World War, 1939-1945

Gabriel Alexander Papers

abarker — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:58:26 -0400

Attorney Gabriel Alexander served with the Region XI National War Labor Board and the National Wage Stabilization Board during World War II. In the private sector he served in the American Arbitration Association, and acted as arbitrator for cases such as General Motors and the UAW from 1948 to 1956, and as a permanent arbitrator for Great Lakes Steel-United Steelworkers. The papers of Mr. Alexander reflect his work in both the government and private sector as it relates to the interaction between union and management.

Part I contains government service files documenting Mr. Alexander's role as hearing officer, public panel member, or advisor in labor matters of importance to state and federal government agencies.

Part II contains private sector case files documenting Mr. Alexander's role as an arbitrator or referee in dispute cases.

George Burt Papers

abarker — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:56:28 -0400

George Burt served as Director of the Canadian region of the United Auto Workers from 1939 until his retirement in 1968. Mr. Burt’s papers are largely composed of council meeting minutes and Mr. Burt’s reports to the council. Also present are papers related to World War II labor issues, and the history of the UAW in Canada.

CIO Office of the Secretary-Treasurer Records

drice — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:58:06 -0400

Part 1 contains James B. Carey records, secretary-treasurer of the CIO from 1938 to 1955. Mr. Carey served as chairman of the CIO Civil Rights Committee and secretary-treasurer of the Philip Murray Memorial Foundation. He was the CIO representative to many international conferences, held a number of advisory positions with U.S. government agencies, and was on the executive boards of many private organizations. The topics cover a wide range of CIO activities. Among these are attempts to reunite the AFL and the CIO from 1937 to 1942 and again in 1955; Harry Bridges; communism in the labor movement; financial affairs of the CIO; International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and World Federation of Trade Unions; disputes within electrical workers' unions; CIO and Latin America; labor in World War II; anti-communism, and political action. Correspondents include nearly every major labor figure for the period.

Part 2 contains George L.P. Weaver records. In addition to serving as assistant secretary-treasurer of the CIO, he also held at various times the positions of assistant to the president of the United Transportation Service Employees Union; director of the ClO's Civil Rights Committee; assistant to the chairman of the National Security Resources Board; and member of the Committee to Reorganize the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Mr. Weaver also played leading roles in the senatorial and presidential campaigns of Stuart Syrnington. In addition to labor topics, the Weaver papers cover Americans for Democratic Action; civil rights; Atlantic Conference of 1959; tin missions to Bolivia and southeast Asia (1951-52); housing; defense; manpower; McCarran-Walter Immigration Bill; NAACP; and the Taft-Hartley Act.

Part 3 contains records from the office of James Carey. In addition to material relating to his tenure as Secretary-Treasurer, there are some records relating to his role in the IUE. Topics covered include: UE; anti-Communism; expulsion of left-led unions from CIO; and HUAC.

Clara M. Vincent Papers

aorchard — Fri, 22 May 2015 16:02:04 -0400

Born in 1895 in Ingham County Michigan, Clara M. Vincent was a peace and civil rights
activist. Vincent immediately became entrenched in peace activism after the end of World War I. Her activism largely focused on civil rights, peace, nuclear disarmament, world hunger, and the separation of church and state. She was involved in innumerable organizations, including: Livonia Citizens for Better Human Relations, the Detroit branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Farmington, the Jane Addams Peace Association, and Americans for the Separation of Church and State. Moreover, she was a member of the Warsaw Peace Congress, in addition to aiding the Progressive Party’s Henry Wallace in his presidential campaign, during which she worked alongside Paul Robeson.

The Clara M. Vincent Papers includes correspondence, political flyers, and pamphlets from
Vincent’s political activities. Additionally, this collection contains a notable amount of
newspaper clippings revolving around racism, warfare, nuclear disarmament, and the formation of the Progressive Party.

George C. Edwards, Jr. Papers, Parts 1-4

drice — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:39:40 -0400

George Edwards, Jr., son of George Clifton Edwards, attended Harvard University where he became involved with the Student League for Industrial Democracy. After coming to Detroit in 1936, he became a UAW organizer with Walter Reuther, was appointed director of the Detroit Housing Commission, and served on the Detroit Common Council. After serving in WWII, he went into private practice, followed by judgeships in the Wayne County court system. In 1956, Edwards was appointed to the Michigan State Supreme Court. In 1962 he was invited by Mayor Jerome Cavanagh to the post of Police Commissioner of Detroit where he focused his attention on organized crime and discrimination. After serving two years he was nominated to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals by President John F. Kennedy, and eventually served as a Chief Judge. He retired in 1991 and passed away in 1995.

