

In the correspondence, Morton describes the difficulty of receiving medical treatment on the battlefield once wounded and the obstacles faced by those who needed to be evacuated. Morton details how German Panzers wounded him in the fighting near Noville[sic], four miles north of Bastogne, Belgium. While being attended to by a medic named Gibson, Morton and Gibson were both hit by fragments from another Panzer attack. With four other wounded Americans, Morton was transported by jeep to an aid station before being loaded into an ambulance heading to the 39th Evacuation Hospital in Virton.

On the way, the ambulance was hit by shell fragments further injuring the wounded inside. Without morphine, Morton and his companions drank the cognac gifted to him by Sink to alleviate the intense physical pain. Upon arrival at Virton, Morton states that the surgeons were not thrilled with the soldiers’ state of inebriation; however, Morton credits the cognac with helping him deal with the pain, keeping his spirits up, and alleviating the shock of the event.

The Allies would win the battle, defeating the Germans on January 25, 1944. Afterward, British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill stated, “This is undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American victory.” In a few short months, the Germans would surrender bringing an end to the fighting in Europe.

Over the next year, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Joyner Library Special Collections will be highlighting items from the East Carolina Manuscripts Collection that relate to the conflict and the individuals who served. See also the 1st and 2nd and 3rd and 4th and 5th and 6th and 7th and 8th posts. The following post was contributed by Patrick Cash. 

Celebrating the winter holidays during World War II was a complex and emotional experience for servicemen stationed away from home, often in difficult and even hostile environments. Despite the hardships of war, many soldiers and sailors made efforts to keep the holiday spirit alive, holding onto a sense of normalcy and tradition. Through small but significant gestures, they brought holiday cheer to the frontlines and naval bases, finding ways to connect with loved ones and with each other during one of the most challenging periods of their lives.

Finding Comfort in Shared Traditions

For many servicemen, the winter holidays provided an opportunity to unite around shared traditions that reminded them of home. Throughout the Pacific islands, North African deserts, and European forests, soldiers and others serving abroad created makeshift celebrations demonstrating creativity and camaraderie. Native trees, small shrubs, or even carefully arranged sticks were used in the absence of traditional Christmas trees. Decorations might include military gear, such as tinsel made from parachute cords, empty shells, or colored paper created from ration boxes. Soldiers would hang makeshift ornaments, write messages to loved ones, and even find ways to display them inside barracks or tents to bring a touch of holiday warmth. In other cases, chaplains, Red Cross workers, and local civilians contributed by setting up community celebrations, holding Christmas services, or offering festive meals, all of which helped lift spirits.

Christmas cards such as this one from the USS Yosemite were given to both servicemen and sent back home to families during the holidays. Image from, U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation Collection: Joseph A. Mileto Papers (#677.040), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

For Jewish soldiers serving in the Allied forces, observing Hanukkah offered its unique challenges. Amidst the devastation of war, celebrating Hanukkah became both a spiritual refuge and a powerful symbol of resilience. Jewish soldiers found ways to light the menorah, using makeshift items like shell casings, tin cans, and candles from home packages, to commemorate the miracle of the Maccabees. The act of lighting the menorah held profound significance, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and faith over adversity, mirroring their own experiences in the fight against the Axis powers. For many, these small acts of devotion offered a sense of connection to their faith, families, and the traditions that sustained them, reinforcing the importance of hope during a dark time in history.

Communication and Connection: Letters and Packages

Letters were among the most cherished aspects of a serviceman’s holiday. Mail delivery was often slower during wartime, and sometimes letters could be months old by the time they reached their destination, but receiving a message from home still brought immense joy. Loved ones would send stories from home, holiday cards, photos, and updates, which were read and reread by soldiers longing for connection. For many, these words from home were a lifeline, offering comfort and motivation amid the isolation and stress of war.

Soldiers would send holiday greetings to their families and friends back home. This piece of “Victory Mail,” sent by Staff Sgt. John James “Jack” Mitchell to his family, makes light of the strict military censorship rules. Image from, Saunders Family Collection (#964), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

Holiday packages also played a critical role in boosting morale. Families would send small gifts, sweets, or homemade treats, anything that could survive the journey. Despite rationing, loved ones would carefully select and pack items like candies, small toiletries, or scarves, often adding handwritten notes and drawings. These care packages, although simple, were full of sentimental value and were usually shared among groups of soldiers, bringing joy and a sense of camaraderie.

Special Holiday Meals

For many servicemen, Christmas dinners served as a central holiday tradition, even amid scarcity. The Red Cross and United Service Organizations (USO) organized special meals, complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie, on both the home front and the battlefront. In some cases, field kitchens prepared hot meals for soldiers in combat zones, though conditions meant they often lacked certain staples. Yet, just having a shared meal could rekindle the holiday spirit. Even soldiers stuck with canned rations would make the best of it, sharing treats from home when available.

