Guide to the William J. Parker China Marine Association Collection
Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: William J. Parker China Marine Association Collection
Creator:
Parker, William J.
Identifier/Call Number: OCH.WPCM
Physical Description:
10.88 linear feet
Physical Description:
1.40 gigabytes
Date (inclusive): 1929-2021
Abstract: William J. Parker is a retired United
States Marine who was formerly stationed in China. He is an active member of the China
Marine Association, and in 2008 began serving as Editor of their newsletter,
Scuttlebutt. The collection consists mainly of items related to the
publication of
Scuttlebutt in the late 2000s, including
correspondence, member submissions of photographs and articles, and drafts of issues. Also
included are some photographs and print materials related to the China Marine Association in
general, as well as artifacts from the organization's reunions.
Language of Material:
English, Chinese
Biographical Information:
William J. (Bill) Parker is a retired United States Marine who served in China prior to the
1950s. He is also an active member of the China Marine Association, having served as
President, Treasurer, Executive Board Member, Chair of the Reunion Committee, and a chair
and member of many other committees in the organization. In 2008 he became Editor of the
association's newsletter,
Scuttlebutt. The China Marine
Association hosted annual reunions through 2014 and continues to publish
Scuttlebutt on a quarterly basis under Parker's direction.
Scope and Contents
The
William J. Parker China Marine Association Collection
consists of correspondence, photographs, articles, draft publications, and artifacts related
to the China Marine Association and its newsletter,
Scuttlebutt. The collection is divided into two series:
Scuttlebutt Files
(1929-2010) and
Reunions and Ephemera (circa 1940-2014).
Series I,
Scuttlebutt Files,
is
sorted into two subseries. Subseries A,
Publication Files
(1929-2010), consists of materials related to the publication of the China Marine
Association quarterly newsletter,
Scuttlebutt. This includes
correspondence, drafts of various issues, and submissions of photographs, remembrances, and
articles for publication. Subseries B,
Johnson Thomas Materials
(1936-2009), consists of materials related to Johnson Thomas, who was an auxiliary member of
the China Marine Association and the son of General Gerald Thomas who served in China. He
researched and wrote numerous articles for
Scuttlebutt and the
association in general, becoming a staff writer for the newsletter in 2009. Items in the
subseries include correspondence between Thomas and multiple China Marines, photographs of
the Thomas family and other China Marines, and articles written by Thomas. Each subseries is
arranged chronologically.
Series II,
Reunions and Ephemera, consists of both print
materials and artifacts related or donated to the association, many of which were used
during the association's annual reunion. Items include banners and flags, booklets,
programs, directories, photographs, a video, a handmade wooden plaque, and a handmade
tabletop display crafted from wooden, metal, and cloth objects, including a brass bell which
was rung at reunions to commemorate the passing of China Marines. Also included in the
series are a number of posters featuring personal mementos, maps, publication excerpts,
military memorials, and Chinese pin-ups encapsulated onto foam board by the China Marine
Association for display at their reunions. The maps are reproductions and depict areas of
military activity throughout China including Chin-Huang-Tao (Qinhuangdao), Tang-Shan-Chen
(Tangshan), and Peitaiho Beach (Beidaihe). The series dates from circa 1940-2014 and is
arranged chronologically.
Arrangement of Materials:
Series I:
Scuttlebutt Files, 1929-2021
Subseries A: Publication Files, 1929-2021
Subseries B: Johnson Thomas Materials, 1936-2009
Series II: Reunions and Ephemera, ca. 1940-2014
Related Materials:
Conditions Governing Access:
The 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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
William J. Parker, 2010
Accruals:
2011, 2015
Preferred Citation:
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style
manual, or see the
Citing Archival Materials
guide.
Processing Information:
Jessica Geiser, 2013
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Documents
Photographs
Textiles
Series I: Scuttlebutt Files,
1929-2021
Subseries A: Publication Files,
1929-2021
Box 1, Folder 2
General Correspondence,
2005-2006
Box 1, Folder 5
General Correspondence,
2008
Box 1, Folder 10
General Correspondence,
2009
Box 2, Folder 3
General Correspondence,
2010
Box 2, Folder 9
Miscellaneous Photographs
Box 2, Folder 10
Miscellaneous Printed Materials
Box 2, Folder 11
Photocopies of Other Marine Publications,
1929-2009
Box 2, Folder 16
Weiler, Howard Correspondence,
2021
Subseries B: Johnson Thomas Materials,
1936-2009
Box 3, Folder 1
Correspondence - From Thomas to William (Bill) Parker,
2003-2009
Box 3, Folder 2
Correspondence - From Thomas to Robert (Bob) Shovar,
2004-2007
Box 3, Folder 3
Correspondence between Art Goetz, William (Bill) Parker, Robert (Bob)
Shovar, William Sager and Johnson Thomas,
2007-2008
Box 3, Folder 4
Photographs - Peking, Tsingtao, and Chungking,
1936-1948
Box 3, Folder 5
Photograph - Former China Marines in Korea,
1951
Box 3, Folder 6
Photographs - Thomas's Trip to China,
2005
Box 3, Folder 7
Photographs - General Gerald Thomas and Family
Series II: Reunions and Ephemera,
ca. 1940-2014
Box 2, Folder 12
Fourth U.S. Marines Telephone Directory,
May 1940
Box 2, Folder 13
Reunion Booklets,
1997-1998
Box 2, Folder 14
Membership Directory,
2005
Box 2, Folder 15
Printed Materials,
2005-2009
Box 4, Item 1
United States 48 Star Flag,
ca. 1940-ca. 1949
Box 4, Item 2
Republic of China Flag,
ca. 1940-ca. 1949
Box 5, Item 1
China Marine Association Wooden Plaque
Box 7, Item 1
Reunion Banner with Member Signatures
Box 8, Item 1
China Marine Association Banner
Box 8, Item 2
China Marine Association Flag with Campaign Streamers
Box 9, Item 1
Reunion Tabletop Memorial,
ca. 1989-2014
Folder 1
Reunion Posters - Personal Mementos,
ca. 1946-ca.1949
Folder 2
Reunion Posters - Chinese Pin-Ups,
ca. 1947
Folder 4
Reunion Posters - Hawaii Draft Army War Savings Parade
Reproduction
Folder 5
Reunion Posters -
Scuttlebutt and Related
Excerpts
Folder 6
Reunion Posters - Military Memorials and China Marine Association Group
Photograph,
2005, 2011
Digital Folder
China Marine Reunion Nashville, Tennessee Video,
1989 June 7-9
