Guide to the John F. Lhotka, Jr. papers
1942-1946
Collection number: HMC-0928.
Creator: Lhotka, John F., Jr.
Title: John F. Lhotka, Jr. papers.
Dates: 1942-1946.
Volume of collection: 0.2 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Materials in this collection are in English.
Collection summary: Papers and photographs of a Chemical Warfare Service officer who served at Fort Richardson and Adak Army Air Field.
Biographical note:
John F. Lhotka was born in Butte, Montana, in 1921. After working as a chemist, he joined the U.S. Army Chemical Warfare Service as an officer on June 17, 1942. He trained at the Chemical Warfare School, Chemical Warfare Center at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland (Second Special Chemical Course in Aviation, July 5-15, 1942), and at Camp Rucker, Alabama with the 84th Chemical Battalion. Lhotka then served in Alaska in the 11th Air Force, 39th Air Defense Group, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron at Fort Richardson and Adak Army Air Field. He also took part in the Northern Kuril Air Offensive, and received American Campaign and World War II Victory medals. Lhotka was discharged from the army with the rank of first lieutenant at Fort Douglas, Utah, on January 10, 1946. John F. Lhotka, Jr. died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1993.
Collection description:
The collection consists of the papers and photographs of Chemical Warfare Service officer John F. Lhotka, Jr. The collection contains: a restricted memorandum to students concerning secrecy from the Chemical Warfare School; two copies of a Chemical Warfare School certificate with a group photograph of graduates of the Second Special Chemical Course (Aviation) conducted July 5-15, 1942, listing the course director, instructors, and students; Lhotka’s certificate of attendance to the above course; an envelope for a letter Lhotka sent to his parents, Dr. and Mrs. John F. Lhotka, in Butte, Montana, from Adak; Lhotka’s U.S. Army military record, report of separation and certificate of service, issued at the Separation Center, Fort Douglas, Utah; photographs; photo post cards; and negatives. Subjects of the photographs and negatives include: John Lhotka and fellow soldiers at Fort Richardson, Mount McKinley (Denali) National Park and Adak Army Air Field; the Curry Hotel; buildings on Fort Richardson; 11th Air Force facilities at Adak Army Airfield (headquarters, chapel, mess, etc.); a group photo of graduates of the Second Special Aviation Course at the Chemical Warfare School; aerial photos of Adak Army Airfield (U.S. Army Air Force Photos); portraits of Lhotka; and a panoramic group portrait of members of Company B of the 84th Chemical Battalion at Camp Rucker, Alabama. Subjects of the photo post cards include: the Post Exchange at Adak; 4th Avenue in Anchorage with Hewitt’s Drug Store at right (Hewitt’s Photo, No. 47); and Alaskan strawberries (Hewitt’s Photo, No. 117).
Arrangement: The collection is arranged in no discernible order.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Archives does not have copyright to materials in this collection.
Preferred citation: John F. Lhotka, Jr. papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Acquisition note: The collection was purchased via Internet auction in 2006.
Processing information: This collection was described by Jeffrey Sinnott in 2007. The guide to the collection was converted to current standard by Veronica Denison in 2016.