John Adams Walters, Jr. papers

Abstract

The John Adams Walters, Jr. papers (dated 1933-1968; 0.71 cubic feet; 5 boxes) consists of diaries, correspondence, programs, certificates, photographs, a scrapbook, newspapers, and notes, which document Walters' service in World War II as well as his later career and interests.

Descriptive Summary

Title
John Adams Walters, Jr. papers
Date
1933-1968 (inclusive)
Extent
0.71 Cubic Feet
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Photography
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format.
Finding Aid Author
Deirdre A. Scaggs
Preferred Citation
2012ms606: [identification of item], John Adams Walters Jr. papers, 1933-1968, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
John Adams Walters Jr. was born May 14, 1915, in Madison County, Kentucky, to John Walters Sr. and Jennie Mable Easter. Following in the footsteps of his father, John became a lockmaster on the Kentucky River at Boonesboro after his father's retirement. On June 16, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served in the 480th Engineer Maintenance Company during World War II in the European theater. John Adams Walters, Sr. was reinstated as lockmaster until his son returned from the war in 1946 to assume the lockmaster position. He was married to Delphia Robinson Walters; they had three children; Marion, Barbara, and John A. Walters, III.
Walters was an advocate for the development of Fort Boonesborough into a National Park. He also served as a director for Blue Grass Boys State and was a honorary member of Boys Town as well as the Booneborough Lion's Club.
John Walters Jr. passed away on November 12, 1975 in Fayette County, Kentucky and is buried in the Camp Nelson National Cemetery.
Scope and Content
The John Adams Walters, Jr. papers (dated 1933-1968; 0.71 cubic feet; 5 boxes) consists of diaries, correspondence, programs, certificates, photographs, a scrapbook, newspapers, and notes, which document Walters' service in World War II as well as his later career and interests. Walters wrote the two handwritten diaries during World War II, beginning in New York City awaiting deployment to England. The diaries describe Walter's daily activities and thoughts.
The papers contain several letters between John A. Walters, Jr., his family, and friends during his European deployment. Additional items of note include two postcards depicting Boonesborough National Park; commencement programs from Walters' high school; and John A. Walters, Jr.'s Army Mechanical certification.
There are 96 photographs depicting Walters' army training, deployment, work as lockmaster on the Kentucky River, family members, and Fort Boonesborough National Park. Also included is a 20 page scrapbook containing photos also depicting Walters Jr.'s army experience.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Diaries, 1942-1944

Diary, 1942 March 26-June 16

  • Box 1, folder 1
To top

Diary, 1943 August 25-1944 January 31

  • Box 1, folder 2
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Diary, 1944 February 1-June 20

  • Box 1, folder 3
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Correspondence, 1940 March-1945, undated

Postcard to Mrs. John Walters, 1940 March

  • Box 1, folder 4
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John A. Walters, Jr. letter to Mr. John A. Walters, Sr., 1943 December 15

  • Box 1, folder 5
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John A. Walters, Jr. letter to Mr. and Mrs. S.M. Stagg, 1944 April 29

  • Box 1, folder 6
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John A. Walters, Jr. letter to Miss Alice Walters, 1945 April 18

  • Box 1, folder 7
To top

Boonesboro Beach on Kentucky River postcards, undated

  • Box 1, folder 8
To top

Programs, certificates, newspapers, and notes, 1933-1968

Whitehall high school commencement program, 1933

  • Box 1, folder 9
To top

Holabird Ordinance General Automotive Mechanics Certificate for John A. Walters, Jr., 1942 August 24-November 13

  • Box 1, folder 10
To top

Army Services Forces New York Port of Embarkation, 1945 November 19

  • Box 1, folder 11
To top

U.S. Army Separation Qualification Record, 1945 November 30

  • Box 1, folder 12
To top

Certificates of Honor for John A. Walters III, 1947-1948

  • Box 1, folder 13
To top

Certificates of Attendance for John A. Walters III, 1948 February 11-March 10

  • Box 1, folder 14
To top

Boys Town Certificate J.A. Walters, Jr., 1956 December 25

  • Box 1, folder 15
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Presidential Certificate Awarded to John A. Walters, Jr., undated

