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Preferred Citation
Biographical Note
Scope and Content of Collection
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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