Guide to the Sterling R. Merryman papers
1943-1944
Collection number: HMC-0688.
Creator: Merryman, Sterling R. (1909-1990)
Title: Sterling R. Merryman papers
Dates: 1943-1944.
Volume of collection: 0.01 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials in English.
Collection summary: Photos and unit publications from Sterling R. Merryman’s service in the Aleutians.
Biographical note:
Sterling R. Merryman was from Utica, New York. During World War II, he joined the Seabees and was the Chief Shipfitter of Platoon 4, 2nd Detachment, 85th Naval Construction Battalion. He served at Dutch Harbor, Shemya, and Attu.
Collection description:
The collection consists of photographs and unit publications from Sterling R. Merryman’s service in the Aleutian Islands. The photographs consist of 36 black and white prints, 35 of which are from a small album of images taken on the islands of Attu and Shemya. Subjects of the photographs include: ship travel between Shemya and Attu; a tent camp and pump station on Holtz Bay; a Japanese fox hole at Holtz Bay; soldiers recreating near Holtz Bay; Attu Island scenery including Holtz Bay, Massacre Bay, Chicagof Pass, Casco Bay, Geyres Point, and Red Beach. The unit publications consist of two issues of the battalion newspaper, the 85th Sea Breeze, dated January 15 and February 15, 1944; two copies of an Aleutian Islands souvenir roster of the 36 members of the 85th Naval Construction Battalion, Company B, Platoon 4, one with a mounted group photograph of the platoon; two copies of an Aleutians souvenir roster of members of the 85th NCB, 2nd Detachment, Platoon 4 (same personnel as the previous roster, both dated 1943-1944); a program for the Aleutian Anniversary Celebration of the 85th NCB, Second Detachment, dated May 30, 1944; a Thanksgiving Day menu for the United States Submarine Base, Navy 151, Dutch Harbor, dated November 25, 1943; and a clipping of a newspaper article entitled, “Credit Seabees for Licking Toughest Military Construction Job in History,” from the Oakland Tribune, December 27, 1944.
Arrangement:The photographs are followed by the publications.
Rights note: Copyright to these materials is not held by the Archives.
Preferred citation: Sterling R. Merryman papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Acquisition note: This collection was purchased at internet auction by the Archives in 2004.
Processing information: This collection was described by Jeffery Sinnott in 2004.