John B. Lomax Collection
Scope and Contents
A copy of discharge papers belonging to John B. Lomax and accompanying the present photographs suggest that he is the compiler and annotator. Most of the photographs picture the men of the 3067 in uniform, and in the snow, at Camp Guernsey in Wyoming, though a few of the photographs likely show the men in service in Europe or on their way there, with a tropical backdrop to more than one image. The men clown around outside the mess hall, pose outside barracks after visiting the rifle range, stand at attention with rifles, sit in Jeeps, stand casually in the snow, and more. A small panorama pictures the entire African-American unit standing proudly behind their four white officers.
The annotations note several other soldiers by name or nickname, including Overton ("Old saw dust brain"), Ben, Taylor, Johnny Boy, "Old Spraglin," Veasy ("The mail man himself...the morale of the company"), Gibson, Lee, "G.L Gip," and an unnamed motor sergeant ("Now don't ask about this guy. He's the motor sgt. for the company. Dead buddies we are"). Lomax wrote sarcastic remarks on the back of almost all of the photographs.
John B. Lomax was born and raised in Atlanta. He was inducted into the Army at Fort Benning, and discharged at Fort McPherson, Ga. He is likely the same John B. Lomax who passed away in Atlanta in 2010, having been widowed by Helen Lomax some time ago. One photograph of an African-American soldier in the present grouping is inscribed "Love to Helen" on the front, with a long inscription to her on the back, signed "Always, Cooks." This is likely a nickname for Lomax, or his preferred name when writing to his wife.
Dates
- circa 1944 - 1946 April
Conditions Governing Access
Biographical Note - John B. Lomax
According to the discharge papers, the 3067 Quartermasters served in Central Europe. Salvage companies, sometimes employing Axis P.O.W.s, retrieved discarded or abandoned materiel, both friendly and hostile, and were often responsible for the re-burial of Allied dead.
Extent
.21 Linear Feet (1 Half Hollinger box)
Language of Materials
English
Overview
Physical Location
- Title
- Finding Aid for the John B. Lomax Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Zach Johnson
- Date
- April 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Vanderbilt University Special Collections Repository
Jean and Alexander Heard Library
419 21st Avenue South
Nashville TN 37203 United States
specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu