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