Religious Celebrations and Entertainment

Military leaders recognized the importance of morale and organized special events for troops to mark the holiday season. The United Service Organizations (USO) played an essential role, sending entertainers, musicians, and performers to hold shows for troops. Stars like Bob Hope, Marlene Dietrich, and Bing Crosby toured overseas bases, entertaining the troops with comedy routines, songs, and holiday-themed acts. These performances offered much-needed escapism and a reminder of home, helping to keep spirits high and provide a temporary distraction from the harsh realities of war.

Religious services were another part of holiday life for many. Military chaplains organized Christmas and Hanukkah services on the frontlines, provided religious items, and encouraged soldiers to come together to celebrate, even under enemy fire. The best-known example of this occurred during the Battle of the Bulge where troops huddled together in the snow-covered forests of Belgium to attend makeshift holiday services amid one of the war’s most grueling battles. This moment of community and faith, often under lantern light and far from traditional sanctuaries, provided a measure of comfort and a reminder of resilience.

Celebrations on the Front Lines and in POW Camps

For soldiers stationed on the front lines, the holiday season could be especially bittersweet. There were fewer opportunities for traditional celebrations, but they would still try to make the most of the situation. Soldiers sang carols together, while others shared whatever rations or treats, they had managed to save. On rare occasions, unofficial ceasefires were called. In the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, a famously harsh winter battle, some American and German troops observed a temporary ceasefire on Christmas Eve, exchanging gifts and even singing Christmas carols across enemy lines.

For prisoners of war (POWs), holiday celebrations were often limited, but they found ways to mark the season despite restrictions. Prisoners might make small decorations from
found objects, share stories, or organize small group prayers. In some camps, guards allowed POWs to receive packages from home or even hosted small holiday services, although these instances were often limited and depended on the camp’s conditions.

Correspondence from Pvt. Bernard W. Saunders, a Japanese prisoner of war in the Philippines, to his family, ensuring his safety and wishing them a “great Christmas” from the Philippine Military Prison Camp. Image from, Saunders Family Collection (#964), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

The Legacy of Wartime Holidays

The wartime holiday celebrations reflected the resilience and determination of those who were far from home during the winter months. Servicemen demonstrated that even amid conflict, the human spirit could find ways to endure. These wartime holiday memories became important parts of the collective stories that veterans carried with them after the war, shaping how they remembered and honored their time in service.

Upon returning home, many veterans carried forward these memories by cherishing the holidays even more deeply with their families. For some, the post-war holiday season became a time of gratitude and reflection, as they remembered their comrades who did not make it back. Others continued the traditions they had started overseas, blending them with family celebrations.

The holiday season during World War II thus remains a poignant reminder of the power of tradition, community, and resilience in the face of adversity. Soldiers found ways to celebrate, connect, and even find joy amid the darkness, creating memories and bonds that lasted a lifetime. Through these acts, they not only preserved the spirit of the holidays but also reinforced the values they were fighting to protect.

Over the next year, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Joyner Library Special Collections will be highlighting items from the East Carolina Manuscripts Collection that relate to the conflict and the individuals who served. See also the 1st and 2nd and 3rd and 4th and 5th and 6th and 7th posts. The following post was contributed by Patrick Cash. 

World War II brought profound changes to American life, especially on the home front. The war effort required vast amounts of resources—both physical and financial—which posed a significant challenge for a nation mobilizing to fight in distant theaters across Europe and the Pacific. To address these needs, the federal government introduced two key programs: rationing and war bonds. These initiatives not only sustained the military effort but also fostered a sense of shared responsibility among citizens.

Rationing: Managing Limited Resources

As the United States entered World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, it quickly became apparent that the country would need to control consumption on the home front to ensure adequate supplies for the military. Resources like food, rubber, gasoline, and metals were all critical to war production. To meet these needs, the Office of Price Administration (OPA) instituted rationing, a program designed to limit consumption and prevent shortages or inflation, in May 1942. The goal was to ensure fair distribution, reduce waste, and channel as many resources as possible toward the war effort.

Ration books such as this one allowed individuals to purchase limited quantities of certain items. Lester and Agnes Parker Collection (#1005), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

How Rationing Worked

Under rationing, specific goods, such as sugar, were limited or only available through ration stamps. Each household received a ration book filled with stamps that allowed them to buy limited quantities of certain items. Meats, dairy products, and canned goods were among the foods rationed, as these items were essential to feeding troops overseas. Gasoline, tires, and rubber were also tightly regulated by the government as these resources were crucial to military vehicles and machinery.

A color-coded system organized ration stamps by category: blue for processed foods, red for meats and fats, and green for vegetables. Shoppers presented the stamps to purchase their allotted share, forcing families to carefully plan meals around available items. Many Americans turned to “Victory Gardens” to supplement their rations, growing vegetables in backyard plots or community gardens to ease the strain on the food supply.

While rationing meant personal sacrifices, it also strengthened a sense of purpose. Families, friends, and neighbors adjusted to new norms and lifestyles, supporting each other with tips on making the most of rationed goods and exchanging recipes. The restrictions transformed everyday routines, but the knowledge that sacrifices would benefit soldiers and allied countries made these hardships feel meaningful.

