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Title: Robert Parvin Williams Papers
Dates: 1916-1951
Collection number: 68017
Creator:
Williams, Robert Parvin
Collection Size:
8 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize folder
3.5 linear feet)
Repository:
Hoover Institution Archives
Stanford, California 94305-6010
Abstract: Papers of Robert Parvin Williams, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, including diaries, memoirs, correspondence, studies, memoranda,
photographs, maps, charts, and printed matter, 1916-1951, relating to the U.S. Army Medical Service in the China-India-Burma
Theater during World War II, and during the Korean War.
Physical location: Hoover Institution Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
The collection is open for research
The Hoover Institution Archives only allows access to
copies of audiovisual items. To listen to sound recordings or to view videos or films during your visit, please contact the Archives
at least two working days before your arrival. We will then advise you of the accessibility of the material you wish to see
or hear. Please note that not all audiovisual material is immediately accessible.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Archives
[Identification of item], Robert Parvin Williams, [Box no.], Hoover Institution Archives
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Archives in 1968.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. To determine if this has occurred, find
the collection in Stanford University's online catalog at
http://searchworks.stanford.edu/ . Materials have been added to the collection if the number of boxes listed in the online catalog is larger than the number
of boxes listed in this finding aid.
| 1891 August 29 | Born, Greencastle, Indiana |
| 1912-1913 | Intern, Ancon Hospital, Panama Canal Zone |
| 1913 | M.D., University of Cincinnati |
| 1913-1915 | Cincinnati General Hospital |
| 1915 | First Lieutenant, Medical Corps, U.S. Army |
| 1915-1916 | Student, Army Medical School |
| 1916-1917 | Adjutant, Camp Hospital, Mexican border, Douglas, Arizona |
| 1917-1918 | Assistant Divisional Surgeon |
| 1918 | Organizer and Commander, general hospital no. 34, East Norfolk, Massachusetts |
| 1927 | Honor graduate, Medical Field Service School |
| 1928-1930 | Student, Command and General Staff School |
| 1934-1935 | Army War College |
| 1935 | Chemical Warfare School |
| 1935-1939 | Instructor, Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia |
| 1939-1940 | Director, training, Medical Field Service School, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania |
| 1940 | Commanding officer, First Regiment, march from Pennsylvania to California |
| 1942 February 5 | Member, General Joseph Stilwell's military mission to China and Burma |
| 1942 May | Surgeon, General, Stilwell's column, retreat from Burma to India |
| 1944-1945 | Chief surgeon, General Dan I. Sultan's India-Burma theater |
| 1945 July-1949 | Army surgeon, Fourth Army |
| 1949 September-November | Special assistant to surgeon general |
| 1949 | Promoted through grades to Brigadier General |
| 1967 November 20 | Died |
Scope and Content of Collection
Papers of Robert Parvin Williams, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, include diaries, memoirs, correspondence, studies, memoranda,
photographs, maps, charts, and printed matter, 1916-1951, relating to the U.S. Army Medical Service in the China-India-Burma
Theater during World War II, and during the Korean War.
The Biographical File, in addition to Robert Parvin Williams' curriculum vitae and citations, offers an example of his skills
as a writer and a speaker. But of more interest to the researchers might be his diaries, divided in sections in chronological
order, recording announcements of citations, daily events and schedules, his itineraries, and description of performance of
his duties in the context of prevalent military situation of 1941-1945.
The bulk of the materials refer to the services provided by the medical units of different army divisions within the framework
of the United States Army operations in various parts of the world. All of these documents are included under the general
heading of United States Army File. The materials are listed in chronological order under the names of the army units with
a description of physical forms. Robert Williams' work in the China-Burma-India theater along with General Joseph Stilwell
deserves a particular mention.
The series of Photographs is a visual record of army operations involving machineries, weapons, and individuals. Some photographic
prints are attached to the materials they illustrate and they have been left in the United States Army File where noted. Loose
prints including oversize prints are generally listed in chronological order with information about dates and the names of
photographers whenever available. Loose prints found in the folders have been left in place. They might be better understood
if considered in the context of the materials in the folder.
The collection is organized into 3 series: Biographical File, United States Army File, and Photographs.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in Stanford University's online catalog.
United States. Army--Officers.
United States. Army Medical Service.
Korean War, 1950-1953.
World War, 1939-1945.
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Burma.
World War, 1939-1945--China.
World War, 1939-1945--Medical care.
China
United States—Armed Forces.
Joseph W. Stilwell Papers, Hoover Institution Archives
Frank Papers Dorn, Hoover Institution Archives
Raymond A.Wheeler Papers, Hoover Institution Archives
There are many other related collections in the Hoover Institution Archives. Please consult the Archives web page for the
listing.