Guide to the Eldon B. Bonnet papers
1942-1989
Collection number: HMC-1208.
Creator: Bonnet, Eldon B.
Title: Eldon B. Bonnet papers.
Dates: 1942-1989.
Volume of collection: 0.2 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials are in English.
Collection summary Papers and photographs of a member of the 400th Base Headquaters and Air Base Squadron, who served in the Aleutian Islands during World War II.
Biographical note:
Eldon B. Bonnet was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1922. In 1942, he enlisted in the the U.S. Army Air Corps. At McDill Field in Florida, Bonnet was trained in the operation of the Link Trainer, a type of flight simulator used to train pilots. Sergeant Bonnet served with the 400th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron on Shemya Island as a Link Trainer instructor. Bonnet later organized the Shemya WWII Veterans Association and worked as a hypnotist and therapist. He died in New Orleans in 1991.
Collection description:
The collection consists of copies of papers and photographs of Eldon B. Bonnet. The papers include photocopies of correspondence between Bonnet and other veterans, handwritten and typed narratives of Bonnet’s experiences in the Aleutians, Bonnet’s writings on hypnotism, and some newspaper clippings. The photographs are copies of original photographs housed in an album, some of which have been blown up to a larger size. The photographs depict aircraft, buildings, and scenery on Shemya; individual and group shots of Bonnet and other military personnel; Bonnet operating the Link Trainer; and church services. Also included are copies of photographic postcards from various locations in Alaska.
Arrangement: The collection is arranged by type of material.
Alternative formats: Included in the collection is a xerographic copy of the album that housed the original photographs, which includes extensive descriptions of the photographs.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Use restrictions: There may be restrictions on photography and copying of certain materials in this collection. Please consult an archivist for more information.
Rights note: Archives and Special Collections does not own copyright to materials in the collection.
Preferred citation: Eldon B. Bonnet papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Related materials: Henry K. “Hank” Frese papers. HMC-0862.
Custodial history: The originals of Eldon Bonnet’s papers were loaned to Hank Frese for copying. Frese’s copies were donated to the Archives as part of the Henry K. “Hank” Frese papers.
Acquisition note: The papers were originally part of the Henry K. “Hank” Frese papers, presented to the archives on behalf of the Henry K. Frese Sr. family with the assistance of fellow Shemya veteran Dan Lange, in 2006.
Processing information: The photographs were removed from the Henry K. “Hank” Frese papers and described by Gwen Sieja in 2015. At that time certain published materials were removed from the collection.
Location of originals: The location of Bonnet’s original papers and photographs is unknown.