Signs like these helped customers identify goods that could be purchased without using ration stamps. Images from, Jesse Rountree Moye Papers (#1111), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

The Impact on the Economy and Society

Rationing also helped curb inflation by keeping consumer prices stable. With limited quantities available, the government attempted to control supply and demand to avoid drastic price spikes. However, rationing presented challenges, leading to a black market for items like gasoline and meat. Despite these illicit activities, most Americans followed rationing guidelines, understanding that conservation at home was vital for success abroad.

Rationing influenced various social dynamics, promoting thriftiness and resourcefulness. Homemakers became creative, finding ways to stretch limited ingredients or substitute non-rationed items. This encouraged a culture of “making do,” with civilians viewing sacrifices as their contribution to the national effort. Rationing taught new life skills that many Americans carried forward, emphasizing resource conservation and collective responsibility.

War Bonds: Funding the Fight

While rationing conserved essential resources, financing the war effort required massive amounts of money. To raise funds, the government issued war bonds, which allowed citizens to lend money to the government with the promise of repayment plus interest after a set period. The sale of war bonds provided a way for Americans to invest in their country’s success and to support their loved ones fighting overseas. In total, over 84 million Americans purchased war bonds, providing $150 billion in financial support for the war.

War bonds were used to fund the war effort. The federal government used the money raised from selling war bonds to pay for military equipment, uniforms, food, and medicine. This letter from the Jules James Papers mentions that a war bond drive in Greensboro, NC funded the construction of a new naval ship. Jules James Papers (#223), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

War Bond Drives

The government conducted aggressive campaigns to encourage war bond purchases, often appealing to patriotism and duty. Famous slogans like “Buy a Bond – Beat a Nazi” and “They Give Their Lives—You Lend Your Money” emphasized the importance of personal contributions. War bond drives became momentous events, often led by celebrities and community leaders. Movie stars, athletes, and politicians took to the airwaves and visited cities, urging people to buy bonds to secure victory.

Schools, factories, and community organizations set up bond competitions to inspire more people to buy. Even children were involved, encouraged to purchase ten-cent stamps that they could redeem for bonds once they saved enough. These drives, promoted through posters, radio broadcasts, and public appearances, created a sense of unity and pride.

Economic and Social Impact

War bonds offered Americans a way to contribute financially while simultaneously investing in the country’s future. Purchasing bonds was not only patriotic but also a prudent financial decision. Bonds accrued interest, allowing citizens to save for postwar prosperity while knowing that their money was helping to buy supplies and equipment for the armed forces.

The psychological impact of war bonds was significant. By purchasing a bond, a person felt directly involved in the nation’s mission, symbolizing shared commitment and sacrifice. It gave everyday citizens a tangible role in the war effort, deepening their emotional connection to the cause. Additionally, bond drives brought communities together and reminded American citizens of their collective resilience and the importance of standing together during a national crisis. 

Rationing, War Bonds, and National Unity

Both rationing and war bonds had an overarching effect on American society: they fostered unity and instilled a powerful sense of shared purpose. As families rationed and individuals bought bonds, the lines between the home front and battlefront blurred. The notion of “Total War” meant that everyone contributed, whether they were on the front lines or the factory floor, in fields or at home.

The wartime experience unified Americans across diverse backgrounds, pushing them toward collective goals that transcended individual needs. Through everyday acts of rationing and small financial contributions, citizens recognized that victory relied on the actions of each person, forming an interdependent society.

Community drives, such as this scrap aluminum drive that took place in Farmville, NC, helped Americans back home feel pride in helping the war effort. Image from, Tabitha Marie DeVisconti Papers (#480), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

Legacy of the Home Front Effort

When the war ended in 1945, the impact of rationing and war bonds left a legacy on American culture. Citizens emerged from the war with a new appreciation for resource management, saving, and collective responsibility. “Victory Gardens” transformed into home gardens, war bond savings funded postwar purchases, and rationing’s lessons in thrift helped Americans adjust to the changes brought by peacetime.

Rationing and war bonds on the home front reflected the power of unified action during World War II. Together, these programs created a powerful model of national mobilization that underscored the importance of civilian involvement in times of crisis. They remind us today of the enduring power of shared sacrifice, even when the battles may not take place on traditional front lines. Through cooperation and commitment, Americans on the home front became as vital to victory as the soldiers who fought overseas, proving that the spirit of unity and resilience is one of the country’s greatest strengths.

Over the next year, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Joyner Library Special Collections will be highlighting items from the East Carolina Manuscripts Collection that relate to the conflict and the individuals who served. See also the 1st and 2nd and 3rd and 4th and 5th and 6th posts. The following post was contributed by Patrick Cash.