  • Box 1, folder 16
To top

Kilmer Eagle newspaper, 1945 November 23

  • Box 1, folder 17
To top

Newspaper articles on John A. Walters, Jr. and Boonesboro Park, 1968-1975

  • Box 1, folder 18
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"Daily Notes", undated

  • Box 1, folder 19
To top

Photographs, 1943, undated

Army Portrait Bloom Photographers, undated

  • Box 1, folder 20
To top

Jack Dempsey's Bar and Lounge photograph, undated

  • Box 1, folder 21
To top

Staff Sgt. Miller, Baltimore, MD, undated

  • Box 2, item 1
To top

Group photograph of soldiers on porch, undated

  • Box 2, item 2
Biographical / Historical

Men in photo,left to right: Henry Main, George Cheek, James Chaveaux, Carl Manike, Richard Colburn

To top

Herbert Macom with group of men, undated

  • Box 2, item 3
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Army base, undated

  • Box 2, item 4
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Soldiers overlooking ocean, undated

  • Box 2, item 5
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Ship profile, undated

  • Box 2, item 6
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Ship deck lifeboats, undated

  • Box 2, item 7
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Soldiers on deck, undated

  • Box 2, item 8
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Soldiers sitting on deck, undated

  • Box 2, item 9
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Overhead view soldiers on deck, undated

  • Box 2, item 10
To top

Ship steam funnels, undated

  • Box 2, item 11
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Soldiers sitting on ship deck, undated

  • Box 2, item 13
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Ship at dock, undated

  • Box 2, item 14
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Ship stern with American flag, undated

  • Box 2, item 15
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Soldier wearing life jacket on deck, undated

  • Box 2, item 16
To top

Soldiers reading on deck, undated

  • Box 2, item 17
To top

Fighter jet overhead, undated

  • Box 2, item 18
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Soldiers watching fighter jet, undated

  • Box 2, item 19
To top

Soldiers cheering fighter jet, undated

  • Box 2, item 20
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Empty ship deck, undated

  • Box 2, item 21
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Walkway onto ship, undated

  • Box 2, item 22
To top

Soldiers at ship railing, undated

  • Box 2, item 23
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Soldiers in coats on deck, undated

  • Box 2, item 24
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Electric pole at army camp, undated

  • Box 2, item 25
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Unidentified man, undated

  • Box 2, item 26
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Man in jacket, undated

  • Box 2, item 27
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Two men, undated

  • Box 2, item 28
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Two men in yard, undated

  • Box 2, item 29
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Man outside warehouse, undated

  • Box 2, item 30
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Group of men outside cabin, undated

  • Box 2, item 31
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Group of men under tree, undated

  • Box 2, item 32
To top

Man in front of full truck bed, undated

  • Box 2, item 33
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Man by truck wheels, undated

  • Box 2, item 34
To top

Man in jeep, undated

  • Box 2, item 35
To top

Two men in jeep, undated

  • Box 2, item 36
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Army trucks, undated

  • Box 2, item 37
To top

480th Maintenance Co. sign, undated

  • Box 2, item 38
To top

Stockyard and warehouses, undated

  • Box 2, item 39
To top

Barracks with chairs outside, undated

  • Box 2, item 40
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Stockyard, undated

  • Box 2, item 41
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Street, undated

  • Box 2, item 42
To top

Man with dog, undated

  • Box 2, item 43
To top

Dog on bucket shelf, undated

  • Box 2, item 44
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Stockyard with countryside, undated

