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Williams (Robert Parvin) papers
68017  
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Table of contents What's This?
  • Access
  • Use
  • Acquisition Information
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biographical Note
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Related Material

  • Title: Robert Parvin Williams papers
    Date (inclusive): 1916-1951
    Collection Number: 68017
    Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
    Language of Material: English
    Physical Description: 8 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize folder (3.5 Linear Feet)
    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.
    Creator: Williams, Robert Parvin, 1891-
    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

    Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1968.

    Preferred Citation

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

    Biographical Note

    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

    Scope and Content of Collection

    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.

    Related Material

    Joseph W. Stilwell papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
    Frank Dorn papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
    Raymond A. Wheeler papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Officers
    World War, 1939-1945 -- China
    World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Burma
    World War, 1939-1945 -- Medical care
    Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Medical care
    United States. Army
    United States. Army Medical Service