This bulletin, sent by the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, announced the Japanese’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Image from, Jules James Papers (#223), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, stands as one of the most defining moments in American history, marking the United States’ entry into World War II. The surprise assault by the Imperial Japanese Navy on the U.S. Pacific Fleet stationed in Hawaii killed over 2,400 Americans, destroyed numerous ships and aircraft, and shattered the nation’s sense of security. Following this catastrophic event, the U.S. mobilized unprecedentedly, driven by urgency and a profound sense of duty to retaliate and defend the nation. A critical component of this mobilization is captured in a bulletin issued on December 9, 1941, by U.S. Navy Secretary Frank Knox, emphasizing the urgency and determination needed to overcome the enemy.

Bulletin from United States Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, dated December 9, 1941. In this bulletin sent to all Naval Stations (ALNAVSTAS), Knox responds to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Image from, Jules James Papers (#223), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

The bulletin, intended for naval personnel, provides a snapshot of the sentiments and immediate actions taken by the U.S. Navy following the attack. Dated just two days after Pearl Harbor, it conveys the gravity of the situation and the Navy’s resolute response. Secretary Knox’s language is notably intense and devoid of diplomatic nuances, describing the attack as a “savage, treacherous blow.” His words echo the widespread shock and anger felt by Americans at the time and served to rally all those involved in defense production and naval operations.

Knox’s message demands swift, decisive action: “We must have ships and more ships, guns and more guns, men and more men—faster and faster.” This call for immediate expansion of resources and personnel highlights the massive scale of the war effort required. The phrase “There is no time now for disputes or delay of any kind” underscores the urgency to prioritize national security over any bureaucratic or logistical obstacles. It reflects a shift in national focus, where every individual and resource was directed toward the war effort.

A notable aspect of Knox’s directive is the repetition of “comma” and “exclamation point,” indicating a telegram format in which punctuation was spelled out to ensure clarity and gravity. Such language, devoid of nuanced prose, amplifies the seriousness of the message, aiming to leave no room for ambiguity among the recipients. His phrase, “This is your Navy and your Nation,” directly appeals to personal responsibility, encouraging every person involved to understand their critical role in this collective fight.

Additionally, the bulletin stresses the importance of efficiency and removing restrictions that might delay production. By instructing naval activities to “post on all bulletin boards,” Knox clarifies that this message is not just for high-ranking officers but is meant to be seen and felt at every level of the Navy’s operations. He also authorizes inspectors to expedite procedures and invites “suggestions for removing restrictions,” signaling a shift toward a more flexible, purposeful approach in military operations and production.

The rallying message issued by Knox set the tone for a national mobilization effort that transformed American industry. Factories across the country rapidly converted to produce war materials, and citizens joined the armed forces or took on roles in defense plants, contributing to an unprecedented level of unity and sacrifice. The “speed up” command reflects how every minute was precious in the fight to recover from the Pearl Harbor losses and prepare for the global conflict that lay ahead.

This bulletin from Knox remains a poignant reminder of the intense determination that characterized America’s entry into World War II. It illustrates the nation’s transformation in the wake of Pearl Harbor—from a country still emerging from the Great Depression to a formidable military power, driven by a fierce resolve to protect its people and its values.

Over the next year, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Joyner Library Special Collections will be highlighting items from the East Carolina Manuscripts Collection that relate to the conflict and the individuals who served. See also the 1st and 2nd and 3rd and 4th and 5th posts. The following post was contributed by John Dunning.

The American holiday of Thanksgiving is historically a celebration where family and friends gather to give thanks for the good they have experienced over the past year. But what happens to those unable to gather as normal due to conflict? While World War II disrupted countless lives and affected the celebration of many cultural holidays, the men and women in the American Armed Forces still found ways to celebrate despite the circumstances.

U.S.S. Lang (DD-399) Thanksgiving Day menu. Gordon W. Hooper Papers (#663), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

For the United States Navy sailors aboard the USS Lang (DD-399) in 1944, Thanksgiving was celebrated aboard the destroyer in the Pacific. Sailors were dutifully served the traditional Thanksgiving staples like turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, and cranberry sauce. To commemorate the occasion, each sailor received a menu that included a brief history of the holiday, a morale-rousing poem, and the roster of the men aboard the ship. An example of the menu is archived in the Gordon W. Hooper Papers (#0663) in the East Carolina Manuscript Collection.

Those among the Lang were not alone. Wherever able, service members gathered in fellowship to celebrate and give thanks. The East Carolina Manuscript collection includes many menus similar to the one distributed on the Lang, including menus from celebrations aboard the USS Trathen (DD-530) in 1943, those part of the Headquarters Company stationed in the India Burma Theater in 1944, and those aboard USS Intrepid (CV-11) in 1945, among others. While each menu varies slightly, the turkey and the desire to give thanks no matter the situation were the centerpiece.

To view these and other menus, please click the links in the article or see them in person by requesting menus from the collections listed below.

Visit the Ship’s Log, as well as Joyner Library’s social media channels, to learn more about materials related to World War II that are a part of the East Carolina Manuscripts Collection’s holdings. Joyner Library Special Collections will be displaying an exhibit of items and individual stories related to World War II during the summer and fall of 2025.