Parts I-III of his papers reflects his early high school and college days, including correspondence with his father and material from his involvement in several student groups. Edward, Jr.'s various judicial campaigns, particularly his Michigan Supreme Court appointment, as well as his directorship of the Detroit Housing Commission are documented. Personal papers, including wartime correspondence with his wife, are included, as are newspaper clippings dealing with a variety of topics relevant to Detroit politics and events.

Part IV of Edwards, Jr.'s contains personal and career related correspondence from his service in the military through the 1980’s, with much focus on his nomination and confirmation to the Sixth Circuit Court. Included are many speeches and writings, his activities with professional organizations, a photocopy of his manuscript of the biography of his father, Pioneers at Law, and memorial tributes and letters of condolence to his family.

John Herling Papers

drice — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:38:31 -0500

John Herling was a prolific journalist, working for several publications and serving as White House correspondent and syndicated columnist specializing in labor affairs throughout the 1950s & 1960s. He owned "John Herling's Labor Letter," which he edited and published from 1947-1990, as well as authoring several books, including Strikes Under the New Deal, The Great Price Conspiracy and The Right to Challenge. Herling was also working on other books about the labor movement, including a book about the UAW, at the time of his death in 1994.

His papers reflect his interest in writing about the labor movement in America. The records in Part 2 consist primarily of interviews conducted by Herling as research for a book on the UAW, which was ultimately written by John Barnard and published in 2004 under the title, American Vanguard: The United Auto Workers During the Reuther Years, 1935-1970. The interviews were conducted mainly with people associated with the UAW, however several involve people in other labor unions. The records consist of transcripts or notes (taken during interviews that were not recorded), although there are a few speech and panel transcripts as well (noted in inventory). There are also audio recordings of interviews, panels, and conferences. Researchers should note that some pages of interview transcripts are missing, some audio recordings are unmarked, and not all interviews exist in both transcript and audio recording format.

Mary Fox Herling Papers

drice — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:42:35 -0500

The wife of John Herling, Mary Fox Herling was a member of the Socialist Party. She worked for the League for Industrial Democracy, the War Labor Board, the Washington Newspaper Guild, and the Group Housing Cooperative which built the Bannockburn Community in Maryland.

Her papers are mostly personal correspondence, but also reflect her professional affiliations.

Herbert Lindberg Papers

abarker — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:31:55 -0400

Herbert Lindberg served in the Ninth United States Army during World War II. Mr. Lindberg’s papers are composed of materials recovered from the castle of Dr. Josef Goebbels and reflect the status of laborers and labor organizations in Nazi Germany, included is a manuscript written by Dr. Goebbels, “From the Imperial Palace to the State Chancery,” documenting Hitler’s rise to power.

Maryann Mahaffey Papers

srafferty — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 09:34:02 -0500

Maryann Mahaffey was born on January 18, 1925 in Burlington, Iowa to Kent and Margaret ‘Nell’ [Widener] Mahaffey. Mahaffey’s older brother was also named Kent. While she was attending Cornell College, she decided to spend the summer of 1945 working as a Recreation Director at Poston Internment Camp in Arizona. This work had a profound effect on Mahaffey in regard to fighting against discrimination and helping people in need.
After obtaining masters degrees in social work from the University of Southern California, Mahaffey and her husband moved briefly in Indianapolis before moving to Detroit. Mahaffey worked with organizations like Young Woman's Christian Association (YWCA), Girl Scouts of America, Merrill Palmer Institute, and Brightmoor Community Center before becoming involved in local politics.
After working as a consultant to the Mayor of Detroit on parks, recreation, and social services, Mahaffey initiated and chaired the Mayor's Task Force on Malnutrition and Hunger before running for Wayne County Commissioner in 1970. Though she did not win the election for this position, she did win a Michigan Supreme Court case setting a legal precedent for married women running for public office with their maiden name. In 1973, Mahaffey ran for Detroit City Council and won, she served on the city council until 2005.
Active outside of her council work, Mahaffey also taught as a Professor at Wayne State University School of Social Work as well as participating in many social work and positive social force organizations. She played important roles in the Michigan Social Work Council, National Association of Social Workers (NASW) including being their first elected female President, and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). Mahaffey also focused heavily on organization promoting peace, women in politics, health, and equality.
Mahaffey was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2005 and passed away on July 27, 2006 due to health complications.