  • Box 2, item 45
To top

Crane and trucks close up, undated

  • Box 2, item 46
To top

Crane and trucks, undated

  • Box 2, item 47
To top

Mechanics in warehouse, undated

  • Box 2, item 48
To top

Mechanical equipment in warehouse, undated

  • Box 2, item 49
To top

Church day blue army maneuvers, 1943

  • Box 2, item 50
To top

Lt. Way and Lt. Mocoho straightening up, undated

  • Box 2, item 51
To top

En route N.C. to Tenn. French branch river, undated

  • Box 2, item 52
To top

En route N. Carolina to Tenn., 1943

  • Box 2, item 53
To top

Morning exercises Pvt. McKinley, 1943

  • Box 2, item 54
To top

Old Betsy 20 caliber machine gun, 1943

  • Box 2, item 55
To top

Goldbricks wartrace, Tenn., undated

  • Box 2, item 56
To top

Scene of concentration camp at Germany, undated

  • Box 2, item 57
To top

Negative of Kentucky river lock system, undated

  • Box 2, item 58
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Negative river lock, undated

  • Box 2, item 59
To top

Negative girl in chair, undated

  • Box 2, item 60
To top

Negative high water river, undated

  • Box 2, item 61
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Negative lock waterfall, undated

  • Box 2, item 62
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Negative lock walkway, undated

  • Box 2, item 63
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Negative lock waterfall and boat, undated

  • Box 2, item 64
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Negative lock waterfall sideview, undated

  • Box 2, item 65
To top

Negative boy and girl in halloween costumes, undated

  • Box 2, item 66
To top

Negative boy in cowboy costume, undated

  • Box 2, item 67
To top

Negative boy and girl in costumes, undated

  • Box 2, item 68
To top

Negative boy and man with fish, undated

  • Box 2, item 69
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Negative house along river, undated

  • Box 2, item 70
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Negative lock waterfall, undated

  • Box 2, item 71
To top

Negative submerged trees in river, undated

  • Box 2, item 72
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Negative rock waterfall with trees, undated

  • Box 2, item 73
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Man with fish, undated

  • Box 2, item 74
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Ferry at river dock, undated

  • Box 2, item 75
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View of dock from ferry, undated

  • Box 2, item 76
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River lock, undated

  • Box 2, item 77
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River waterfall, undated

  • Box 2, item 78
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River dam and waterfall, undated

  • Box 2, item 79
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Interior lock, undated

  • Box 2, item 80
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Tug boat, undated

  • Box 2, item 81
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River ferry, undated

  • Box 2, item 82
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Chenoka ferry, undated

  • Box 2, item 83
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Ferry at dock, undated

  • Box 2, item 84
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Two men gymnastics on beach, undated

  • Box 2, item 85
To top

Group photograph on porch, undated

  • Box 2, item 86
To top

Man on river lock, undated

  • Box 3, item 87
To top

Two men and boy on porch, undated

  • Box 3, item 88
To top

River lock and hillside, undated

  • Box 3, item 89
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School photograph of boy, undated