Collections with Thanksgiving Celebrations During World War II:

• Dr. Louis Carroll English Papers (#0844)
• Gordon W. Hooper Papers (#0663)
• Itimous T. Valentine, Sr., Papers (#0066)
• Robert Walter Jennings Papers (#0996)

Over the next year, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Joyner Library Special Collections will be highlighting items from the East Carolina Manuscripts Collection that relate to the conflict and the individuals who served. See also the 1st and 2nd and 3rd and 4th posts. The following post was contributed by Patrick Cash. 

The Battle of Leyte Gulf

The Battle of Leyte Gulf, fought from October 23-26, 1944, was a pivotal World War II naval engagement between the U.S. and Japan. It marked the last major clash between the U.S. Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy and is the largest naval battle in history. Taking place near the Philippine islands of Leyte, Samar, and Luzon, the battle was part of General Douglas MacArthur’s plan to retake the Philippines. Its outcome severely crippled Japan’s naval capabilities, securing Allied control of the Pacific.

Japan’s strategy involved dividing and destroying the Allied fleet with multiple naval forces, but superior Allied intelligence allowed them to counter this. The battle unfolded in four main engagements: the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, Surigao Strait, Cape Engaño, and Samar. Each encounter weakened the Japanese Navy, rendering it ineffective for the remainder of the war.

The USS Portland’s war diary entry describes the vessel’s involvement in the Battle of Surigao Strait at Leyte Gulf. U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation Collection: Carl Hicks Papers (#677-037), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. 

The USS Portland (CA-33) and The Battle of Surigao Strait

The USS Portland (CA-33), commissioned in 1933, had already seen action in key battles like Coral Sea and Guadalcanal by the time it joined Task Force 34 in the Leyte Gulf. Under the command of Admiral William Halsey, Task Force 34 was tasked with protecting the Allied landings on Leyte and preventing Japanese reinforcements from reaching the island.

The USS Portland’s most significant role came in the Battle of Surigao Strait on October 24-25, 1944. Despite heavy enemy fire, the USS Portland helped inflict severe damage on the Japanese fleet and protected Allied forces. One of the battle’s defining moments occurred when Japanese Admiral Kurita’s Center Force attempted a surprise attack but was repelled by Allied gunfire, including from the USS Portland. This victory was crucial in eliminating a major Japanese threat to the planned Allied invasion. Surigao Strait would also be the last time in history that battleships would engage one another in a line of battle.

A history of the USS Portland and its participation in the Battle of Surigao Strait can be found in the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation Collection: Carl Hicks Papers (Manuscript Collection #677-037). The USS Portland’s “War Diary” documents the vessel’s participation in key operations from 1941-1945, including the Coral Sea (May 1942), Midway (June 1942), Guadalcanal (August & November 1942), Santa Cruz Islands (October 1942), Gilbert Islands (November 1943), Marshall Islands (December 1943-March 1944), Carolina Islands (March-September 1944), Leyte (October-November 1944), Luzon (December 1944-February 1945), and Okinawa (March-April 1945). It highlights battle damage at Guadalcanal, including a jammed turret that caused the ship to steam in circles. Additional entries document kamikaze raids and submarine attacks as well as the Japanese surrender at Truk on September 2, 1945.

Aftermath

The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a decisive victory for the Allies, with Japan suffering heavy losses in ships and aircraft, ensuring that they could no longer effectively conduct large-scale naval operations against the Allies. The USS Portland played a significant role in the Battle of Surigao Strait, permitting the Allies to claim victory and eventually retake the Philippines. Following Leyte Gulf, the USS Portland continued to serve with distinction, participating in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, before being present at Japan’s formal surrender in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

Visit the Ship’s Log, as well as Joyner Library’s social media channels, to learn more about materials related to World War II that are a part of the East Carolina Manuscripts Collection’s holdings. Joyner Library Special Collections will be displaying an exhibit of items and individual stories related to World War II during the summer and fall of 2025.

Contributed by Kayla Cavenaugh, Graduate Student Intern, Duke University Medical Center Archives

Every October, the Society of North Carolina Archivists celebrates Archives Month. This year’s theme, What Puts You on the Map?, brings to mind Duke University Medical Center’s SEDO system, a wayfinding system rolled out in 1971 that left its mark on the hospital.

Front cover of a 1970 lookbook created by Hugh Spencer, "consulting ergonomist," showcasing Duke University Medical Center's chic new wayfinding system called SEDO (Elon H. Clark Papers, "Duke University Medical Center signage, SEDO system, 1970-1971," Box 2).

On March 5, 1971, a special issue of Intercom, the hospital’s weekly bulletin, devoted three of its four pages to the implementation of the new System of Environmental Direction and Orientation, or SEDO. SEDO was a mid-century modern wayfinding system based on eight color zones and hanging lighted signs, “similar to the idea behind routing systems at major airports,” designed to help visitors, patients, and employees better orient themselves through Duke University Medical Center (DUMC). The system was designed by industrial designer Hugh Spencer and the modular, triangular signs were manufactured and installed by Graphicon, Inc., of Greensboro, at a cost of roughly $60,000.

