Title:

John Kent Blanche papers and photographs, 1941-1958

Creator/Contributor:

Blanche, John Kent, 1903-1964, creator, creator.

Collection consists of correspondence, photographs, and other materials relating to John Kent Blanche's service in the 7th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Materials include 71 letters (1941-1944) from John Kent Blanche to his wife, Monica Lucille Brandt Blanche, and son in Pasadena and San Marino, California. Blanche's letters were mostly written from Hawaii (after his time in Attu and before his time in the Philippines). The letters contain information about family matters, personal finances, his son, household purchases and more. His first letter sent from Hawaii describes the Hawaiian landscape and the appearance and composition of the Hawaiian people. In other letters, Blanche describes his involvement in the Battle of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands; his experience with the "Oahu Pneumonia;" a visit to Hawaii by President Roosevelt, General MacArthur, and Admiral Leahy for a division review; and the Battle of Saipan. The collection also contains eleven letters to Blanche from his son and two other letters from friends to Blanche's wife. Also included are fifteen photographs that document Blanche's service in the South Pacific (possibly in the Marshall Islands). Images show encounters with men, women, and children in the South Pacific, American military personnel, and an American warship. In one photograph, American soldiers pose with local young women and, in another photograph, two soldiers balance children on their knees. In addition, the collection includes a pair of 7th Infantry Division insignia.

Date:

1941 (issued)

Subject:

n-us-ca

Soldiers -- Hawaii -- Correspondence

World War, 1939-1945 -- Hawaii

World War, 1939-1945 -- California

Guerre mondiale, 1939-1945 -- Hawaii

Guerre mondiale, 1939-1945 -- Californie

Soldiers

California

Hawaii

United States. -- Army. -- Infantry Division, 7th.

United States. -- Army. -- Infantry Division, 7th

Blanche, John Kent -- 1903-1964 -- Archives

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for use.

Purchase from William Reese Co.; 2021.

John Kent Blanche (1903-1964) was an attorney for the telephone company in Pasadena, California. He joined the army in June 1941 and served in the Pacific Theater with the 7th Division as a judge advocate, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Blanche was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in the liberation of the Philippines.

John Kent Blanche papers and photographs, BANC MSS 2022/216, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

In English.

Type:

photographs.

Archives

Personal correspondence

Photographs

Photographs.

Photographies.

print

0.4 (1

English

Origin:

California

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for use.