This collection contains materials with a heavy emphasis on the city of Detroit, as well as social work and social service organizations.
From Mahaffey's numerous decades on the Detroit City Council, there are detailed notes, correspondence, and reports relating to the daily work was involved in including city budget, casinos, an anti-surveillance ordinance, housing, and many other subjects of focus. This collection also contains materials related to her teaching at Wayne State University including detailed information on social service organizations in Metro Detroit. Other important elements of this collection relate to her experience working at Poston, the many organizations Mahaffey played an active role in running and organizing, and the speeches, testimony, and writing she did covering the broad range of her experience and interests.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Edna Noble White Records

drice — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:34:05 -0500

Edna Noble White, a pioneer in family life education, served as first director of the Merrill-Palmer Institute from her appointment in 1920 until her retirement in 1947. Under Edna Noble White’s leadership, the Institute expanded its services to include a student program of college level courses in child development, family life, parenting skills, and nursery education as well as the Merrill-Palmer Nursery School, Camps, Farm, Infant Services, and Recreational Clubs.
Ms. White was also very active professionally on a national level and engaged with Detroit youth services agencies.

The records of Edna Noble White contain personal and professional correspondence; minutes from various national, state, and local organizations as well as Merrill-Palmer committees; literature regarding child and parental education; research studies relating to child development, family relations, and immigrant acculturation; and correspondence and literature from a number of federal agencies concerned with child and family welfare.

Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO "Labor News" Photographs

eclemens — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 13:33:10 -0500

The Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO "Labor News" Photographs consist of several hundred 8x10, black and white photo prints used within the publication. Of particular note are photo prints that document the activities of the FDR-CIO Summer School. The content covers union activities, historical events, persons of interest, and civic activities, and offers a unique view into the activities of the AFL-CIO throughout
Michigan, particularly in Metropolitan Detroit, during the mid-20th century.

Emma Schaver Papers

drice — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:58:07 -0400

Emma Lazaroff Schaver (March 15, 1905 - February 4, 2003) was best known as a Jewish opera and folk singer and Labor Zionist. She was a member of the first Jewish delegation to the Displaced Persons camps after World War II where she sang to survivors of the Holocaust. She toured the United States, Canada, Europe and South and Central America as a soprano with various opera companies and as a soloist. Along with her husband, Morris Schaver, Emma was respected for promoting Jewish culture in the United States, and for philanthropic work in the local Detroit Jewish community and Israel.

The Emma Schaver Papers contain correspondence with family, friends, and Zionist and Israeli leaders covering her career, philanthropic and Zionist activities. The collection also includes correspondence, diary fragments, notebooks, authorization papers, and photographs from her experiences in the D. P. camps as well as manuscript copies of her book in Hebrew, Yiddish and English. Her music career is highlighted through newspaper clippings and publicity, photographs, and sound recordings as well as concert posters and programs. Her charitable work and Zionist activities are documented through newspaper clippings and publicity, as well as medals, awards and plaques she received in honor of her work for Israel and Jewish culture. A large number of scrapbooks can be found, both assembled by Emma and given to her, which highlight her career and activities, as well as those of her husband, Morris, and son, Isaac. Emma's personal life is represented largely through a significant number of family photographs, and photo albums.

Ted F. Silvey Papers

drice — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:21:11 -0500

Ted Silvey began in the printer's trade before moving up the ranks in the Ohio Congress of Industrial Organizations and joining the national CIO Speakers Bureau in 1944. In that capacity, he lectured at labor union schools, union meetings and conferences, and non-union gatherings. His papers document his public speaking for the CIO as well as his writings, especially those on automation, computer, and industrial technology.

UAW Education Department: Victor Reuther Records

drice — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:41:57 -0500

The United Auto Workers Education Department is the largest of its kind in the American labor movement and offers a wide variety of programming for local union leaders to members and their families.