A SEDO pamphlet designed for patients, visitors, and Duke employees, with color-coded map and labeled zones (Elon H. Clark Papers, "Duke University Medical Center signage, SEDO system, 1970-1971," Box 2).

Throughout the 1960s, the hospital experienced rapid growth in both the services offered to its increasingly diverse patient population and its physical footprint. Prior to integration, wayfinding systems and signage posted throughout Duke Hospital, like other hospitals in the South, reflected the demarcation of spaces and services based on racial segregation. While the DUMC Archives holds a selection of photographs depicting segregated waiting areas for Black patients and families, finding clear visual evidence of Jim Crow-era wayfinding signage is challenging. As Elizabeth Guffey observes, “Despite their once pervasive presence in the American South, the little visual documentation left has led design historians to overlook this aspect of visual communications history” (42).

A 1970 memo from Louis E. Swanson, Director of the Medical Center Planning Office (Jane Elchlepp Papers, "Hospital signage, SEDO procedures, undated," Box 1).

DUMC’s growth ultimately meant more buildings, more patients and visitors, and more confusion about how to navigate an increasingly complex medical center—or as Intercom puts it, “more people get lost in more places.” The papers of Elon Clark, coordinator and professor of the Department of Medical Illustration from 1934 to 1974, offer possible insight into wayfinding in the hospital immediately prior to SEDO: A map designed for the patients and families, dated March 1970, utilizes all 26 letters of the alphabet and then starts over with AA through DD in order to label the many sections of the hospital, including outpatient clinics. The papers of Dr. Jane Elchlepp, who served as Vice President of Health Affairs, Planning, and Analysis, indicate the presence of idiosyncratically designed, hand-painted signage posted throughout DUMC. Dr. Elchlepp was copied on one SEDO planning memo dated April 24, 1970, stating, “It is hoped that all [new] signs will conform to a standard and that painted signs and room numbers will be eliminated.”

Typographical specifications from the 1970 lookbook (Elon H. Clark Papers, "Duke University Medical Center signage, SEDO system, 1970-1971," Box 2).

The need for up-to-date, standardized, simplified signage was clear, and by early 1968, the medical center began to organize its resources for a new wayfinding system. Implementing such a system would require extensive planning and coordination from a variety of hospital administrators and stakeholders, including the Medical Center Planning Office as well as employees with design and planning insight, such as Elon Clark, Robert Blake, and Dr. Jane Elchlepp. Going with an outside firm to design the signage, DUMC hired Hugh Spencer of Design Collective in 1969. A self-described “consulting ergonomist,” Spencer was an industrial designer active in Britain and Canada who employed mid-century modern design aesthetics in his work with electronics companies, car manufacturers, and the University of Toronto. Spencer also helped design the famed Project G Hi-Fi Stereo Cabinet for the Clairtone Sound Corporation in Toronto in 1963 (which, according to the Canadian Society of Decorative Arts, you just might recognize from the 1967 film, The Graduate).

Graphic design specifications from the 1970 lookbook (Elon H. Clark Papers, "Duke University Medical Center signage, SEDO system, 1970-1971," Box 2).

In planning and implementing Spencer’s vision within a two-year time frame, tensions on the SEDO committee sometimes ran high. A copy of meeting minutes for a SEDO Evaluation Meeting held on July 19, 1971, reports that the rollout of SEDO “has been plagued with more than its fair share of problems. The nature of these problems varied from the conceptual to those related to implementation.” The “conceptual” problems likely allude to Hugh Spencer’s nebulous design ideas, which did not always align with the very practical needs of a hospital. The meeting minutes then take a lengthy digression, pondering the philosophical distinctions between wayfinding and orientation (while also noting Spencer’s spelling and grammar idiosyncrasies):

According to Hugh Spencer’s CONSULTANT’S REPORT, the following are the Basic Principles of SEDO: ‘You are counselled to view this project as creating human orientation rather than the giving of directions for movement. To this purpose the establishment of an area identification by color will be effective while giving a number of extra benefits to a community with pschyosocial subdivisions.’ (Spencer’s spelling and grammar.)

Cutting through the philosophy, “a serious question arises,” concludes the report. “What does Duke University Medical Center want: A system telling people where they are in relation to something, or a system telling people where they want to go?” 

A flyer for SEDO orientation sessions offered to Duke employees, with clip-art of a man who looks upsettingly lost (Elon H. Clark Papers, "Duke University Medical Center signage, SEDO system, 1970-1971," Box 2).

Further “implementation” problems included difficulties in translating Spencer’s design ideas to local sign vendors and manufacturers, as well as strong feelings from staff and employees. The July 2, 1971, issue of Intercom included an insert: a questionnaire to evaluate “the new COLOR ZONE DIRECTIONAL SYSTEM.” Results of the questionnaire can be found in Elon Clark’s papers. Comments ran the gamut:

Drop it.
Tacky.
What about blind, color blind, and illiterates.
It's the best directional system we’ve used.
Probably a good system if one takes the time to learn it.
Adds charisma to Duke.
Older employees must use it for it to succeed.
I like the cubes on the ceiling at Memorial Hospital better.
Many do not understand that URO is urology; for someone not familiar with medical terminology, the signs do more harm than good.