  • Box 3, item 90
To top

School photograph of boy, undated

  • Box 4, item 91
To top

School photograph of boy and girl, undated

  • Box 4, item 92
To top

480th company engineers group photograph, undated

  • Box 4, item 93
To top

Gov. Carroll, J. Walters, and marine counselor of KY boys, 1975 June

  • Box 2, item 94
To top

Scrapbook, 1943, undated

Man with wheelbarrow, undated

  • Box 5, folder 1, item 1
To top

Men with wheelbarrows, undated

  • Box 5, folder 1, item 2
To top

Men digging ditch, undated

  • Box 5, folder 1, item 3
To top

Men posing with shovels, undated

  • Box 5, folder 1, item 4
To top

Men with wheelbarrows, undated

  • Box 5, folder 1, item 5
To top

Man running at camera, undated

  • Box 5, folder 1, item 6
To top

Man next to car, undated

  • Box 5, folder 1, item 7
To top

Men riding in car, undated

  • Box 5, folder 1, item 8
To top

John A. Walters, Jr. army salute, undated

  • Box 5, folder 2, item 9
To top

John A. Walters, Jr. army uniform, undated

  • Box 5, folder 2, item 10
To top

John A. Walters, Jr. army uniform tennis court, undated

  • Box 5, folder 2, item 11
To top

John A. Walters, Jr. and man in uniform, undated

  • Box 5, folder 2, item 12
To top

"Me and my shadow" Joe Tingle and John A. Walters, Jr., undated

  • Box 5, folder 2, item 13
To top

The Captain approaching J. Spine and John A. Walters, Jr., undated

  • Box 5, folder 2, item 14
To top

Two men in army uniforms, undated

  • Box 5, folder 2, item 15
To top

Man in cap on corner, undated

  • Box 5, folder 2, item 16
To top

Sidewinder J. Spine, undated

  • Box 5, folder 2, item 17
To top

Break convoy N.C.-Tenn., undated

  • Box 5, folder 3, item 18
To top

Break en route convoy, 1943 April

  • Box 5, folder 3, item 19
To top

French broad river enroute N.C.-Tenn., undated

  • Box 5, folder 3, item 20
To top

Capt. l. Frederick Commander, undated

  • Box 5, folder 3, item 21
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Approaching mountains enroute to Tenn., undated

  • Box 5, folder 3, item 22
To top

Sgt. Gust, Pvt. Knapp, 1943 April

  • Box 5, folder 3, item 23
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Dam in Tenn., 1943 April

  • Box 5, folder 3, item 24
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Lake in Tenn. on move, undated

  • Box 5, folder 3, item 25
To top

First Sgt. Meyes, Col. Emigh, undated

  • Box 5, folder 3, item 26
To top

P.F.C. Howard 'Mac' MacKacken, undated

  • Box 5, folder 3, item 29
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Pvt. McKinley bivouac arena, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 4, item 30
To top

"Run, japs, run" P.F.C. Magone, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 4, item 31
To top

P.F.C. Clarence Murdough "should have stayed in his fox hole," Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 4, item 32
To top

"Tarzan" Pvt. McKinley, "mission accomplished," Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 4, item 33
To top

"Cabbage" foxhole, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 4, item 34
To top

P.F.C. Lister "writing home in style", 1943

  • Box 5, folder 4, item 35
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Sgt. Hollingseed "our bath" maneuvers, Tenn., undated

  • Box 5, folder 4, item 36
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Sgt. Grant, Cpl. Dank, 1943 April

  • Box 5, folder 4, item 37
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"Chinese laundry" maneuvers, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 4, item 38
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"Barber day" Cpl. Algerio, Sgt. Giles, 1943

  • Box 5, folder 4, item 39
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"Expert camouflage" P.F.C. Magonone, Pvt. McKinnley, undated

  • Box 5, folder 4, item 40
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Cpl. Lee writing home, undated

  • Box 5, folder 4, item 41
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Maganone taking a rest, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 42
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Mac "rounding up" maneuvers, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 43
To top

"Our bath" Cpl. Young, unidentified, John A. Walters, Jr. Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 44
To top

P.F.C. Maganone "the final touch" Shelbyville, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 45
To top

Sgt. Nelson "pop," foxholes again, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 46
To top

Mac "relaxing" digging foxhole near Nashville, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 47
To top

Blurry photo, two men bathing in river, undated

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 48
To top

Pvt. Maganone "daily bath," Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 49
To top

Testing outboard motors, Lt. Scott and John A. Walters, Jr., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 50
To top

Sgt. Grantz "cutting" maneuvers, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 51
To top

"The village smithy's" maneuvers, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 52
To top

Mac "siesta" maneuvers, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 53
To top

Wrecked truck, Cpl. Lee, Pvt. McKinley, John A. Walters, Jr., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 54
To top

Cpl. Hanna "Greenhorn," John A. Walters, Jr. maneuvers, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 55
To top

"Part of gang goldbricking" maneuvers, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 56
To top

"Wrecked truck before final finishing", 1943

  • Box 5, folder 5, item 57
To top

Cpl. Lee welding, John A. Walters, Jr., undated

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 58
To top

Cpl. Lee "arcing" damage, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 59
To top

"Working on wrecked truck" P.F.C. Howard MacMacken, John A. Walters, Jr., undated

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 60
To top

Mac "welding" wrecked truck, undated

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 61
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Working on wrecked truck, undated

