"Amazing Grace" by J. T. Witherspoon
This collection consists of one copy of "Amazing Grace" by J. T. Witherspoon written in 1980. This manuscript is 170 pages long and documents the history of Witherspoon’s ancestors and family through genealogical information, photographs, anecdotal stories, and more. Witherspoon’s life stories are included, particularly his time serving in World War II. He recounts the history of Company K 117th Infantry 30th Infantry Division. Witherspoon also recounts his time visiting the concentration camp at Buchenwald and includes a copy of a letter he wrote at the time (June 1945) detailing this visit.
Dates
- 1980-1983
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 (1 folder)
Overview
This collection consists of one copy of "Amazing Grace" by J. T. Witherspoon written in 1980. This manuscript is 170 pages long and documents the history of Witherspoon’s ancestors and family through genealogical information, photographs, anecdotal stories, and more. Witherspoon’s life stories are included, particularly his time serving in World War II. He recounts the history of Company K 117th Infantry 30th Infantry Division. Witherspoon also recounts his time visiting the concentration camp at Buchenwald and includes a copy of a letter he wrote at the time (June 1945) detailing this visit.
Biographical / Historical
J. T. “Southy” Witherspoon was born in Obion County, Tennessee, on July 5, 1914. He married Alfamae Forrester in 1933 and had two daughters, Sandra and Judy. He was a former first sergeant of the local national guard and joined the Army in 1940 as a second lieutenant. During World War II, Witherspoon fought in the European Theater and participated in the liberation of several concentration camps. He was discharged into the Army Reserve in 1945 and was called back into duty for the Korean War (1951-1954). He retired from military service in 1974. He was an active member and elder at the Rives Church of Christ and served on the board of directors for the Obion County Historical Society. Witherspoon died on January 15, 1983, and is buried in Obion County.
Arrangement
This collection is in one folder.
Previous Citation
This collection was previously listed as part of MS.1764.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated through the University of Tennessee's 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