Williams (Robert Parvin) papers, 1916-1951

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Robert Parvin Williams papers
Dates:
1916-1951
Creators:
Williams, Robert Parvin, 1891-
Abstract:
The papers of Robert Parvin Williams, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, include diaries, memoirs, correspondence, studies, memoranda, photographs, maps, charts, and printed matter relating to the U.S. Army Medical Service in the China-India-Burma Theater during World War II and during the Korean War.
Extent:
8 manuscript boxes (3.5 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Robert Parvin Williams papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of Robert Parvin Williams, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, include diaries, memoirs, correspondence, studies, memoranda, photographs, maps, charts, and printed matter relating to the U.S. Army Medical Service in the China-India-Burma Theater during World War II and during the Korean War.

The Biographical File, in addition to Williams' curriculum vitae and citations, offers an example of his skills as a writer and a speaker. But of more interest to the researchers might be his diaries, divided in sections in chronological order, recording announcements of citations, daily events and schedules, his itineraries, and descriptions of performance of his duties in the context of the prevalent military situation of 1941 to 1945.

The bulk of the materials in the collection relate to the services provided by the medical units of different army divisions within the framework of the United States Army operations in various parts of the world. All of these documents are included in the United States Army File. The materials are listed in chronological order under the names of the army units with a description of physical forms. Williams' work in the China-Burma-India theater along with General Joseph Stilwell deserves a particular mention.

The series of Photographs is a visual record of army operations involving machinery, weapons, and individuals. Some photographic prints are attached to the materials they illustrate, and they have been left in the United States Army File where noted. Loose prints, including oversize prints, are generally listed in chronological order with information about dates and the names of photographers whenever available. Loose prints found in the folders have been left in place, as they might be better understood if considered in the context of the materials in the folder.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1891 August 29
Born, Greencastle, Indiana
1912-1913
Intern, Ancon Hospital, Panama Canal Zone
1913
M.D., University of Cincinnati
1913-1915
Cincinnati General Hospital
1915
First Lieutenant, Medical Corps, U.S. Army
1915-1916
Student, Army Medical School
1916-1917
Adjutant, Camp Hospital, Mexican border, Douglas, Arizona
1917-1918
Assistant Divisional Surgeon
1918
Organizer and Commander, General Hospital No. 34, East Norfolk, Massachusetts
1927
Honor graduate, Medical Field Service School
1928-1930
Student, Command and General Staff School
1934-1935
Army War College
1935
Chemical Warfare School
1935-1939
Instructor, Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia
1939-1940
Director, training, Medical Field Service School, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
1940
Commanding officer, First Regiment, march from Pennsylvania to California
1942 February 5
Member, General Joseph Stilwell's military mission to China and Burma
1942 May
Surgeon, General Stilwell's column, retreat from Burma to India
1944-1945
Chief surgeon, General Dan I. Sultan, India-Burma theater
1945 July-1949
Army surgeon, Fourth Army
1949 September-November
Special assistant to surgeon general
1949
Promoted through grades to Brigadier General
1967 November 20
Died
Acquisition information:
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1968.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Aparna Mukherjee
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-09-27 15:16:48.342819

Access and use

Restrictions:

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.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Robert Parvin Williams papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563