The records in this collection cover the tenure of Victor Reuther, who directed the department from 1946-1951. Material reflects not only his leadership of the department, but his community involvement, and international ties with organizations such as the Anglo-American Productivity Council and the Economic Cooperation Administration. Important events during this time, such as Reuther's shooting in 1949, are also covered.

UAW Local 602 Records

drice — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:22:09 -0400

United Auto Worker Local 602 services Fisher Body Division of General Motors in Lansing, MI. The local's records document routine operations as well as its contribution to the development of the UAW and the advancement of labor in the community.

UAW Local 887 Records

drice — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:31:42 -0400

Local 887 of the United Auto Workers was borne out of labor struggles between its predecessor union, UAW-CIO Local 683, and North American Aviation in Los Angeles, CA shortly before American involvement in WWII. Because of the company's production of military aircraft, the federal government has historically been closely involved with labor disputes affecting Local 887's members.

The records of UAW Local 887 reflect the union's long struggle with management over such issues as wages and union rights. Part 1 contains information relating to cases with the National War Labor Board, the National Labor Relations Board and the Wage Stabilization Board. Part 2 contains mainly Executive Board and Joint Council minutes, as well as individual unit minutes. Also included are correspondence, negotiations and agreements.

UAW President's Office: R.J. Thomas Papers

drice — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:17:49 -0500

Minutes of the UAW Executive Board (1940-47). correspondence, clippings, reports, and memorabilia collected by Mr. Thomas during his tenure as president of the UAW (1939-46). and vice-president (1937-39 and 1946-47). He was assistant to Philip Murray from 1947 to 1956, and to George Meany from 1956 to 1964. Subjects of interest in the collection are UAW factionalism, General Motors Strike (1945-46). Allis Chalmers Strike (1947), the UAW war effort, and the organization of the West Coast aircraft industry. Correspondents include George Addes, John Brophy, Richard Frankensteen, Homer Martin, George Meany, Wyndham Mortimer, Frank Murphy, Victor Reuther, Walter Reuther, August Scholle, Maurice Sugar. An oral history interview with Mr. Thomas is available.

A. Randall Vinitsky Papers

drice — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:47:10 -0400

A. Randall Vinitsky was an advertising artist active from the 1920s to 1950s. He began his career in Detroit at the Franklin Press, but moved on to Oklahoma City in 1920 to work for the Southwestern Advertising Company. He also owned his own company, Vinitsky Art Studio, and was known for creating movie displays at the Criterion and Capitol Theaters. In Oklahoma he belonged to the Oklahoma City Advertising Club, where he headed The Problem Pirates and the Gridiron Committee. In 1925 he moved back to Detroit, first working at Meinzinger Studios and then for Chrysler Corporation where he produced artwork for promotions from the 1930s to 1950s.

The A. Randall Vinitsky collection includes correspondence, newsletters, flyers and articles from Vinitsky’s membership in the Oklahoma City Advertising Club, and samples of his work in advertising and also movie posters and promotions in Oklahoma City from the 1920s. It also includes sales promotions, pamphlets, and ads for Chrysler from the 1930s to 1950s. Of particular note are the war production and war bond propaganda posters he created in the 1940s for use in Chrysler factories. Produced for the Labor-Management Committee and directed at war plant workers, the collection contains black-and-white reproductions and preliminary sketches of the original silk-screened color posters.

William Gernaey Papers

kschmeling — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 13:13:34 -0400

William Gernaey served as an investigator for Chrysler Corporation and Ford Motor Company. He also worked in the same capacity with the, FBI, the State of Michigan and City of Detroit police departments, as well as Army and Navy intelligence.

His records include correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, undercover field notes, background subject files, an autobiography and personal records.

Herman Wolf Papers

drice — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:25:05 -0500

Herman Wolf became an active member of the Socialist Party while in college and subsequently embarked on a career as a labor newspaper editor and publicity agent with several labor unions and city newspapers. He applied his background in working for the U.S. government during WWII, a mass housing production organization, and local political groups. His papers cover these facets of his professional career. Part II specifically addresses Wolf’s activities at the U.S. Treasury Department working on publicity for war bond drives and at the War Production Board working on publicity for Labor-Management Committees and war production.

