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ALLISON E. STOARS (1918-1988). World War II Photograph Album and Papers; 1937-1944, 1949-1963. .25 cu. ft.
Allison E. Stoars was from Salem, Oregon. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1939 and served in the Corps of Engineers during World War II. From 1940 to 1944, Stoars was stationed at Yakutat Landing Field in Alaska, where he was a member of the 807th Engineer Aviation Battalion. A contingent of the 28th Engineer Battalion, commanded by Captain Benjamin B. Talley, along with the 807th Engineers, built Yakutat Landing Field in 1940-1941. Stoars also served at Adak Island in the Aleutians, and, for a period, with the 1st Provisional Engineer Construction Group. He married Willa G. Daugherty of Molalla, Oregon, in 1943 or 1944. Allison E. Stoars died in Salem, Oregon, in 1988.
The collection consists of the World War II photograph album and related papers of Allison E. Stoars. The collection contains: a photograph album with 199 original black and white prints, 2 original color prints, and 11 black and white photo post cards; black and white photographic panoramas of the Mount St. Elias Range from Yakutat, and Unalaska Village; 52 black and white preservation copy negatives of selected images; Stoars' individual pay record book with attached immunization register from December 1944; war ration books for Willa B. Daugherty (Stoars' wife) and her parents George and Zoe Daugherty of Molalla, Oregon, from September 1943; and a copy of the Army and Navy Service Book For Public and Private Use (a Christian prayer book) by C. M. Jacobs and P. D. Strodach, published by The Castle Press in Philadelphia in 1941. Subjects of the original photographs in the album include: Allison Stoars and fellow U. S. Army Corps of Engineers soldiers of the 807th Engineer Aviation Battalion and the 28th Engineer Battalion, as well as soldiers of the 4th Infantry Regiment, at Yakutat Landing Field; the Yakutat and Southern Railroad, locomotives and cars; construction sites, buildings, docks, ships, trucks, tractors, draglines, other heavy equipment, and scenery at Yakutat Landing Field and Yakutat Village; a Christmas Eve party attended by local natives and soldiers at Yakutat; and Allison Stoars' family and relatives in Oregon and California (1937-1963). Ships pictured include the U.S. Army Transports Etolin, St. Mihiel and Cherikoff. Subjects of the Yakutat area photo post cards include: Yakutat Village, Nunatak Glacier; fishing boats anchored in the harbor, a fish trap; icebergs in Disenchantment Bay; a salmon cannery; the wrecked barge St. David; and the ice-covered schooner Scandia.
The collection was acquired by the archives in 2005.
HMC-0757
JAS (6/2005)
Photograph List:
Photographs in Album:
Page 1 (9 prints, 2.5 X 3.5 inch):
1a. "Speedboat – Ketchikan, Alaska" Small boat with cabin in harbor.
1b. "Part of Alaska Mt. range." View from ship (faded).
1c. "Silhouette – myself, taken aboard U.S.A.T. Etolin" (faded).
1d. "Mt. range along inland route – Alaska."
1e. "Same range – Alaska."
1f. "Capt. Karel, M.D., Mr. Grov – Civilian Eng., Yakutat, Alaska." Men examining construction site.
1g. "Yakutat Bay, Alaska" View from shore.
1h. "Yakutat Bay, Alaska" View from coastal road.
1i. "Capt. Talley & Capt. Loomis" Two officers standing on wooden walkway (partially faded.
Page 2 (9 prints, 2.5 X 3.5 inch):
2a. "U.S.A.T. Etolin leaving Yakutat, Oct. 26, 1940."
2b. "Aboard U.S.A.T. Etolin, Army Engineers" Men at rail of ship (faded).
2c. "U.S.A.T. Etolin Pier 40, Seattle, Wash., Oct. 16, 1940" View of side of ship from dock.
2d. "U.S.A.T. Etolin leaving dock – Yakutat, Oct. 26, 1940."
2e. "Yakutat, Alaska" View of town from across harbor.
2f. "Pfc. Clayton – Campbell H/S Co. 28th Engrs." Man in work clothes in front of railroad locomotive.
2g. "Pvt. Henderson –H/S Co., myself & Speeder" Men on railroad trolley car.
2h. "Pvt. Henderson & Pvt. Dingess – H/S Co." Two men in front of railroad trolley car.
2i. "White settlement, Yakutat, Alaska" View of houses from coastal road.
Page 3 (9 prints, 2.5 X 3.5 inch):
3a. "Truck" Men in and on 2nd Engr. Bn. Co. B truck.
3b. "Heavy equipment" Two tractors.
3c. "Kat." Man on tractor.
3d. "Bob & Sparks, civilian engineers" Men on Yakutat street (faded).
3e. "Carryall" trailer.
3f. "Post Headquarter, Yakutat, Alaska" View of building.
3g. "Truck, Buick & trailer."
3h. "Sgt. Haxton, Pvt. Harris H/S" Soldier holding up turkey carcass.
3i. "Derrick & Caterpillar" Tractor pulling derrick on trailer.
Page 4 (8 prints, 2.5 X 3.5 inch):
4a. "Pfc. Golden, Medics, Yakutat, Alaska" Soldier in front of station hospital.
4b. "Bay City shovel" crane.
4c. "Pfc. Harris, H/S Co., 28th Engrs."
4d. "Mess Hall, Yakutat Landing Field" Exterior view.
4e. "Bob & his locomotive" Man in small railroad locomotive.
4f. "U.S. Army Dock, Yakutat" Steam pile driver at end of dock.
4g. "U.S. Army Dock, Yakutat." View from side of dock.
4h. "Pfc. Espinosa, Co. B, 28th Engineers."
Page 5 (8 prints, 2.5 X 3.5 inch):
5a. "Mr. Roland (Bob) & Pfc. Campbell" Two men in front of railroad locomotive.
5b. "Pvt. Alvin J. Brooks, H/S Co., 28th Engineers. My 'Buddy'."
5c. "U.S.A.T. Etolin, Seattle, Wash., 'Old Glory'" Rear view of ship.
5d. "Staff Sgt. Deen, Q.M.C., taken at Seattle, Wash., Oct. 14th, 1940 – Ft. Lawton."
5e. "Sgt. Peters, Co. B, 28th Engineers."
5f. "Sea gulls" Gulls in flight.
5g. "Indian monument, Yakutat" Gravestone with cross.
5h. "Loading soldiers & equipment at Annette Island, Alaska" Tugboat Annette and barge at side of ship.
Page 6 (4 prints):
6a. "Howard Laskey, Roger Blackburn, Co. B, 38th Engineers" Portrait of soldiers saluting in dress uniforms (3.5 X 5.5 inch).
6b. "Pfc. Nolan, Co. B, 28th Engineers" Portrait of soldier wearing dress overcoat (3.5 X 5.5 inch).
6c. "Pvt. Trydle, Det. Q.M.C., Yakutat, Alaska" Portrait of soldier in dress uniform (3.5 X 4.5 inch)
6d. "Pfc. Frank Bailey, Co. B, 28th Engineers, Yakutat, Alaska" Soldier in cook's uniform (3.25 X 4.25 inch).
Page 7 (8 prints):
7a. "Truck – Motor Pool" (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
7b. "Osborn (first snow)." Man in boots with tractor in background (2.75 X 3.75 inch).
7c. "Pfc. Don Johnson" Soldier in dress uniform in front of log building under construction (3 X 4.5 inch).
7d. "Spencer and Burns" Men in broad-brimmed hats carrying firearms on railroad tracks (2.75 X 3.75 inch).
7e. "Burns – Spencer" Burns shooting pistol (2.75 X 3.75 inch).
7f. "Latrine Creek & latrine" (2.75 x 3.75 inch).
7g. "Kitchen & chow hounds" Distant view of soldiers entering mess hall (1.75 X 1.75 inch).
7h. "Kitchen – Sgt. Cain" Distant view of soldier at mess hall door (1.75 X 1.75 inch).
