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Thomas B. Stewart oral history

 Collection
Identifier: C MSS OH381

Scope and Contents

Stewart was interviewed about his experiences by Kate Bausler (KTOO TV) at his home in Alaska: war in Italy and strategy behind taking Riva Ridge and Mt. Belvedere; crossing the Po River and circumstances around receiving the Silver Star medal; battle at the end of the war and the terms of surrender for the Germans (DVD1) -- time at Ft. Benning and joining the ski troops in Alaska; becoming a certified ski instructor and rock climbing instruction at Ft. Edwards, Mass., and in N.H.; teaching skiing and winter camping in Mich.; President of the Ski Club of Juneau after the war; time in the Aleutian Islands, how Americans were unaware of Japanese departure; weather and the loss of life due to friendly fire; Japanese flag found by Sherman Smith and later contact with original owner, Japanese soldier Karl Kasukabe; reunion in Seattle, Wash. in 1986 (DVD2) -- continues discussion about time at Kiska Island; civilian life after the war; education and appointment as judge in Alaska.

Dates

  • Check date

Creator

Language of Materials

Material is in English unless otherwise noted.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the author of the items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Biographical / Historical

Thomas Byrd Stewart was born in Seattle, Wash. on January 1, 1919 and while a student at the University of Washington, enlisted in the Army as a private in April 1941. He received his basic training at Ft. Lewis, Wash. before attending Officer's Training School at Ft. Benning, Ga. Initially a 1st Lieutenant, he was later commission a Captain. Stewart joined the Alaska Regiment, 1st Battalion, 87th Mountain Infantry Reinforced Ski Troops, later known as the 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. He served as company commander for the Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment and participated in the Kiska invasion and the Italian Campaign. During combat operations in Italy he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal on February 20, 1945 for his actions at Mount Belvedere and later the Silver Star Medal on April 23, 1945 at S. Benedetto Po. He died in Juneau, Alaska on December 12, 2007.

Extent

3 videodiscs

Other Finding Aids

Typed transcript of tape available.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift;KTOO TV;Juneau, Alaska;2007.

Linking Entry Complexity Note

Forms part of the 10th Mountain Division Resource Center Collection.

Title
Finding Aid for the Thomas B. Stewart oral history,2007[videorecording]
Author
Finding Aid prepared from MARC data.
Description rules
Anglo American Cataloguing Rules
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Denver Public Library, Western History and Genealogy Repository

Contact:
10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy
Denver CO 80204 United States