Guide to the Walter H. Himmelberger World War II Diary

Special Collections & Archives

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California State University, Northridge

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Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives

Title: Walter H. Himmelberger World War II Diary

Identifier/Call Number: SC.WHH

Physical Description: .02 linear feet

Date (inclusive): 1944-1945

Abstract: The Walter H. Himmelberger World War II Diary documents the experiences of a United States Army ambulance medic in Italy in the final two years of World War II.

Language of Material: English.

Biographical / Historical

Walter H. Himmelberger was born March 2, 1919 in Pennsylvania, and passed away January 1, 2009. During World War II he served in the United States Army in Company C of the 51st Medical Battalion. He listed a New York post office box as his address in 1944. He served in Africa before being stationed in Naples, Italy for much of 1944-1945.

Scope and Contents

The Walter H. Himmelberger World War II Diary consists of a single, handmade diary. Most diary entries document Himmelberger's time serving in Naples, Italy as an ambulance medic beginning in February 1944. He also describes a visit to Rome, and comments on troop movements documented in newspaper clippings. In addition to Himmelberger's handwritten accounts, the diary includes a photograph of Himmelberger, a hand-drawn map of Italy, a small number of newspaper clippings about troop movements in the European theatre, and an April 1945 flyer addressed to troops in the Mediterranean Theatre with the message that "Final victory is near." The last diary entries are from April 1945.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred Citation

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials guide.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased with funds generously donated by Gus and Erika Manders, 2018.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Ephemera

Photographs

Documents