Finding aid for the Ira M. Britton papers 6097
Natalie Camacho
USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Ira M. Britton papers
creator:
Britton, Ira M.
Identifier/Call Number: 6097
Physical Description:
0.42 Linear Feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1941-1945
Abstract: The Ira M. Britton papers consist of letters, photographs, certificates and notebooks created and collected by American serviceman
Ira Britton during World War II. Britton served in both the the Royal Canadian Air Force and the United States Navy. Together,
the photographs and letters describe the experience of Americans who served in the RCAF.
Biographical / Historical
Ira Martini Britton was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania in 1920. After receiving a letter from an American friend who had joined
the Royal Canadian Air Force, Britton decided to enlist as well. He left for Canada in the fall of 1941. By December, he had
washed out of the program and returned to the United States. He then enlisted in the United States Navy where he worked in
aircraft maintenance. On November 19, 1945, Britton was honorably discharged from the Navy with the rank of Aviation Machinist's
Mate First Class.
Biographical / Historical
When Canada joined the war on September 10, 1939, Americans who wished to fight before the United States entered the war got
their opportunity in the Royal Canadian Air Force. When joining the RCAF, recruits were required to pledge alleigance to the
British monarch. For American recruits, this pledge could mean forfeiture of their American citizenship. In order to work
around this issue, the Canadian government passed an Order in Council that allowed foreign recruits to instead agree to obey
RCAF rules and discipline during the course of the war. When the United States entered the war, many Americans returned home
to serve in the United States military.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of Ira M. Britton's World War II documents. The letters reveal information about the lives of Americans
who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and about Britton's experiences in the Navy in the United States.
The collection includes many photographs. Some are of various servicemen and highlight life in the military. There are some
group pictures of men in the RCAF and the Navy. Others are of friends and family members back home. Some appear to have been
sent to Britton while he was in the service and others include him as well. Other documents in the collection, including records
and notebooks, show details of life in the RCAF and Navy.
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder no. or item name], Ira M. Britton papers, Collection no. 6097, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Walkabout Books, December 18, 2014.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Soldiers -- California -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Soldiers -- Canada -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Canada -- Armed Forces -- Military life -- 20th century -- Archival resources
United States -- Armed Forces -- Military life -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Certificates
Letters
Notebooks
Photographs
Britton, Ira M.
Britton, Ira M. -- Archives
Box 1, Folder 2
Photographs - Military Life
Box 1, Folder 3
Photographs - Landscapes/Scenery
Box 1, Folder 6
Royal Canadian Air Force photograph
Scope and Contents
Includes the names of those pictured
Box 1, Folder 7
Royal Canadian Air Force notebooks
Scope and Contents
Britton's notebooks from his time in the RCAF; one labeled Air Craft Recognition; one labeled Navigation; Air Navigation Examination
Box 1, Folder 8
US Navy photographs
Scope and Contents
2 photographs; one includes names, hometowns, and stations of some of those pictured handwritten on the back
Box 1, Folder 9
Photographs from Chicago
Scope and Contents
Britt and Judy; photographs from Chicago's Latin Quarter and Joker Joe's Typhoon Club
Box 1, Folder 10
Photograph of boy in a baseball uniform
Scope and Contents
In a plastic picture frame
Box 1, Folder 11
Photograph of Judy
Scope and Contents
In color
Box 1, Folder 12
Request to Judy for photographs
Box 1, Folder 13
Personal Documents
Scope and Contents
Part of Britton's medical report; invoice from La Habra Hardware Company; newspaper coverage of Mary Nina Leta and Paul Andrew
King's wedding
Box 1, Folder 14
VR-10 Maintenance Instruction No. 10-45
1945-08-04
Scope and Contents
Naval Air Transport Command Air Transport Squadron Ten
Box 1, Folder 15
Japanese government-issued Philippine fiat pesos banknotes
1942-1945
Scope and Contents
Four 10 pesos notes; four 5 pesos notes; one 1 peso note; five 1 centavo notes
Biographical / Historical
During its occupation of the Philippines, the Japanese government issued fiat currency, which derives its value from government
regulation or law. The guerilla currency was outlawed so that those in possession of it could be arrested. Since the bills
were essentially worthless, they were often referred to as Mickey Mouse money.
Box 1, Folder 16
Announcements and cards
Scope and Contents
Holiday cards; congratulatory cards; baby announcements
Box 1, Folder 17
Correspondence (1)
1941-09-09-1942-07-04
Scope and Contents
Primarily from other men in the military; some from women
Box 1, Folder 18
Correspondence (2)
1942-07-31-1942-12-28
Scope and Contents
Primarily from other men in the military; some from women
Box 1, Folder 19
Certificate of Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy, Ira Martini Britton
1945-11-19
Scope and Contents
Britton was released from the Navy on November 19, 1945 with the rank of Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class
Box 1, Folder 20
Empty photograph envelopes
