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Oscar R. Ashley Papers

 Collection
Identifier: CSWS-0001

  • Staff Only

This collection consists of Oscar Roy Ashley's personal World War II materials and includes a large amount of correspondence to and from his mother, Mrs. E. L. Ashley, as well as various friends and family. Also included are military papers pertaining to his quartermaster training and service in the 9th Air Force such as equipment lists, inventory, special orders, and receipts. A photocopy of Oscar R. Ashley's memoir of his time in the Air Force - meant to supplement the correspondence - is included among his personal papers. The collection also contains material after his discharge from the Air Force including certificates and veterans reserve papers. A book of World War II cartoons, a guide to the Auschwitz Museum, two scrapbooks, a photograph album, and commemorative materials such as dog tags and medals from his service are also available.

Series I. Correspondence, 1942 September 1-1946 April 24, undated -- This series contains correspondence between Oscar Roy Ashley and his Mother and other various friends and family members during his initial training throughout World War II. The Majority of the correspondence is between Oscar and his Mother detailing daily life as a quartermaster for the Air Force.

Series II. Personal Documents, Memior -- Oscar R. Ashley wrote this memoir to supplement any information that is missing from the correspondence. The memoir briefly discusses his life as the war broke out, how he was drafted into the Army, his quartermaster and officer training, and his tour in Europe as a quartermaster for the Air Force. The memoir includes a glossary of the names of friends and family at the beginning.

Series III. Military Documents, 1942 September 23 1946 July, undated -- This series contains documents related to Oscar Ashley's tour of duty in the military. It includes his selective service letter, certificates, inventory lists, receipts, special orders, and discharge papers. It also includes material regarding his discharge and the Veterans Reserve.

Series IV. World War II Memorbilia, 1939, circa 1940-1946, 1981 -- This series contains several items Oscar R. Ashley collected during World War II, including uniform decorations, Nazi medals, dog tags, a letter bag, a book of cartoons, and a guide to Auschwitz.

Series V. Scrapbooks and a Photo Album, circa 1942-1946 -- This series consists of two scrapbooks that contains memorabilia, postcards, newspaper clippings, and photographs from World War II, and one photograph album from the European Theatre that includes photographs of fellow officers, camps, and various sites in England.

Dates

  • 1939-1991
  • Majority of material found within 1939-1946

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

3.5 Linear Feet

Abstract

This collection consists of Oscar Roy Ashley's personal World War II materials and includes correspondence, press clippings, military papers pertaining to his quartermaster training, and documents regarding his work as a quartermaster. Also available are two scrapbooks, a photograph album, and other commemorative materials from his service.

Biographical/Historical Note

Oscar Roy Ashley taught English at the Baylor School for Boys in Chattanooga, TN when he was drafted for service in 1942 at the age of 35. He was sent to Camp Lee to complete his quartermaster training. After becoming an instructor for the quartermaster school, Ashley entered O.C.S. training in 1943, where he became a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corp. He was assigned to work as quartermaster for the Air Force and served in both the 8th and 9th Army Air Corps and was eventually promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. Oscar was stationed in Europe, and spent the majority of the war in England and Ireland, then later traveled throughout the European Theater. During his enlistment, he corresponded regularly with his mother and gave detailed descriptions of his training, daily life, and duties.

The U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps was responsible for purchasing and delivering various supplies to units in all theaters. Oscar Ashley was assigned to several Air Force Units in the European Theater in order to manage the supplies. He was eventually assigned to the 9th Air Force Unit. The 9th was originally stationed in Egypt and Libya but was transferred to England in October, 1943 and participated in Normandy invasion and the rest of the European continent until VE-Day.

Arrangement

This collection consists of 5 boxes and is arranged into five series:

Missing Title

  1. Series I. Correspondence, 1942 September 1-1946 April 24, undated
  2. Series II. Personal Papers, undated
  3. Series III. Military Documents, 1942 September 23 -1946 July, undated
  4. Series IV. World War II Memorbilia, 1939-1946, 1981
  5. Series V. Scrapbooks and a Photo Album, circa 1942-1946

Previous Citation

This collection was originally listed as a part of MS.1764 and MS.1881. It was then listed as CSWS.WWII.1.0001 before receiving its current label.

Acquisition Note

Special Collections acquired this collection via the Center for the Study of War and Society.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480