Page 8 (6 prints):
8a. "Pfc. Miller, H/S Co. B, 28th Engineers, Yakutat, Alaska" Portrait of soldier in dress uniform (2 X 3 inch).
8b. "Pvt. Kubus, Med. Dept., Yakutat, Alaska" Soldier in dress uniform (2.5 X 4.25 inch).
8c. "Sgt. Peters, Co. B, 28th Engineers, Yakutat, Alaska" Soldier in dress uniform (print faded and creased, 2.5 X 3.5 inch).
8d. "Pvt. Kubus" Portrait of soldier in dress uniform on bicycle (3.5 X 4.75 inch).
8e. " Pvt. Kubus" Soldier at front door of station hospital (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
8f. "Pvt. Kubus" Portrait of soldier in dress uniform (3.25 X 4.75 inch).
Page 9 (9 prints, 2.5 X 3.5 inch):
9a. "Myself & Burns" Soldiers standing on railroad tracks.
9b. "Spencer & Burns" Spencer shooting pistol.
9c. "Myself & Spencer" Two soldiers standing on railroad tracks.
9d. "Coast Guard boat (Daphine)" Distant view of boat in harbor.
9e. "Markers of Russian who were killed by Indians (1913)."
9f. "Breakers" Waves breaking on beach.
9g. "Spencer" Soldier reclining.
9h. "Myself & markers of Russians."
9i. "Log cabin" Cabin entrance.
Page 10 (11 prints):
10a. "Myself – Engineer Office, 807th" Stoars at desk (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
10b. "Espinosa, 807th Engineers, Co. (AVN), Yakutat, Alaska" Soldier at desk (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
10c. "Espinosa, 807th" Soldier at desk (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
10d. "Sgt. DeWitte, Sgt. Craig, Cpl. Allen, 807th Engineers" Soldiers in work clothes outside building (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
10e. "Pvt. Brewer, Pvt. Hodges, myself, Pvt. L. Taylor, Pvt. Nicely, 807th Engineers" Group photo in dress uniforms outside log building (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
10f. "Myself" Close-up of Stoars in office (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
10g. "Sgt. Haxton, Mess Sgt., 807th" Portrait in suit (1.5 X 2 inch).
10h. "Pvt. Earl Smith" Portrait (1.25 X 1.5 inch).
10i. "Q.M.C., V.B.W." Portrait (1.5 X 1.75 inch).
10j. "Pvt. D. Davis – 807th, Lt. Finigan – 4th Inf." Soldiers outside log building (1.5 X 2 inch).
10k. "Burns & Espinoza" Soldiers at construction site (1.75 X 1.75 inch).
Page 11 (11 prints):
11a. "Pvt. Blackburn, 807th Engineers" Soldier in dress uniform (2.5 X 3.25 inch).
11b. "Pvt. Jacobson, Pvt. Engle, 807th Engineers (Reverend)." Two soldiers in dress uniforms (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
11c. "Pvt. Teas, Pvt. Knapp, Pfc. Bess, Sgt. Wheeler, Pfc. Rosenback" Group photo of Quartermaster and Finance soldiers (3.5 X 5 inch).
11d. "4th Infantry Building – Service Club, 807th Engineers" Men constructing log building (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
11e. "Pvt. Blackburn, Pvt. Brewer, 807th Engineers" Soldiers in dress uniform outside log building (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
11f. "Pvt. L. Taylor, Pvt. Niclely" Soldiers outside log building (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
11g. "Latrine Creek" (1.75 X 1.75 inch).
11h. "Pfc. Chaltraw, 4th Inf." Soldier outside doorway (1.75 X 1.75 inch).
11i. "Sgt. Curtis" Soldier outside doorway (1.75 X 1.75 inch).
11j. "Barker & Brooks" Soldiers at construction site (1.75 X 1.75 inch).
11i. "Corbett, Nealey, Sinor" Soldiers sitting on doorsteps (1.75 X 1.75 inch).
Page 12 (9 prints, 2.5 X 3.5 inch):
12a. "Northwestern dragline" Crane and bucket.