WSU College of Liberal Arts, Health, and Physical Education Department: George B. Sherman Records

kschmeling — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 10:30:41 -0400

George B. "Shorty" Sherman, served as WSU's athletic business manager from 1938-1972. During this time, Sherman also served in the capacity of sports information director from 1939-1946. In his 34 years of service to the University, Sherman performed hundreds of duties ranging from writing publicity releases and supervising the cheerleaders to lining the field and blowing up the football. Born in Boston in 1905, Sherman came to Detroit at the age of two. He graduated from Northern High School and entered City College of Detroit (WSU) in 1924. When he graduated in 1940, City College had become Wayne University. Sherman was president of the College Athletic Business Managers Association (CABMA) from 1967-68, vice president from 1964-67 and secretary-treasurer from 1961-64. It was at this time that Sherman became nationally known for his hard work and dedication to athletics. He received the Citizen's Sportsman Award in 1969 from the Detroit Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. He also won the Athletic Business Managers Award in 1971, the year before he retired. Former Mayor of Detroit, the late Jerome Cavanagh, proclaimed June 9, 1963 as George B. Sherman Day.

Wayne University Enlisted Men's Alumni Association: The Weekly Chit-Chat

cwesterman — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:31:58 -0400

This collection consists of newsletters sent to student athletes and former student athletes of Wayne University serving in the military during World War II. The newsletters, written and compiled by George B. Sherman of the university's Athletic Department, collected information and anecdotes submitted by servicemen affiliated with athletics at Wayne, as well as reports on the progress of Wayne's sports teams. The newsletter was originally titled "The Weekly Chit-Chat," until Sherman renamed it "The Chit-Chat" in November 1944, acknowledging that he had been unable to maintain a weekly schedule. The first letter collected here is "The Weekly Chit-Chat #38," dated April 27, 1944; the last is "The Chit-Chat #56," dated June 23, 1945.

Theodore Miles Papers

cwesterman — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:16:21 -0400

Theodore Miles was an instructor in the English Department at Wayne University from
1938 to 1942 and served in the Navy from 1942 until his death in 1945. His papers consist of correspondence between him and his wife Dorothy during their times of separation during WWII. The letters generally reference domestic and financial matters, social activities, news of friends and family. Also include are many descriptions of daily Navy life, the people with whom he interacted as well as duties he performed. The letters describe interesting events and people that Miles observed in his work. Subjects covered include Wayne University, World War II, U.S. Navy, Fire Control Schools, wartime travel, navy administration, and the U.S.S. Indianapolis.

Rudolf J. Noer Papers

cwesterman — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 10:42:42 -0500

Rudolf J. Noer was an instructor at Wayne University, who was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1940. During the second World War, Dr. Noer served as a doctor at the 36th General Hospital, a field hospital under the sponsorship of Wayne University, School of Medicine.

The first 36th General Hospital was created during WWI under the title of Base Hospital 36 and was located in Vittel, France. During WWII, Dean Edgar H. Norris of Wayne University sought approval to recreate the success of Base Hospital 36 from the War Department, and was granted permission to create a 1,000-bed hospital in 1942. Upon gaining approval, Dean Norris selected staff members to be sent to the 36th General Hospital, which included Dr. Wyman C. C. Cold, Dr. James M. Winfield, Nurse and Professor Edna T. Plambeck, and Dr. Rudolf J. Noer. Dean Norris then elected Dr. Richard M. McKean as the Chief of Medicine in the new unit. The new staff were trained at Camp Carson in Colorado prior to deployment, followed by a brief training at Camp Shanks. The hospital staff was deployed on August 20, 1943 and they first sailed to Algeria, and then arrived in Italy in October of 1943. The hospital then followed the troops to France, where it operated until November 1943, after which it was deactivated. In sum, the hospital operated from 1943 to 1945 and treated over 45,000 patients.

This collection contains "A History of the 36th General Hospital," a manuscript written by Dr. Rudolf J. Noer. Additionally, this collection contains correspondence about the hospital, some military memorabilia including language and culture books, and correspondence and documents about the 36th General Hospital, Camp Carson, and the hospital’s time in Italy and France.