In a memo dated March 18, 1970, Louis E. Swanson, Director of the Medical Center Planning Office, wrote to Dr. Jane Elchlepp that SEDO would be a “major innovation in the Medical Center and will get alot [sic] of attention and we can expect a variety of comments.” Swanson ends his memo with a careful musing about how SEDO might be communicated to and received by the wider hospital, perhaps articulating the hope and uncertainty that many people on the SEDO planning committee surely felt in planning a project of such magnitude: “Frankly, I think that most of the people that should know about the program are quite well informed, but equally frankly, I am never quite certain. This is my way of testing.”

References

• Elizabeth Guffey. “Knowing Their Space: Signs of Jim Crow in the Segregated South.” Design Issues 28, no. 2 (Spring 2012): 41-60. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41427825.
• Elon H. Clark Papers, Duke University Medical Center Archives.
• Jane Elchlepp Papers, Duke University Medical Center Archives.

Contributed by Cade Carlson

Among the various resources of the Forsyth County Public Library's North Carolina Collection, the Digital Forsyth website is a robust repository of historic photographs that depict Winston-Salem’s history through the power of images, and you don’t even have to be in a library to access it!

Winston-Salem Christmas Parade, 1956

The website was initially developed over 10 years ago through a series of grants and partnerships between 5 local institutions to consolidate remarkable images from our photograph collections to be publicly accessible. These 5 intuitions are: C.G. O'Kelly Library (Winston-Salem State University), Coy C. Carpenter Medical Library (Wake Forest University), Forsyth County Public Library, Old Salem Museums & Gardens, and Z. Smith Reynolds Library (Wake Forest University).

Workers in the stemming room of a tobacco factory, 1938

Digital Forsyth is a wonderful place for searching for photographs that are relevant to your local history interests, as it sports more than 12,000 images through which you can browse and search, with each image containing additional information about the subjects and contents of each photograph. But that’s far from the only feature that Digital Forsyth offers!

The website additionally facilitates photograph requests via the “request a print” button on image pages. While each institution has different methods for fulfilling such requests, Digital Forsyth makes this easy to navigate. There is also the “Stories” section, which has 32 essays about historic subjects and events, with each one containing between 4 to 8 images that bring these stories to life.

 

Hotel Robert E. Lee implosion, 1972

My favorite feature (besides the images themselves) is the public comments section for each image, which enables anyone to post a comment that will appear on the image’s page itself! These comments are wonderful additions because they can directly link the person leaving the comment to the image itself, whether it be remarking that an ancestor is present in the image, recognizing a location from a childhood memory, or sharing question relating to the image itself.

Protest/freedom march by Winston-Salem State College students, 1965

These comments are a fantastic example of crowdsourcing, and they provide further information about the photographs and their historic contexts while also creating avenues for conversation, as some of the images have comments that number in the 30s and even 40s (see this image, for example).

Interior of a tobacco warehouse during the tobacco market, 1938

While Digital Forsyth is not exhaustive in the number of images it houses versus what each institution has in their collections, it provides a valuable starting point for photographic research that can then be parlayed into further inquiries with the institutions themselves. Truly a wonderful resource and tool!

Please join us for three webinars to celebrate Archives Month 2024! We've got a great lineup starting this Wednesday at noon. You will need to register in advance, so please click on the registration links below to sign up. We hope to see you there!

Wednesday, October 9 at 12:00pm 

Imaginative Uses of Online Mapping in the Archives  

Kathelene McCarty Smith, UNCG  

Registration Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_2Vv225UURrKt6VpUwwHU5g 

Wednesday, October 16 at 12:00pm 

What Puts Us on the Map: Exploring Unique Resources at Three NC Libraries  

Jessica Janecki, Duke: Lisa Unger Baskin Collection  

Jennifer Daugherty, ECU: North Carolina Periodical Index  

Stacey Krim, UNCG: Cello Music Collection  

Registration Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_6t21g_AWTGOhAfpHTqtasA

Wednesday, October 23 at 12:00pm 

Edward Moseley's "A New and Correct Map of the Province of North Carolina"

Jennifer Daugherty, ECU 

Registration Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_MSdDkxY2QdehIGl2M5zKDA

Over the next year, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Joyner Library Special Collections will be highlighting items from the East Carolina Manuscripts Collection that relate to the conflict and the individuals who served. See also the 1st and 2nd and 3rd posts. The following post was contributed by John Dunning. 

Warning: The following content features accounts of war and human suffering. Content may be upsetting to some.

The Battle of Okinawa

September 2, 2024, marks 79 years since the formal surrender of the Empire of Japan in World War 2. The dropping of two atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, coupled with the impending threat of a third and a ground invasion of mainland Japan by U.S. forces, pushed Emperor Hirohito to sign the Instrument of Surrender on the deck of the USS Missouri. This moment was the culmination of intense fighting and the loss of many lives across three and a half years.

