Archie Lee McMaster [RG1394.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID



RG1394.AM:  Archie Lee McMaster



Reminiscence:  Undated

Taylor, Loup County and Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska:  World War II soldier; Soil Conservationist

Size:  0.2 cu.ft.; 1 box



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE



Archie L. McMaster attended the University of Nebraska and was a Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) Member. He entered active duty on October 4, 1940 and immediately consented to a two-year assignment in the Philippines. Arriving in the Philippines in February of 1941, McMaster was assigned to the 45th Infantry, Philippine Scouts. His task was to establish protection for the ammunition on Bataan.



The quiet life that McMaster enjoyed before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor disappeared completely with the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. McMaster was a prisoner of the Japanese forces from 1942 until liberation in February of 1945. He retired from the army on February 2, 1947.



SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE



This collection consists of a reminiscence by Archie L. McMaster entitled, “Lo Joe.” It describes McMaster’s experiences as a soldier in the Philippines at the outbreak of World War II and his fate as a prisoner of the Japanese for most of the war. Of particular interest is McMaster’s account of the treatment faced by American soldier prisoners of war from their Japanese captors, including forced marches, inadequate food and medical care, harsh work assignments, and punishments imposed by the Japanese.



Accession Number:  1990.762



INVENTORY



Box 1

Folder




    1. “Lo Joe,” reminiscence by Archie L. McMaster, pt. 1

    1. “Lo Joe,” reminiscence by Archie L. McMaster, pt. 2

    1. “Lo Joe,” reminiscence by Archie L. McMaster, illustrations (see photo collection for originals)



 



Subject headings:



McMaster, Archie Lee

Prisoners of war

Soldiers

World War, 1939-1945 — Personal narratives

World War, 1939-1945 — Philippines

World War, 1939-1945 — Prisoners and prisons



 



AIP/ksa                       12-1990

Revised TMM        01-26-2007

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