Elvyn V. Davidson Scrapbook
This collection consists of Xerox copies of the scrapbook that Dr. Elvyn V. Davidson kept between approximately 1943 and 1946. It is made up primarily of photographs and ephemera. Most of the photographs depict scantily clad Eastern (probably Japanese) women, but some show American soldiers. The ephemera includes various forms of money (including Russian rubles, Algerian francs, pesos, lire, and Austrian kronen), cartoons, poetry, a liberty pass, a safe passage pass (written in both German and English), and newsletters (including the Kobe Globe, published in occupied Japan). The scrapbook also includes official documents, including the award of combat infantry badges (1944) and a petition against the unfair treatment of Japanese Americans (July 16, 1945).
Interested researchers may also consult an interview with Dr. Davidson conducted by the Center for the Study of War and Society available at:
https://digital.lib.utk.edu/collections/islandora/object/wwiioh%3A2177
Dates
- circa 1943-circa 1946
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.3 Linear Feet
Abstract
This collection consists of Xerox copies of the scrapbook that Elvyn V. Davidson kept between approximately 1943 and 1946. It is made up primarily of photographs of Eastern (probably Japanese) women and some American soldiers and ephemera, including foreign currency, cartoons, poetry and newsletters.
Biographical/Historical Note
Elvyn V. Davidson was born on September 6, 1923 in Long Island, New York, to John Adams Hampton Davidson Sr. and Hattie Olizabeth Hargraves Davidson. He was raised primarily by his brother and sister after his parents' death in 1934. Davidson joined the Army in September of 1942. After scoring well on the Army Special Training Program (ASTP) Test, Davidson was sent to the University of Nebraska for additional schooling and then assigned to Company F of the 370th Infantry as a non-commissioned officer. The unit deployed to North Africa in 1943 and was moved to Italy in July of 1944. Here, the 370th fought alongside several unusual units, including the 99th (the Tuskegee Airmen) and the 442nd (a Japanese-American unit). The 370th was transferred to the Pacific Theater in May of 1945, where they served as a supply unit until V-J day. They then formed part of the force that occupied Japan. Davidson was officially discharged in January of 1946. He used the G. I. bill to return to school, and completed his M. D. at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. It was during this time that he met his wife, Esther Johnson Davidson. They moved to Knoxville in 1958, and Davidson died on July 6th, 2010.
Arrangement
Collection consists of three folders.
Acquisition Note
Dr. Elvyn V. Davidson donated this collection to the University of Tennessee Libraries, Knoxville, Special Collections in April of 2000.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository