Guide to the James R. Denison scrapbook
1942-1944
Collection number: HMC-0827.
Creator: Denison, James R.
Title: James R. Denison scrapbook.
Dates: 1942-1944.
Volume of collection: 0.2 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Materials in this collection are in English.
Collection summary: Scrapbook of a man who served on Kodiak Island during WWII.
Biographical note:
James Raymond Denison was from Vallejo, California. He served four years in the U.S. Navy before enlisting in the U.S. Naval Reserve in November 1942. Denison was a member of the Supply Department, 79th Naval Construction Battalion. His unit served in Kodiak, Alaska, from 1943 to 1944. James Denison died in Vallejo, California, in 1995.
Collection description:
The collection consists of the World War II scrapbook of U.S. Naval Reserve sailor James R. Denison. The scrapbook contains photographs and various records from Denison’s military enlistment and service. The service records in the scrapbook include: notices of classification and to appear for physical examination; recruit identification card; mess passes and tickets; a memorandum regarding longevity pay; an invitation to a Supply Department Christmas Party in Alaska in 1943; mastheads from battalion newsletters; a rifle range score sheet; various other permits, passes, and tickets; a supply requisition form; and a small cloth eagle patch. Subjects of the photographs include: James R. Denison and fellow sailors; battalion officers at Kodiak; buildings in the town of Kodiak; soldiers with a dog team and sled at Mt. McKinley National Park; group photographs of D Company chiefs and members; Barometer Mountain, Mount Eddy, Bell Flats, and other island scenery; and an anniversary party for sailors to mark one year on the island, with a tug of war competition and long chow line.
Arrangement: The collection is arranged in original order.
Alternative formats: The collection includes a xerographic copy of the album.
Digitized copies: Selected photographs have been digitized and are available on Alaska’s Digital Archives. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Archives does not hold copyright to materials in this collection.
Preferred citation: James R. Denison scrapbook, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Acquisition note: The collection was purchased by Internet auction in 2005.
Processing information: This collection was described by Jeffrey Sinnott in 2005. The guide to the collection was converted to current standard by Veronica Denison in 2015.