Collection Spotlight: George C. Edwards, Jr. Papers

Public Relations Team — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:05:46 -0400

In the Winter 2012 semester, the Reuther Library worked with students in the Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration program at the Wayne State School of Library and Information Science to produce a series of student-written, guest blog posts.

Timothy McRoberts is a student at Wayne State's School of Information and Library Science.

George C. Edwards, Jr., had a major influence on the post World War II city of Detroit. read more »

Gallery Announcement: Stills from the World at War - The Home Front (1939-1945)

eclemens — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:17:17 -0500

In honor of Veteran's Day, the Walter P. Reuther Library is pleased to share a new image gallery: Stills from the World at War: The Home Front (1939-1945). The new gallery serves as a celebration of the extraordinary service of individuals, both military personnel and civilian, during the Second World War, a commemoration of the sacrifices made, and a glimpse back to Detroit as it developed into the industrial heart of the war effort. read more »

Guest Post: SS Wayne Victory

astankrauff — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 13:51:05 -0500

My experience with the SS Wayne Victory Ship began as a piece of dumb luck. My boss had submitted his resignation to Wayne State University and I was tasked with cleaning out his office. read more »

HistoryPin Tour: Detroit's Chinese Community

eclemens — Fri, 26 May 2017 19:58:42 -0400

Many people are surprised to learn that Detroit once had two Chinatowns, both built by a resilient community that thrived in the city for nearly 100 years. As Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month draws to a close, we invite you to visit our latest HistoryPin tour: a look back on Detroit's Chinese Community. read more »

HistoryPin: Tour Detroit during the Second World War

eclemens — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 15:49:14 -0500

The Reuther Library is pleased to announce the launch of a new HistoryPin tour: Detroit and World War II

The interactive tour features images that highlight the role of everyday citizens in the war effort between the years 1940-1945. Topics featured include military draft and recruitment, mobilization, salvage drives, rationing, community events, and defense work. Of particular interest are photographs of industrial training, the daily life of prisoners of war held at Fort Wayne, U.S.O. recreation activities, and community involvement in the war effort. read more »

Subject Focus: Armistice Day and Veterans Day

teller — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:20:42 -0400

Although the First World War did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, combat between the Allied nations and Germany ended on November 11, 1918, when an armistice was called for the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. read more »

The 1943 Detroit Race Riot

jruss — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:07:36 -0400

On June 20, 1943, a fight broke out between African American and white Detroiters spending their Sunday on Belle Isle, the city’s large park in the middle of the Detroit River. Fighting spread to the mainland, and rumors crisscrossed the city, stoking racial tensions that had been running high and threatening to boil over into violence for months. Rioting spread, with little attempt from the police to stop it (in fact, much evidence points to many white police facilitating and even participating in violence against African Americans), and by the time President Franklin Roosevelt sent in federal troops on the evening of June 21, hundreds had been injured, and 34 people had died: 25 African American (17 of whom were shot by police), and 9 white. Of the arrests made later, 85% were African American. read more »

The Relocation of Japanese American Students to Wayne University during World War II

Public Relations Team — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 14:49:15 -0400

The following is a guest post by Devin Erlandson, recipient of the Ronald Raven Annual Award and the Summer 2014 intern for the Wayne State University Archives.

On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 which excluded all people of Japanese ancestry from living on the Pacific coast. Of the 127,000 Japanese Americans living on the West Coast, 112,000 were sent to internment camps. 2,000 Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans with American citizenship) were uprooted from colleges and universities—their academic future was suddenly very uncertain.

The National Japanese American Student Relocation Council, sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee, worked to relocate and resettle Nisei students at Midwestern and East Coast colleges and universities. One such institution was Wayne University. read more »

(28650) Riots, Housing, Sojourner Truth, 1942

eclemens — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 07:11:00 -0400

Dozens of African Americans meet outside of a home after families attempting to move into the Sojourner Truth Housing Project were met by over 1200 angry, white demonstrators.

World War II veterans registering for classes at Wayne University

cwesterman — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:19:09 -0500

World War II veterans registering for classes at Wayne University, 1946.