12b. "Pfc. Lasley, D-4 Cat & sled of lumber."
12c. "Pvt. Teas Q.M.C. – Now (engineer)" Soldier standing on truck cab.
12d. "Northwestern dragline" Front view of crane and bucket.
12e. "Civilian, DeWitte, Sharp, Lasley" Men standing next to Caterpillar tractor.
12f. "Pvt. Trydle" Soldier aiming pistol while sitting in rowboat.
12g. "U.S.A.T. Mihiel" Distant view of steamship at dock.
12h. "Mrs Birch, Mrs. Baum" Women making snowmen.
12i. "Headquarters, Yakutat" View of building from beach below.
Page 13 (2 prints missing from album):
13a. "Yakutat, Alaska, 1941"
13b. "Mt. St. Elias, Yakutat, Alaska."
Page 14 (9 prints):
14a. "Pfc. Chaltraw, 4th Infantry, Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska, 1st Cl. K.P." Shirtless soldier leaning on mop (3.25 X 5 inch).
14b. "Cpl. Butcher" Soldier standing next to lagoon (1.75 X 1.75 inch).
14c. "Diamond 'T'" Truck (1.75 X 1.75 inch).
14d. "Christmas Eve, Yakutat, Alaska, Indians & soldiers" Large crowd of people attending holiday function in large decorated auditorium (3.25 X 5.5 inch).
14e. "Pvt. Alvin Brooks, 1st Cl. screwball" Soldier in boots, coat and hat (2.25 X 3.25 inch).
14f. "Coast Guard Building, beacon light" Men constructing tower (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
14g. "Pfc. Chaltraw" Soldier standing in lagoon (1.75 X 1.75 inch).
14h. "Motor pool" Distant view of motor pool area (1.75 X 1.75 inch).
14i. "Pfc. Campbell" Soldier standing in dress coat in snow (3 X 3.75 inch).
Page 15 (4 photo post cards, 3.5 X 5.5 inch):
15a. "Huskie" Dog carrying sack on its back.
15b. "Village of Yakutat, Alaska."
15c. "Nunatak Glacier near Yakutat Alaska."
15d. "Yakutat, Alaska" Salmon in fish trap.
Page 16 (5 photo post cards, 3.5 X 5.5 inch):
16a. "Fish boats anchored Yakutat Harbor, Alaska."
16b. "Iceberg, Disenchantment Bay, Alaska" Tugboat next to iceberg.
16c. "Salmon arrived from Situck, Yakutat, Alaska" Salmon being unloaded into cannery building.
16d. "Barge St. David wrecked near Yakutat, Alaska."
16e. "Iceberg covered Disenchantment Bay, Photo taken May 1917."
Page 17 (2 photo post cards, 3.5 X 5.5 inch; 8 prints, 1.75 X 1.75 inch):
17a. "Schr. Scandia at Yakutat, Alaska, Jan. 21, 1916" Men on schooner's deck with heavy icing (post card).
17b. "...Glacier, Yakutat Alaska" (post card).
17c. "Log cabin – beer hall."
17d. "My radio."
17e. "Pfc. Campbell."
17f. "Myself" Close-up of Stoars' face.
17g. "Cpl. Newtoal" Soldier outside mess hall.
17h. "Pvt. Burns" Soldier in doorway.
17i. "Studenberg & Gant" Men outside doorway.
17j. "Sgt. DeWitte up pole" Soldier at top of log pole with wind sock.
Page 18 (1 print, 5 X 7 inch):
18. "Mess Hall, Christmas 1940, Yakutat, Alaska." Interior view of mess hall with Christmas tree in the center.
Page 19 (5 prints):
19a. "Metz, Davis, Spencer" Soldiers on recreational outing (3.25 X 4.25 inch).
19b. "Spencer, Davis, Metz" Soldiers on recreational outing (3.25 X 4.25 inch).
19c. "Davis, Espinoza" Soldiers on recreational outing" (3.25 X 4.25 inch).
19d. "Alvin Brooks" Soldier in boots, coat and hat (2 X 3.25 inch).
19e. "?" Soldier cleaning large cooking pot (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
Page 20 (1 print, 5 X 7 inch):
20. Distant view of snow-capped mountains.
Page 21 (2 prints, 5 X 7 inch):
21a. Military buildings and lumber at landing field site.
21b. View from across bay of U.S. Army dock.
Page 22 (2 prints, 5 X 7 inch):
22a. Portrait of soldier in garrison cap.
22b. Same soldier as above next to totem pole.
Page 23 (1 print, 5 X 7 inch):
23. Portrait of two soldiers in garrison caps.
Page 24 (1 print, 5 X 7 inch):
24. Portrait of soldier in garrison cap.
Page 25 (1 print, 5 X 7 inch):
25. Glacier view.
Page 26 (1 print, 5 X 7 inch):
26. Glacier view.
Page 27 (1 print, 5 X 7 inch):
27. Glacier view.
Page 28 (1 print, 5 X 7 inch):
28. Soldier in dress uniform outside engineers building.
Page 29 (1 print, 5 X 7 inch):
29. Soldier with camera.
Page 30 (1 print, 8 X 10 inch):
30. Interior view of soldiers singing during church service inside Quonset hut.
Page 31 (1 print, 8 X 10 inch):
31. "Yakutat, Alaska, 1941 March" Distant view of landing field buildings and tent camp.
Page 32 (4 prints, 2.75 X 4.5 inch):
32a. "Al Stoars 1939" Stoars in dress uniform without hat.
32b. "Al Stoars 1939" Stoars in dress uniform with hat.
32c. "Al Stoars 1939" Stoars in dress uniform without coat.
32d. "Al Stoars 1939" Stoars in uniform standing sideways to camera.
Page 33 (1 print, 10 X 12 inch):
33. Portrait of Stoars in uniform wearing garrison cap and holding cigarette.
Page 34 (1 print, 8 X 10 inch):
34. "At Yakutat, '39-44" Interior view of altar inside chapel in Quonset hut during service.
Page 35 (1 print, 8 X 10 inch):
35. "Church in Yakutat, 1940-44" Interior view of soldiers inside chapel during service.
Page 36 (1 print, 3.5 X 6 inch):
36. "U.S.A.T. Cherikoff. From Adak June 28, 1944 to Seattle, July 6, 1944" Front portside view of ship at dock (3.5 X 6 inch).
Page 37 (10 prints):
"Army in Alaska, 1939-1944"
37a. Shirtless soldier leaning on truck bumper (1.75 X 2.75 inch).
37b. Stoars standing in front of tent in T-shirt (1.75 X 2.75 inch).
37c. Soldier in shorts (1.75 X 2.75 inch).
37d. Soldier in shorts near water tower (1.75 X 2.75 inch).
37e. Shirtless soldier in helmet in front of tents (1.75 X 2.75 inch).
37f. Stoars wearing towel in front of tent (2.25 X 2.75 inch).
37g. Stoars and fellow soldier standing on truck bumper (1.75 X 2.75 inch).
37h. Soldier standing in front of tent (1.75 X 2.75 inch).
37i. Shirtless soldier leaning on truck bumper (1.75 X 2.75 inch).
37j. Stoars inside door of truck (1.75 X 2.75 inch).
Page 38 (10 prints, 1.75 X 2.75 inch):
38a. Unidentified scenery.
38b. "Left, Spencer another of my pals. Next to me Lt. Shelley, my boss when I worked at the lst Prv. Engr. Const. Group. (a good guy)." Spencer, Stoars and Shelley at tent camp next to sign for Headquarters, 1st Provisional Engineer Construction Group (Location unknown).
38c & d. Steps of Asian temple (Location unknown).
38e. Interior view of soldiers at work (Location unknown).
38f. Same as 38b.
38g. "A Jap temple" (Location unknown).
38h. Asian farmers (Location unknown).
38i. Post exchange door in Asian building (Location unknown).
38j. Same at 38g.
