Donald B. Heffron Papers
This collection consists of a photocopy of Donald B. Heffron's handwritten, personal account of his World War II experiences as a Marine Raider. The manuscript begins with his last few years in high school and ends circa 1946.
The author also describes his training at Camp Elliott in California, his first experiences in combat, and the culture of the South Pacific during the war. The book includes a prologue by the author and a list of people the manuscript rotated to for review.
Also available is a press clipping from The Knoxville News-Sentinel, part of an advertising supplement in the September 6, 1998, issue on Townsend, TN.
Dates
- 1996 June 26, 1998 September 6
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
0.1 Linear Feet
Abstract
This collection consists of a photocopy of Donald B. Heffron's handwritten, personal account of his World War II experiences as a Marine Raider. The manuscript begins with his last few years in high school and ends circa 1946. Also available is a press clipping from The Knoxville News-Sentinel, part of an advertising supplement in the September 6, 1998, issue on Townsend, TN.
Biographical/Historical Note
Donald Bruce Heffron was born on March 30, 1925, in Chicago. He was the oldest son of Donald and Mary Brown Heffron. He graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1943 and decided to enroll in the United States Marine Corps because of Pearl Harbor. Trained as a Marine Raider, Heffron served 26 months in the South Pacific. He was wounded on both Guam and Okinawa and received two Purple Hearts. After an honorable discharge in 1946, Heffron enrolled in college and graduated in 1950 with a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. He moved several times throughout his career and was posted twice in South America, settled for a period in Florida, and retired permanently in Tennessee.
He married his wife Delores circa 1947 and the couple had six children: Donald, Daniel, Douglas, Derek, Deanna, and Donadee. Heffron died on February 4, 2012.
Arrangement
This collection consists of one folder.
Previous Citation
This collection was originally listed as a part of MS.2112. It was then listed as CSWS.WWII.3.0008 until receiving its current number.
Acquisition Note
This collection was donated by Donald B. Heffron.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository