Matlock Family Papers, 1936-1946 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Luiz E. Simonetti

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Collection Overview

Title: Matlock Family Papers, 1936-1946

Primary Creator: Matlock, Julian (1926-1946)

Extent: 0.44 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 05/21/2001

Subjects: World War, 1939-1945.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Most of the collection consists of letters sent by Sgt. Julian Matlock to his mother, Miss Virgie Matlock. The letters were sent during WWII. The collection also contains letters sent by friends to Sgt. Matlock. Letters from Ivan Matlock can be found in this collection, he was Sgt. Matlock's uncle. He also fought in WWII, but in Europe. In folder 14, an original service diary can be found, but it is not filled. In folder 15, oversize, a Japanese flag and two handkerchiefs with newspaper first pages stamped on it can be found.

Collection Historical Note

Julian Matlock was born in Lancaster, KY on August 8, 1926. His mother was Virgie Matlock. He joined the US Army on 8 Nov 1944 and was inducted into military service at Camp Atterbury, IN. From there he was sent to California where he joined the 19th Infantry. He fought in the Pacific, first in Mindoro, Philippines, and later in the invasion of the island of Mindanao. In one of the major battles of the Pacific, the 19th Infantry under the 8th Army captured Davao (on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines) on 2 May 1944.

On 8 Oct 1945, the 19th Infantry was sent to Japan as part of the 6th Army. In Japan they were sent to Kochi, and after that to the Island of Shikoku. Sgt. Matlock describe in his letters a lot of patrolling in this area. After almost a year in Japan Sgt. Matlock finally came back to the United States, and died in a fire at the Sheffield Manor hotel in Chicago, IL. The incident became national news.

Subject/Index Terms

World War, 1939-1945.

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Rogers, Jim

Acquisition Method: gift

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[All]

Box 1

Barcode: 31234014110934

Folder 1: Correspondence from Julian (June) Matlock to his mother, Miss Virgie Matlock, Oct 1944-Feb 1945

The letters were sent from Camp Atterbury, IN (near Columbus, IN) and Camp Roberts, CA (near Bradley, CA). In his letters, Matlock states that he wanted to go to the Navy but was drafted into the Army. He shares his first impressions of the Army, which are not very flattering, and talks about the routines of daily life in the Army including the usual complaints about the food, the clothing and the training. He also talks about matters at home like the purchase of an automobile and tobacco farming. This folder contains a color postcard with patriotic red, white & blue V for Victory and USA with stars [Tichnor Bros., Inc.]

Item 1: Unidentified Boy: Unidentified boy, the photo seems to have been cut from a larger photo; Physical Description: .75x1.5

Folder 2: Correspondence from Sgt. Matlock to his mother, Miss Virgie Matlock, Mar-Sep 1945

The letters were sent from Mindanao, Province of Davao, Philippines, Ft. Ord, CA and Camp Roberts, CA. The letters have some descriptions of the locals and the islands, and he talks about the German surrender in Europe, the possibility of the Russians entering the war against Japan and the fact that he mostly has nothing to do and is not in any danger. (24 letters, 21 envelopes and 1 address change card)

Folder 3: Correspondence from Sgt. Julian Matlock to his mother, Miss Virgie Matlock, Nov 1945-Feb 1946

The letters were sent from Japan during the Allied occupation, and they talk about common life in the American bases, and family matters. Include two certificates of souvenir mailing to the U.S.(13 letters with 10 envelopes)

Folder 4: Correspondence from Sgt. Julian Matlock to his mother, Miss Virgie Matlock, Jan - Apr 1946

The letters were sent from Japan during the Allied occupation, and they talk about common life in the American bases, and family matters. (20 letters with 17 envelopes, and 2 authorizations to mail objects)

Folder 5: Correspondence from Sgt. Julian Matlock to his mother, Miss Virgie Matlock, May- Sep 1946

The letters were sent from Japan during the Allied occupation, and they talk about common life in the American bases, and family matters. (22 letters with 20 envelopes)

Folder 6: Letters and photographs from friends of Sgt. Matlock to his mother, Miss Virgie Matlock, Dec 1946-Feb 1947

They are Joseph Miano, Russell Johnson, and Ben Peck. The photographs were taken during the occupation of Japan. The letters were sent after his death. (5 letters and 4 envelopes, 3 photographs)

Item 2: Soldiers in Japan, 1945 Nov: Russell Johnson and Ben Peck during the occupation of Japan; Physical Description: 2.5x2.5
Item 3: Soldiers in Japan: Joseph Miano, Julian Matlock, and men identified as Wicker, Spadano, and Demeako on a tug boat during the occupation of Japan. Has which states the men are from on the back; Physical Description: 2.75x3.75
Item 4: Soldiers in Japan: Julian Matlock, Joseph Miano, and men identified as Spadaso, Demeako, Wicker, and Papesh during the occupation of Japan with Japanese school to the left. Has which states the men are from on the back; Physical Description: 2.5x3.5

Folder 7: Other Correspondence, Jun 1946-Nov 1944

Letters from Claribel and Cheek, Burdetta Cosby, Arlene Van Winkle, and Esther N. Bruner, from Nicholasville, KY to Sgt. Matlock. (15 letters and 14 envelopes)

Folder 8: Greeting Cards, Dec 1944

Sent to Sgt. Matlock from his mother, Miss Virgie Matlock and Arlene Van Winkle. (5 greeting cards and 3 envelopes)

Folder 9: Unidentified Letters, Dec 1944

Sent by Susie from Circleville, Kansas. Another letter to Bobbei by Joan from Kanko Unzen, Japan; and a poetic letter. (4 letters)

Folder 10: Matlock Family Correspondence, Dec-Sep 1944

Letters from Virginia Matlock to Ivan Matlock, her husband. One greeting card from Virgie Matlock to her brother Ivan Matlock. Letter sent by Jewel, Ed., and Bonnie to Ivan Matlock. (3 letters, 3 envelopes, and 1 greeting card)

Folder 11: Sympathy Cards, 1945-1946

10 empty envelopes and 5 sympathy cards for the funeral of Sgt. Matlock. The folder also contains one receipt and one greeting card. (5 sympathy cards, 1 greeting card, 12 envelopes and 1 receipt)

Folder 12: News Clipping and 19th Regiment, n.d.

The folder contain one newspaper article on the death of Sgt. Matlock, one grade report from 1936, a list of names in the 19th Infantry (1st Platoon), and 2 brochures describing the 19th Infantry Regiment.

Folder 13: Photographs

Ivan Matlock, Julian Matlock, Ab Matlock, Virgie Matlock, and photographs of friends taken in Japan. (22 photographs)

Item 5: Boy in Overalls: Unidentified boy in overalls, cut from a larger picture
Item 6: Julian Matlock and Virgie Matlock: Physical Description: 1.5x1.5
Item 7: Couple by a River: Unidentified couple sitting on a large rock next to a river (May be Ab Matlock and Virgie Matlock?); Physical Description: 2.25x2.25
Item 8: Ab Matlock, cut from a larger picture: Physical Description: .75x1.25
Item 9: Virgie Matlock: Physical Description: 2.25x3.25
Item 10: Couple by a River: Unidentified couple standing at the edge of a river (May be Ab Matlock and Virgie Matlock?); Physical Description: 2.5x3
Item 11: Julian Matlock, cut from a larger picture: Physical Description: 1.5x2.25
Item 12: Virgie Matlock standing beside a car: Physical Description: 2.75x4.5
Item 13: Virgie Matlock standing in front of a car: Physical Description: 2.75x4.5
Item 14: Virgie Matlock holding Julian Matlock on the hood of a car, ca. 1926: Physical Description: 2.75x4.5
Item 15: Virgie Matlock standing in front of a car: Physical Description: 2.75x4.5
Item 16: Girl on a Porch: Unidentified girl sitting on a porch with a stuffed animal and a doll; Physical Description: 3.5x5.25
Item 17: Julian Matlock in his military uniform: Physical Description: 4x5
Item 18: Ab Matlock and Virgie Matlock after five years of marriage: Physical Description: 3.5x5.25
Item 19: Ab Matlock? standing next to a car: Physical Description: 3.5x5.25
Item 20: Unidentified man in a military uniform: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 21: Unidentified woman: Unidentified woman with "Ivan Matlock" written on the back; Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 22: Unidentified Soldier: Unidentified military men holding a rifle at a military base; Physical Description: 2.5x3.25
Item 23: Unidentified woman: Unidentified woman standing in front of a building; Physical Description: 2x3
Item 24: Unidentified Soldiers: Unidentified man with a girl at each side, all dressed in military uniform; Physical Description: 2x3
Item 25: Unidentified Soldier: Unidentified woman in a military uniform; Physical Description: 2.25x3.25
Item 26: Unidentified Soldiers: Unidentified man and woman in military uniforms; Physical Description: 2x3

Folder 14: My Service Diary, Nov 1944

The diary is not filled. Diary given to soldiers during WWII

Folder 15: Memorabilia, 1945-1946

2 commemorative silk handkerchief, both of them are first-page of newspapers from the period, the main headlines in both of them are "Unconditional surrender by Japs completed at 20-minute ceremony," a Japanese flag from the same period. Filed oversize. (MD/07/03)

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