Page 39 (7 prints):
39a. "Yakutat" Same as 34 (4 X 5 inch).
39b. "Yakutat" Same as 35 (4 X 5 inch).
39c. "Yakutat" Portrait of Stoars standing next to wooden pole (2.75 X 4.5 inch).
39d. Unidentified soldier (2 X 2.75 inch).
39e. Unidentified soldier in dress uniform (2 X 2.5 inch).
39f. "Yakutat" Stoars and unidentified sergeant in dress uniform (3 X 4.25 inch).
39g. "Yakutat" Portrait of Stoars in garrison cap.
Page 40 (7 prints):
40a. "April 1941" Stoars in dress uniform in front of log building at Yakutat (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
40b. "Spencer and me." Shirtless Spencer and Stoars (Location unknown)(2.5 X 3.5 inch).
40c. Unidentified forest scene (2 X 2.75 inch).
40d. "Br... in Spokane, 1944" soldier next to building steps (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
40e. Same as 39c (2.75 X 4.5 inch).
40f. "Just an old Sour Puss" Stoars in garrison cap and sweatshirt (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
40g. "April 1941" Group photo of Stoars and four other soldiers in dress uniforms in front of log building at Yakutat (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
Page 41 (6 prints):
41a. "Grandpa John Stoars and Lona at our home on 2268 Trade Str., Salem, Oregon, 1963"; June 1963 (3.5 X 3.5 inch).
41b. "Mae, Willa, Allison Stoars at Otis Fogelsong, Salem, 1963"; June 1963 (3.5 X 3.5 inch).
41c. "Grandpa John Stoars at Otis Fogelsong"; June 1963 (3.5 X 3.5 inch).
41d-f. "Allison Stoars, 1937" High school portrait proofs (1.5 X 2.25 inch).
Page 42 (8 prints):
42a. "My aunt from Birmingham visited us in August. Especially good of Jack and his dog." Elderly woman and boy with dog sitting on car running board (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
42b. "John, Topper, Jackie" Man, boy and dog in front of grocer's bus (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
42c. "(Fred's my brother) little girl Ann, Jack and Topper, our pride and Joy. Fred's car in front yard of our house in back of the store. Xmas 1949" Boy, girl and dog on motor scooter in front of house (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
42d. "John Stoars and Jack G." Man and boy at door of grocer's bus (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
42e. "Jackie, May – '42" Boy in sailor hat (2 X 3.5 inch).
42f. "Jackie, 4-20-'42, cowboy suit for his birthday" Boy next to porch steps (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
42g. "Grandpa John Stoars in Fresno California & Leslie Pepper" Joan Stoars and infant girl in front of house; Aug. 12, 1954 (Kodacolor print, 3.5 X 3.5 inch).
42h. "Our car at Grandpa Stoars, California"; July 1955 (Kodacolor print, 3.5 X 3.5 inch).
Page 43 (6 prints):
43a. "Christmas at Grandpa & Grandma Stoars, 1950" Group photo in living room (3.5 X 3.5 inch).
43b. "Pepper and Millie, May '52" Man and woman in front of house (3.5 X 5 inch).
43c. "Xmas at Peppers" Two men in barbeque chef hats in kitchen (3.5 X 3.5 inch).
43d. "Grandpa & Grandma Stoars" Car and trailer next to house; July 1955 (3.5 X 3.5 inch).
43e. "Grandpa John & Grandma Mae Stoars' home, 1957" (2.75 X 4.5 inch).
43f. "Jack, Topper and new scooter, Xmas 1949" Boy and dog on scooter (2.5 X 3.5 inch).
Page 44 (1 print, 3.5 X 3.5 inch):
44. "March 1960, Henry, Lizzie, LaVerne Scierke. Grandpa John's sister" Two men and woman in front of house (3.5 X 3.5 inch).
Loose Photographs:
-"Mt St. Elias Range from Yakutat, Alaska" (Panorama composed of 8 prints, 3 X 4.5 inch).
-"Unalaska" Unalaska Village (Rolled panoramic print, 3.25 X 29 inch).