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Frederick K. Sakraska papers

Guide to the Frederick K. Sakraska papers
undated, 1945

Collection number: HMC-1259.
Creator: Sakraska, Frederick K.
Title: Frederick K. Sakraska.
Date: undated, 1945.
Volume of collection: 0.3 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Materials in the collection are in English.
Collection summary: Primarily photographs of a soldier who served in Alaska during World War II.

Biographical note:
Private First Class Frederick K. Sakraska was born in Lansing, Michigan in 1912. He joined the Army in April, 1942 and served one tour of duty in Alaska. He married Mildred P. Freer in 1945 and worked as a mechanic at the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors for 25 years. Sakraska died in Eaton Rapids, Michigan in 1976.

Collection description:
The collection consists of photographs, papers, and patches documenting P.F.C. Frederick K. Sakraska’s military service in Alaska. The photographs include group shots of a military unit;  portraits of Frederick Sakraska; photographs depicting scenery, buldings on a military base, construction and snow removal equipment, and other members of Sakraska’s military unit; and a postcard of Anchorage. Some of the photographs are identified as being taken near Yakutat and the St. Elias Mountains. The collection also contains a Certificate of Commendable Service issued to Sakraska by the Alaskan Defense Command; a Christmas card; a pocket map of Alaska; and a note written by Frederick Sakraska’s wife identifying locations of some of the photographs. World War II military patches include patches representing the U.S. 4th Army, Alaska Defense Command, the U.S. Army 21st Corps, and the armored forces, as well as patches for 2 1/2 years in Alaska, the rank of Tech 5th Class, and Honorable Discharge.

Arrangement: The collection is arranged by document type, and photographs are arranged roughly by subject.

Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.

Rights note: Archives and Special Collections owns copyright to materials created by Frederick K. Sakraska. Materials not created by Sakraska may be subject to copyright not held by the Archives.

Preferred citation: Frederick K. Sakraska papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.

Works used in preparation of inventory:
Biographical information about Frederick K. Sakraska was provided by the donor.

Related materials: Other collections relating to World War II in Alaska can be found in our World War II in Alaska collections topic guide.

Custodial history: After the death of Frederick Sakraska the collection came into the possession of Sakraska’s nephew Kim Freer. During this time the materials in the collection were removed from an album that had deteriorated.

Acquisition note: The collection was donated to the Archives by Kim and Carol Freer in 2017. A deed of gift was signed by Kim Freer.

Processing information: This collection was described by Gwen Higgins in 2017.

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