Inventory of the Wilbur J. Peterkin papers
Finding aid prepared by Hoover Institution Library and Archives Staff
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2008, 2016
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
Title: Wilbur J. Peterkin papers
Date (inclusive): 1943-1994
Collection Number: 76018
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
11 manuscript boxes, 2 envelopes, 1 album box, 3 motion picture film reels, 1 microfilm reel, 2 videotape cassettes, memorabilia,
media
(4.5 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Diary transcripts, letters, reports, maps, photographs, motion picture film, and memorabilia, relating to Chinese communist
forces and the Japanese occupation of China during World War II. Includes weapons, clothing and equipment used by Chinese
communists during World War II.
Creator:
Peterkin, Wilbur J., 1904-
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
Boxes 3-4 and OCM4 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of 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
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1976.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Wilbur J. Peterkin papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Biographical Note
Wilbur Peterkin was a Colonel in the United States Army. He served as the Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the
United States Army Observer Group, more commonly referred to as the Dixie Mission, with Chinese communist forces in Yenan,
China, 1944-1945.
Scope and Content of Collection
Diary transcripts, letters, reports, maps, photographs, motion picture film, and memorabilia, relating to Chinese communist
forces and the Japanese occupation of China during World War II. Includes weapons, clothing and equipment used by Chinese
communists during World War II.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Video tapes
Motion pictures
Communism -- China
Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1945
World War, 1939-1945 -- China
Guerrillas -- China
United States. Army
United States. Observer Mission to Yenan, 1944-1945
box 1, folder 1
Clippings on service club speeches on China
1946
box 1, folder 2
Chinese language newspaper clippings
1945
box 1, folder 3
Invitations to dinner
1943-1945
box 1, folder 4
Miscellaneous
1944-1945
Scope and Contents note
includes two Chinese plays, radio interview, Chinese passport, War Transportation board (Chinese) letter, Christmas letter
from Yenan Liaison Bureau, two radios re: 63 AACS, and five official orders.
box 1, folder 5
English language newspapers from China
1943-1945
box 1, folder 7
Chinese Tunnel Stories
1946
box 1, folder 8
Notebooks
1944
Scope and Contents note
Notebooks contain diary entries and interrogations of prisoners.
box 1, folder 9
Notes on Infantry Training, The Infantry Training Center
1944
box 1, folder 10
"Dixie Mission Memoirs," Wilbur J. Peterkin
undated
box 1, folder 11
"The Story Behind the Peace Rose: The Flower of Friendship Between the People of the United States and China," Chang Hsüeh-ling
undated
box 1, folder 12
Correspondence, diary entires, and newspaper clippings
1943-1946, 1976
box 1, folder 13
Raymond Paul Ludden correspondence
1945-1978
box 2, folder 1
General correspondence
1945 February-July
box 2, folder 2
Yenan! Colonel Wilbur Peterkin and the American Military Mission to the Chinese Communists, 1944-1945
1987
box 2, folder 3
Writings
1977-1979
Scope and Contents note
Includes writings by Wilbur J. Peterkin and "Let the Flower of Friendship Blossom Even More Vibrantly" by Lin T'ang and Yi
Hua.
box OCM4
Chinese currency
undated
Access
Box OCM4 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
box 2, folder 5
"Notes for a talk to the Burien Kwanis Club"
1988 January 21
box 2, folder 7
"Log of Two Years in China, 1943-1945," draft
1978
box 2, folder 8
"Impending Dangers for US China Policy," Michael Lindsay
1977
Scope and Contents note
Increment, October 1987
box 2, folder 10
Jack Klein correspondence
1976-1981
box 2, folder 11
Neal Ulivich correspondence
1972
box 2, folder 12
Maps and outline of voyage
circa 1945
box 2, folder 13
Time: Pony Edition
1945 December 10
box 2, folder 14
"Inside China: An Eyewitness Account of America's Mission in Yenan," draft
1992
Correspondence
1943-1945
Scope and Contents note
Contains mainly letters from Peterkin to his wife, Dorothy Peterkin. Some correspondence to Anne Peterkin also included.
box 9, folder 7
Letters sent to Dorothy Peterkin from others
1945
box 9, folder 8
Postcard from Francis Schick to Anne Peterkin
undated
box 5, folder 14-16
Undated (likely 1943-1945)
box 10
China, Yenan, and Kweilin
1944-1945
Scope and Contents note
Includes photographic images of maps.
box 10
Miscellaneous
Scope and Contents note
Contains various 1" x 1.5" prints, prints cut from contact sheets, images of the 415th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army
circa 1953, and other undescribed photographs.
box 11
Photographs depicting W. J. Peterkin's activities as executive and commanding officer of the U.S. Observer Mission to the
Chinese Communists
1944-1945
Scope and Contents note
Formerly Envelope A. Includes photographs of Zhu De (Chu Teh), Zhou En-lai (Chou En-lai), Mao Zedong, Ye Jianying (Yeh Chien-ying)
and views of Yenan.
box 11
Photographs depicting the International Peace Hospital and Chinese communist forces
1937-1944
Scope and Contents note
Formerly Envelope C. Most photographs contain handwritten captions in Chinese on the back.
album fB
Album containing 245 prints of China, Nigeria, and India at the time of World War II
undated
box 11
Small photo album
1943-1945
box 11
China album
1944-1945, 1978
Scope and Contents note
Includes images of Mao Tse-tung, Teng Ying-chou, and of crossing the Yellow River in January 1945.
box 3
Miscellaneous
Access
Originals located in Boxes 3-4 restricted.
box StillNegPos Box 1
Miscellaneous (continued)
Access
Originals restricted.
box StillNegPos Box 3
13 rolled negatives
Access
Originals restricted.