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 62
To top

Working on wrecked truck, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 63
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Pvt. Maganone "at the arc," Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 64
To top

P.F.C. Maganone "doing his bit" welding, Tenn., 1943

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 65
To top

Chapel #1 Amarillo field, undated

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 66
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Chapel #2 Amarillo field, undated

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 67
To top

H. Van Dan Dog and his pay $1.68, 1942 December 31

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 68
To top

Celebrating New Year's Eve, 1942 December 31

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 69
To top

Barracks 913, undated

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 70
To top

John A. Walters, Jr. "my second pay", 1942 December 31

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 71
To top

New Year's Eve and no pass, 1942 December 31

  • Box 5, folder 6, item 72
To top

Steamliner, undated

  • Box 5, folder 7, item 73
To top

Steamliner, again, undated

  • Box 5, folder 7, item 74
To top

Huntingdon, St. Peter's Hill, England, undated

  • Box 5, folder 7, item 75
To top

St. Peters Hill, England, undated

  • Box 5, folder 7, item 76
To top

Europa, steamliner, undated

  • Box 5, folder 7, item 77
To top

"Sighted sinkers, sank same" American Red Cross postcard, Great Britain, undated

  • Box 5, folder 7, item 78
To top

"Fueling up!" American Red Cross postcard, Great Britain, undated

  • Box 5, folder 7, item 79
To top

Soldiers at congregation, undated

  • Box 5, folder 7, item 80
To top

Mr. and Mrs. Green, Cambridge, England, undated

  • Box 5, folder 7, item 81
To top

Trafalgar Square, London, undated

  • Box 5, folder 7, item 82
To top

Two men and jeep, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 92
To top

Man in car by tree, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 93
To top

Man in army uniform, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 94
To top

Man by truck bed, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 95
To top

Men in front of barrack, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 98
To top

Man outside building, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 99
To top

John A. Walters, Jr. and man, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 100
To top

John A. Walters, Jr. and man in uniform, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 101
To top

Man in uniform, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 102
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Man with dog, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 103
To top

Woodpallets and surrounding countryside, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 104
To top

John A. Walters, Jr. in uniform front of barracks, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 105
To top

Barracks and yard, undated

  • Box 5, folder 8, item 106
To top

Souvenir cards series a and b, undated

  • Box 5, folder 9, item 83
To top

Souvenir card envelope, undated

  • Box 5, folder 9, item 84-85
To top

Soldiers outdoors, undated

  • Box 5, folder 9, item 86
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John A. Walters, Jr. uniform, undated

  • Box 5, folder 9, item 87
To top

John A. Walters, Jr. and man on bicycle, undated

  • Box 5, folder 9, item 88
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Two men outdoors, undated

  • Box 5, folder 9, item 89
To top

John A. Walters, Jr. in uniform, undated

  • Box 5, folder 9, item 90
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John A. Walters, Jr. in casual wear, undated

  • Box 5, folder 9, item 91
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480th Maintenance Camp sign, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 107
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John A. Walters, Jr. candid shot, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 108
To top

Outside view barracks, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 109
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Company signs and barracks, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 110
To top

480th Maintenance Company, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 111
To top

Road and garden outside camp, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 112
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Close up camp sign, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 113
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Man in workyard, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 114
To top

Jeep outside barracks, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 115
To top

Dog on bucket shelf, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 116
To top

View crane in stockyard, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 117
To top

Company sign and barracks, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 118
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View outside warehouse, undated

  • Box 5, folder 10, item 119
To top

Fighter plane air formation, undated

  • Box 5, folder 11, item 121
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Man and John A. Walters, Jr. front of crane, undated

  • Box 5, folder 11, item 122
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Army trucks in yard, undated

  • Box 5, folder 11, item 123
To top

Close up army trucks, undated

  • Box 5, folder 11, item 124
To top

Fighter plane air formation, undated

  • Box 5, folder 11, item 125
To top

Man in jeep, undated

  • Box 5, folder 11, item 126
To top

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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.