Samuel D. Smith Collection

Collection

Identifier: Mss.Coll.022

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This small but informative collection primarily contains materials that relate to the Pearl Harbor attack in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. Samuel D. Smith was aboard the USS Oklahoma when it was bombed by the Japanese, and was among the few survivors of the attack. Within this collection, there are many primary sources that document details of the day and the aftermath of the attack. The collection is arranged alphabetically by type of material into four series, then chronologically within each series, where applicable. The series are: Books; Correspondence; Literary Productions; Printed Material.

A unique series in this collection contains two books that document the Pearl Harbor attack both through photographs and text. Specifically, the book East, Wind, Rain: a pictorial history of the Pearl Harbor attack (by Stan Cohen) offers some never before seen or published photographs of the days surrounding December 7, 1941 (1:1).

The correspondence series offers the most detail about the attack on Pearl Harbor. During 1986, a screenwriter from Columbia Pictures Television sent Samuel D. Smith a list of questions for him to answer in hopes that a movie, documentary, and/or mini-series would be created about the USS Oklahoma and the bombings. Mr. Smith’s replies are in this series, and discuss in-depth the events of the day and its aftermath (2:1). Another series that provides excellent in-depth discussion about the attack can be found in the literary productions series, where Mr. Smith has written an article titled As the fresh pot went untouched—433 died/32 came back (3:1).

The printed material series contains a variety of items—some relating more closely to Pearl Harbor and Mr. Smith than others. For example, the newsletter entitled the Pearl Harbor-Gram contains current articles relating to Pearl Harbor, specifically reminiscences of survivors (4:3). Additionally, there is a newspaper clipping that offers a nice overview and outline of the Pearl Harbor attack in relation to Mr. Smith’s survival (4:4).

This is an excellent collection to view for anyone interested in learning more about the daily events relating to the Pearl Harbor attack from the point of view of a survivor.

Dates

Creation: 1924 - 1986

Creator

Smith, Samuel D. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Archives and Special Collections of Belk Library means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Archives and Special Collections of Belk Library claims only physical ownership of most materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research of otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical / Historical

Samuel D. Smith was born April 22, 1919 in Greenville, SC (1:2). He joined the U.S. Marine’s June 26, 1939 and left September 30, 1968 (1:2), and served as a fireman first class of “A” Division on the battleship USS Oklahoma during 1941 (3:1). He survived the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, and was re-assigned to the USS Louisville (3:1). He was a member of the U.S. Navy for 30 years and retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Machinist (3:1). Mr. Smith served as the 6th District Director of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association (4:3) He lived in Elon College, NC, and served as secretary-treasurer for the Pearl Harbor History Associates, Inc. (4:4).

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 archival box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by type of material into four series, then chronologically within each series, where applicable. The series are: Books; Correspondence; Literary Productions; Printed Material.

Physical Location

The collection is located in Belk Library Archives Satellite Shelving at Elon University. Please contact the Archivist and Special Collections Librarian for further details about the location.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Unknown

Accession Number

#2006.32.1

Related Materials

There are no related materials to this collection at this time.

Processing Information

Processed by Katie Nash, January, 2007

Note: The numbers following the name/subject entry indicate in which Series#:Folder# that name/topic can be found (ex. 1:1). If no Series#:Folder# is listed, then a number will indicate in which Series the name/topic can be found. Dates of the items are given in parentheses for an individual Series/Folder or, if at the end, for the entire subject/name entry (no date=n.d.). Numbered entries come before alphabetical listings.

Bolden, Don, 4:4

Carlton Building, 4:1 (1924)

Carlton family, 4:1 (1924)

Carlton library building, 4:1 (1924)

Cohen, Stan, 1:1 (1981)

Columbia Pictures Television, 2:1, 4:4 (1986)

East, Wind, Rain: a pictorial history of the Pearl Harbor attack, 1:1 (1981)

Elon College, 4:1, 4:5 (1924, 1942)

Elon College, NC, 1:1, 4:1, 4:4 (1924, 1981)

Ford Island Naval Air Station, 2:1, 3:1 (1986)

Greenville, SC, 1:2 (1985)

Hawaii, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:3, 4:4 (1981, 1986)

Hoosier, Ella, 2:1 (1986)

Hydrusko, Joseph, 2:1 (1986)

i Care revue de l’aviation francaise, 1:2 (1985)

Johnston, Bill, 1:1, 4:5 (1942, 1981)

Lent, Norman, 2:1 (1986)

Library at Elon College, 4:1 (1924)

Oahu Island, 4:3 (1981)

Pearl Harbor, 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 3:1, 4:3, 4:4 (1981, 1985, 1986)

Pearl Harbor-Gram, 4:3 (1981)

Pearl Harbor History Associates, Inc., 4:4

Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, 1:1, 4:3 (1981)

Simon, Mayo, 2:1, 4:4 (1986)

Smith, Samuel D., 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 3:1, 4:3, 4:4 (1981, 1985, 1986)

Smythe, Tom, 4:4 (1942)

Swanson, Charlie, 3:1

USS Maryland, 2:1, 3:1 (1986)

USS Oklahoma, 1:2, 2:1, 3:1, 4:4 (1985, 1986)

USS Solace (hospital ship), 2:1, 3:1 (1986)

U.S. Navy, 1:2 (1985)

World War II, 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 3:1, 4:3, 4:4 (1981, 1985, 1986)