One of the bloodiest and most crucial victories by U.S. forces to set up the surrender of Japan was the Battle of Okinawa. Beginning April 1, 1945, Okinawa was the final major obstacle in their path. Starting with heavy shelling by U.S. Naval Forces, a ground invasion of around 60,000 U.S. Marines and soldiers from the U.S. Tenth Army would follow. The battle would end in the capture of the island at the cost of approximately 49,000 American lives. The story of Okinawa, especially its planning and early days, can be found throughout the East Carolina Manuscript Collection donated by those who served.

Invasion of Okinawa, A Pictorial Review. U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation Collection: Paul R. Lash Papers (#677-073), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

Having identified the strategic importance of Okinawa, the intelligence community began planning for an eventual assault months ahead of “L-Day” on April 1st, 1945. Nicknamed “Operation Iceberg,” the U.S. Armed Forces in the Pacific conducted reconnaissance of the island, producing maps and aerial photographs to assist with the planning. An example includes the Intelligence Map Nansei Shoto Okinawa Gunto produced in January 1945.

Intelligence Map of Nansei Shoto Okinawa Gunto (#MC0014-002), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

Maps such as these identified natural obstacles to avoid, such as flooded areas in grid 8978; targets to eliminate, like a railroad station in grid 8280; or sites of strategic importance, such as the Yonabaru Airstrip in grid 8473. Additional examples of maps used in the campaign can be found in Cdr. Lynn F. Barry and Betty J. Barry Collection #1298 and U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation Collection: Roy A. Dye, Jr., Papers #0677-065.

As the preparation sped up in the wake of the victory at Iwo Jima, written plans were developed and disseminated to the participants. Some examples of these include typed guides for rehearsals of the invasion, as well the plan for the first few days of the invasion titled “Informational Outline for Operation Iceberg” included in Lieutenant Roy A. Dye, Jr.’s papers. While officers, such as Dye, were absorbed in the logistical planning, the enlisted men prepared by eating one last good meal and attending religious services.

Invasion of Okinawa, A Pictorial Review. U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation Collection: Paul R. Lash Papers (#677-073), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

As the April 1, 1945, “L-Day” drew near, U.S. Navy ships from Task Force 58 (TF58) began “softening” up the beaches for an amphibious assault on Okinawa. Captain Leon Grabowsky was a part of TF58 aboard the USS Leutze and speaks about his experience in the Leon Grabowsky Oral History Interview June 7, 1991.

Also at the forefront of the battle was Captain Willard W. DeVenter aboard the USS Arkansas who discusses his story of the battle in the Willard W. DeVenter oral history interview, August 27, 1996.

Both Grabowsky and DeVenter discuss the overwhelming amount of Japanese kamikaze attacks that plagued TF58 at the beginning of the invasion as part of the Japanese operation “Ten Go.” Grabowsky recounts facing one onslaught of over 300 kamikazes attacking T58 during the early stages of the invasion and sinking the USS Newcomb, while DeVenter details his role in preventing suicide attacks from directly striking the Arkansas. Additional stories from TF58 and the perspective of the battle from the sea can be read in the Diary of John A. Yeager aboard U.S.S. Essex, whose log detailed daily events during the battle.

Diary of John A. Yeager aboard U.S.S. Essex, August 1943 to September 1945. U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation Collection: John A. Yeager Papers (#677-053), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

For the men on the ground, the fighting was no less intense. While the East Carolina Manuscript Collection does not include much from the perspective of the Marines or Army enlisted who fought on the island, DeVenter’s account includes an anecdote that captures the difficulty of fighting on the rain-soaked, cave-dotted, rocky island under heavy fire from the entrenched Japanese soldiers. In an attempt to support forward progress on the island, DeVenter was sent with a detachment of Marines to radio-in positions, offering air support for those trying to take the Shuri lines. DeVenter details the difficulty finding cover under the barrage of Japanese bullets and the danger of getting to cover even when present: “I never got there. I never made it. So many bullets, you know, you end up down on the ground and boy, you start digging.”

After 3 months of heavy fighting, U.S. troops would eventually wrest control of Okinawa from the Japanese. Having secured their staging base for the planned invasion of Japan, preparation for the final phase of the Pacific War began. For their efforts, the heroism and sacrifice of the enlisted men at Okinawa were recognized. Both Grabowsky and DeVenter distinguished themselves with Grabowsky being awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism rescuing survivors of the sinking Newcomb and DeVenter being awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during kamikaze attacks on the Arkansas. Additionally, entire units and ships were cited, including the USS Wadsworth, who received a Presidential Citation for the efforts of its crew and officers protecting TF58 from kamikaze attacks.

Presidential Unit Citation to the USS Wadsworth. George M. Hagerman Papers (#575), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

Additional stories from the Battle of Okinawa can be found by searching our Collection Guides or through our Library Catalog.