Inventory of the Claude M. Owens papers
Finding aid prepared by Tess McCarthy
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2008, 2014
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
Title: Claude M. Owens papers
Date (bulk): 1945-1946
Collection Number: 79084
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
2 manuscript boxes
(0.8 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Legal briefs and decisions, transcripts of testimony, notes, and photographs relating to the trial of Japanese military personnel
for atrocities in the Philippines during World War II.
Creator:
Owens, Claude M.
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1979.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Claude M. Owens papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Biographical Note
Claude M. Owens earned his B.A. and law degree from Stanford University; in 1941 he was admitted to the State Bar of California.
After the outbreak of World War II, he joined the United States Army, serving as a second lieutenant. He then was assigned
to the prosecution division of the War Crimes Branch of the Legal Section of the Supreme Command for the Allied Powers, Manila
from 1945 to 1946. After serving in the military, Owens became a Superior Court Judge.
Scope and Content of Collection
The papers of Claude M. Owens consist of legal materials, notes, and photographs relating to the trial of Japanese military
personnel, chiefly Tomoyuki Yamashita, for atrocities committed in the Philippines during World War II. Included are legal
briefs prepared for prosecuting the cases and transcripts of testimony, captured diaries, sworn affidavits, and photographs
prepared as evidence for use in the trial of USA vs. Yamashita.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War, 1939-1945 -- Philippines
World War, 1939-1945 -- Japan
World War, 1939-1945 -- Atrocities
War crime trials -- Philippines
United States. Army
Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers
Legal Briefs
1945
Scope and Contents note
Typewritten briefs. Notations of an item number on each brief correspond to alpha and alpha-numeric index entries, found in
the index in folder one. Topics covered include military orders, articles of war, criminal liability for negligence, command
responsibilities, legal articles, acts pertaining to the Philippines, list of war offenses, and other documents compiled in
pre-trial research.
box 1, folder 1
Index
1945
Scope and Contents note
Index of all of Owens' briefs, with notations on the back.
box 1, folder 2-3
Legal briefs,
1945
Scope and Contents note
Typewritten briefs and notes on the matter of legal proceedings, prosecuting cases, and other matters in preparation for trial.
box 1, folder 4
Photographs
1942, 1945-1946
Scope and Contents note
Images of non-commissioned officers in the War Crimes Branch (May 1946); second lieutenant Claude M. Owens (April 1946) and,
a photo marked "Exhibit 892" (circa 1945). A large picture of the surrender meeting between General Wainwright and General
Homma is also included (May 1942).
Legal Materials
1942-1946
Scope and Contents note
Bound documents about the Philippine atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II, specifically
during the 1944-1945 Philippine and Pacific campaigns. The United States Army War Crimes Branch, Prosecution Division assembled
these exhibits of evidence that were later compiled for use in the trial of USA vs Yamashita.
box 2, folder 1
Exhibit number 382 to exhibit number FF
1942 May - 1945 November
Scope and Contents note
Bound volume containing legal materials of various types that are primarily stamped or classified as exhibits of evidence
in the case of USA vs Yamashita. Includes copies of personal diaries of U.S. and Japanese Imperial Army personnel; text from
a United States Army report entitled "Japanese Defenses of Cities as Exemplified by the Battle for Manila" from the Headquarters
of the 6th [U.S.] Army, which includes illustrations of pillboxes and other enemy construction; photographs of atrocities;
a hierarchical chart of the Japanese Imperial Army; a large fold out map written in Japanese and keyed to translation by ATIS
(Allied Translator and Interpreter Sections of the Southwest Pacific Area); copies of newspaper clippings of
The Tribune (Manila, Philippines) from November 4, 1944 to January 31, 1945; texts of broadcasts that were intercepted, as well as testimony
from informants; a notice to surrender dated May 19, 1942; and statements sworn in November 1945 from retired Japanese military
generals on the character of General Tomoyuki Yamashita.
box 2, folder 2
Exhibit number A-2 to exhibit number 381,
1945 February - 1946 August
Scope and Contents note
Bound volume containing various types of documentary evidence, primarily stamped or classified as exhibits of evidence in
the case of USA vs Yamashita.
box 2, folder 3
Exhibit number 110 to exhibit number 244
1945 July-August
Scope and Contents note
Bound volume beginning with prosecution exhibit number 110 (the sworn testimony of Carmencita Veloso Ballesteros) and concluding
with prosecution exhibit number 244 (a copy of a picture of five men pointing to a site, undated).
box 2, folder 4
"Report of Investigation of Atrocities Committed by Japanese Imperial Forces in Intramuros (Walled City) Manila, P.I. During
February 1945,"
1945 February-April
Scope and Contents note
One bound volume investigated and compiled by Colonel James T. Walsh of the Adjutant General's Department Headquarters, XIV
Corps. Compilation of exhibits of evidence composed of testimony of civilians, written statements from the priests and nuns
of St. Augustine (a church), affidavits from U.S. soldiers, and pictures surrounding the places where the Japanese Imperial
Army was accused of committing massacres: St. Augustine, Fort Santiago (a seized military fort), Plaza McKinley, and the Santa
Rosa Ruins. Also included is documentation of the treatment of women and the Spanish who were still living in Manila at the
time.
box 2, folder 5
In re Yamashita, 327 U.S. 1
1946
Scope and Contents note
United States Supreme Court materials in regards to General Tomoyuki Yamashita: petitions introduced in February 1946 with
court decisions, including dissenting opinions, and a memorandum dated March 1946.
box 2, folder 6
Personal Files
1940-1946
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence, legal documents, and a clipping from a magazine.
