HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG1395.AM: Burdette William “Stub” Priefert
Reminiscence: 1982-1990
Belvidere, Thayer County, Nebraska: Soldier
Size: One item
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Burdette William “Stub” Priefert, a native of Belvidere, Nebraska, entered military service in July, 1942. After training at Camp Roberts, California, where he was assigned to Company B, 176th Infantry Replacement Training Battalion, and Camp Butner, North Carolina, he was sent to New Guinea.
In New Guinea, Priefert was part of a medical experiment group to test atabrine as a substitute for guinine in the treatment of malaria. After the six-week experiment, he was sent as a replacement to the 41st Infantry Division and assigned to the 116th Engineer Headquarters. With this unit, Priefert was involved in the Hollandia and Biak invasions. While at Biak, Priefert contracted hepatitis and jaundice and was hospitalized for sixty days. When he returned to the 116th Engineers, he was put in charge of water supply.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
This collection consists of one volume of reminiscences from 1982-1990. These reminiscences relate to the war time experiences of Burdette William “Stub” Priefert while involved in a medical experiment to find a new treatment for malaria and his role as a member of the 116th Engineers during the invasions of Hollandia and Biak, New Guinea. Included are Priefert’s descriptions of the “mess” encountered during the Biak invasion, his experiences when sent into Hiroshima thirty days after the atomic bomb attack, and his evaluation of General Douglas MacArthur. Also included is a copy of Priefert’s medical record while involved in the medical experiment for malaria treatment.
Accession Number: 1990.761
INVENTORY
Reminiscences, 1982-1990
Subject headings:
MacArthur, Douglas, 1880-1964
Malaria
Medical experiments
Priefert, Burdette William
Soldiers
World War, 1939-1945 — Japan
World War, 1939-1945 — New Guinea
World War, 1939-1945 — Personal narratives
AIP/ksa 12-1990
Revised TMM 05-07-2007