China U.S.A.O.S.
1944-1945
Scope and Contents note
Film shot by Wilbur J. Peterkin while stationed in China during World War II. 16mm, color and black and white, silent. Roll
2. Detailed contents list below.
Access
Use copy reference number: 76018_f_0008113
onsite digital
Occasion of Legion Merit for Colonel Barrett
onsite digital
Chu Teh, Mao Tse Tung, Ludden, Barrett, and members of Mission
onsite digital
General Bergin- who presented Legion of Merit
onsite digital
Gunther Stein - Brooks Atkinson in door of plane
onsite digital
Yeh Chien Ying, Madam Chu Teh
onsite digital
Chinese New Year and band with gifts for mission
onsite digital
Trip to Yenchang oil fields; Peterkin, Lt. Col Dexheimer and Colonel Andrus and Mr. Yellachich
onsite digital
Oil wells pumped by man-power
onsite digital
Road cave in. 25 fords in about 69 miles.
onsite digital
Lt. Happe (knit cap) and Sgt. White going to Varoff Field
onsite digital
Chinese weather observers and radio operators to be flown behind Japanese lines. Tai Hang.
onsite digital
Orderlies planting vegetables after drough
onsite digital
Mr. Wu head of photography
onsite digital
Convoy Chunking-Yenan, 4 3/4 tons with 1 ton trailers and one jeep with trailer. Personnel Peterkin, Captain Pomeranze, MC,
Catain William Glei, Captain Eaton, Lt. Proccino, Lt. Hauck, Sergeant Sevia Thorne OSS, Sgt. Richards, Corporal Peel, Lt.
Happe
onsite digital
Lt. Hauck and Lt. Proccanino
onsite digital
Captain Pomeranze with dark glasses
onsite digital
Sgt. Thorne with dark glasses
onsite digital
Captain Glei no shirt eating apple
onsite digital
City of Paochi - camped on airfield
onsite digital
Peterkin and camel - Yenan
onsite digital
B25 Lt. Happe and Sgt. White return from Varoff Field
onsite digital
Signal flare caught on telephone wire across river
onsite digital
Civilian William Taylor captured on Wake Island escaped from Japanese in North China and rescued by guerrillas
onsite digital
Political meeting with KMT, KCT, and other political parties
onsite digital
Yeh Chien Ying, Chun Yi, Mao Tse Tung, Madam Chou En Lai, etc.
onsite digital
Peterkin and laborers at Yenan airfield
onsite digital
Lt. Klein with young art student from Yu Lin Art Academy
onsite digital
Victory parade in Chungking
onsite digital
Approach to Hause # 15, Peterkin's billet.
onsite digital
View from window of House #15
onsite digital
Dixie Compound, Roll 4
circa 1944-1945
Scope and Contents note
Film shot by Wilbur J. Peterkin while stationed in China during World War II. 16mm, color, silent. Roll 4.
Access
Use copy reference number: 76018_f_0008799.
onsite digital
Mission to Yenan, Roll 5
circa 1944-1945
Scope and Contents note
Film shot by Wilbur J. Peterkin while stationed in China during World War II. 16 mm, black and white, silent. Roll 5.
Access
Use copy reference number: 76018_f_0008114
tape cabinet
Videocassettes
Scope and Contents note
Two videocassettes. Material not yet described.
microfilm cabinet
U.S. Military Observers in Yenan, China collected reports microfilm reel
1944-1971 (bulk 1944-1946)
Scope and Contents
Includes four volumes of collected administrative and other reports concerning the Yenan Observer Group (Code Name: Dixie
Mission; File No. Geog V China 334--Dixie Mission). The Yenan Observer Group arrived in Yenan, China, on July 22, 1944. The
volumes were regraded unclassified by the Secretary of the Army in 1971.
Volume 1 index: Army Ground Forces Resources Technical Staff; Air Ground Aid Service Section, American--Communist Relations,
Colonel Dave Barrett's Reports, Miscellaneous Correspondence, Maps, Charts, Foreign Economics Administration, Ambassador Patrick
J. Hurley
Volume 2 index: Illustrations, Maps of areas, Interviews with Lt. George I. Nakamura, Nationalist--Communist Relations, Naval
Intelligence, Operations Conditions, Order of Battle Section, Office of Strategic Services (OSS), Office of War Information
(OWI), Personalities Involved, Propaganda
Volume 3 index: Preliminary Story, Tenth Weather Squadron Detachment, Twentieth Bomber Command, Wind-Up Of Mission, Colonel
Yeaton, Yensig Section (Proposed), china Theater Political History (by Fenton Keyes), G-5 Clandestine Branch History Excerpts
Volume 4 is not indexed.
drawer G09
Posters
undated
Scope and Contents note
Folder contains 3 posters. Posters originally located in box 1 moved to OS map folders.