Randolph W. Kirkland papers, ca. 1860-1974.

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Randolph W. Kirkland papers, ca. 1860-1974.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/70978336

Collection chiefly consists of correspondence (1941-1974) and military records of Kirkland. In addition, there are a few letters (mostly dated 1871-1872) from May or Mary in Yorkville, S.C., to "Mother" and "Bly," and a photograph (ca. 1860) of William Lennox Kirkland (d. 1864). Kirkland's wartime letters (1944-1945, mostly without specific dates) are sometimes graphic and describe fierce fighting against Japanese guerilla forces in the jungles and mountains of New Guinea and Leyte and Luzon, Philippines. Kirkland writes of oppressive rainy weather and insects, meeting a cannibal tribesman in New Guinea, Japanese casualties, war souvenirs such as flags and the identification tag taken from a dead Japanese soldier, Japanese troops killing their wounded and committing mass suicide on Luzon (27 Feb. 1945), and the disarming of coastal batteries in Japan at the time of the surrender. Postwar correspondence, dating mostly from 1946 to 1962, includes letters from Kirkland to his wife and family while he was working in Schenectady (N.Y.) and Genova (i.e., Genoa, Italy). Military records include printed material and other papers (1943) pertaining to Kirkland's paratrooper training at Fort Benning, Ga., an operational map of Leyte, a typescript "Unit Journal" recording activities of the 3rd Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry in November and December of 1944, a pocket diary (1944?), and various artifacts including a Japanese flag (captured during the raid on Los Baños POW camp), dog tags, and a canvas rigger bag. Miscellaneous items include clippings, a scrapbook (1939-1945) containing military records and photographs, and a typescript account of Kirkland's stay in the village of Lu, Monferrato, Italy, during the spring and summer of 1955.

0.5 linear ft.

South Carolina Historical Society

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 8066238

South Carolina Historical Society

Related Entities

There are 5 Entities related to this resource.

Kirkland, Randolph W. (Randolph Withers), 1920-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6np4mpj (person)

Randolph W. Kirkland, a native of Camden, S.C., graduated from Clemson College with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1941 and took a job with the General Electric Company. During World War II he served in the 3rd Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne Division, in the Pacific Theater, achieving the rank of captain. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on Luzon (Philippines), the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement at Leyte (Philippines), and other honors. K...

United States. Army. Parachute Infantry Regiment, 511th

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6d01fxd (corporateBody)

United States. Army

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6km312r (corporateBody)

The United States Army is the largest branch of the United States Armed Forces and performs land-based military operations. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States and is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution, Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1 and United States Code, Title 10, Subtitle B, Chapter 301, Section 3001. As the largest and senior branch of the U.S. military, the modern U.S. Army has its roots in the Continental Army, which wa...

Kirkland, William Lennox, -1864

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6kw5gpq (person)

Los Baños Internment Camp.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w67m8gts (corporateBody)