(1188) Flyer, Sojourner Truth Housing Project, 1942

eclemens — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 11:30:59 -0400

A flyer, created by local whites, asks for assistance from people outside their neighborhood at Nevada and Fenkell in keeping African Americans from moving into the Sojourner Truth Housing Project. Courtesy of the Charles A. Hill Collection

(1666) War Industry, Second World War, Eureka Gas Mask Factory, Detroit, 1941

eclemens — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:26:50 -0400

Female war workers assemble gas masks at the Eureka Gas Mask Factory on Fort Street in downtown Detroit, Michigan.

(1667) War Industry, Second World War, Eureka Gas Mask Factory, Detroit, 1941

eclemens — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:28:00 -0400

Female war workers assemble gas masks at the Eureka Gas Mask Factory on Fort Street in downtown Detroit, Michigan.

(1668) War Industry, Second World War, Eureka Gas Mask Factory, Detroit, 1941

eclemens — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:29:24 -0400

Female war workers assemble gas masks at the Eureka Gas Mask Factory on Fort Street in downtown Detroit, Michigan.

(1669) War Industry, Second World War, Eureka Gas Mask Factory, Detroit, 1941

eclemens — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:31:05 -0400

Female war workers assemble gas masks at the Eureka Gas Mask Factory on Fort Street in downtown Detroit, Michigan.

(1693) Military, Packard Marine Engine School, Detroit, Michigan, 1941

eclemens — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:05:37 -0400

Officers and servicemen listen to a lecture at the Packard Marine Engine School, Detroit, Michigan.

NOTE: Official U.S. Navy Photograph

(1693) Military; United States; Packard Marine Engine School, 1941

eclemens — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:14:55 -0400

Officers and servicemen listen to a lecture at the Packard Marine Engine School, Detroit, Michigan

(1694) Military, United States, Naval Air Station, Grosse Isle, Michigan, c.1943

eclemens — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:12:12 -0400

U.S. Marine F3F-2 fighter planes fly in formation in the airspace above Grosse Isle, Michigan.

NOTE: Official U.S. Navy Photograph

(1695) Military, United States, Naval Air Station, Grosse Isle, Michigan, c.1943

eclemens — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:10:45 -0400

North American SNJ-4 “Texan” trainer planes fly in formation in the airspace above Grosse Isle, Michigan. (1695)

NOTE: Official U.S. Navy Photograph. Is a duplicate of 9701 with slight modifications: clouds are burned out to make the sky clear.

(1696) Military, United States, Naval Air Station, Grosse Isle, Michigan, c.1943

eclemens — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:19:13 -0400

Students at the U.S. Naval Training Station line up before the flight board to receive their training assignments for the day, Grosse Isle, Michigan.

NOTE: Official U.S. Navy Photograph

(1697) Military, United States, Naval Air Station, Grosse Isle, Michigan, c.1943

eclemens — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:16:34 -0400

Students at the U.S. Naval Training Station march past airplanes on their way to their training assignments for the day, Grosse Isle, Michigan.

NOTE: Official U.S. Navy Photograph

(1698) Military, United States, Naval Air Station, Grosse Isle, Michigan, c.1943

eclemens — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:14:51 -0400

Students at the U.S. Naval Training Station march past airplanes on their way to their training assignments for the day, Grosse Isle, Michigan.

NOTE: Official U.S. Navy Photograph

(1699) Military, United States, Naval Air Station, Grosse Isle, Michigan, c.1943

eclemens — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:23:10 -0400

Students at the U.S. Naval Training Station stand near their training planes, Grosse Isle, Michigan.

NOTE: Official U.S. Navy Photograph

(1700) Military, United States, Naval Air Station, Grosse Isle, Michigan, c.1943

eclemens — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:21:08 -0400

A Student at the U.S. Naval Training Station is guided in from a training flight by a signalman, Grosse Isle, Michigan.

NOTE: Official U.S. Navy Photograph

(1702) Military, Navy Bond Drive, Detroit, Michigan, 1942

eclemens — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:46:33 -0400

Three unidentified sailors stand on deck as a crowd looks on during a U.S. Navy Bond Drive at Campus Martius, Detroit, Michigan.

NOTE: Official U.S. Navy Photograph

(1705) Military, Navy Bond Drive, Detroit, Michigan, 1942

eclemens — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:44:47 -0400

Two sailors stand at attention in front of a ship moored in Campus Martius during a U.S. Navy Bond Drive, Downtown Detroit, Michigan.

NOTE: Official U.S. Navy Photograph