A Register of the Robert Parvin Williams Papers
Processed by Aparna Mukherjee
Hoover Institution Archives
Stanford University
Stanford, California 94305-6010
Phone: (650) 723-3563
Fax: (650) 725-3445
Email: archives@hoover.stanford.edu
© 2007
Hoover Institution Archives. All rights reserved.
A Register of the Robert Parvin Williams Papers
Hoover Institution Archives
Stanford University
Stanford, California
- Processed by:
- Aparna Mukherjee
- Date Completed:
- 2007
- Encoded by:
- ByteManagers using OAC finding aid conversion service specifications and Elizabeth Konzak
© 2007 Hoover Institution Archives. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
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
Administrative Information
Access
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.
Publication Rights
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Archives
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Robert Parvin Williams, [Box no.], Hoover Institution Archives
Acquisition Information
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Archives in 1968.
Accruals
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.
Biography Note
| 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.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into 3 series: Biographical File, United States Army File, and Photographs.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in Stanford University's online catalog.
Subjects
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.
Related Material
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.
Container List
Box: 1
Biographical File,
1940-1951.
Scope and Content Note
Includes a curriculum vitae, citations, diary, index to Robert Parvin Williams' personal correspondence, writings and speeches
by him and by others, arranged alphabetically by physical form
Box/Folder: 1 : 1
Biographical information up to 1951 March 9
Index to personal correspondence
Box/Folder: 1 : 4
1948 January 2 – August 10
Box/Folder: 1 : 7
"The New Regimental Medical Detachment," an Infantry School teaching,
Military Surgeon,
1940 January
"One Man's CBI: A Different Kind of War,"
1942
Box/Folder: 1 : 9
Part I – India.
Scope and Content Note
Includes photographs
Box/Folder: 1 : 12
Speech, members of the graduating class, Army Specialized Training Program, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston,
Texas,
1947 September 19
Box/Folder: 1 : 13-14
"Medical Participation in Exercise Seminole" with Arin F. Robinson,
Military Surgeon,
1948 December.
Scope and Content Note
Includes related correspondence, 1947 October 10 – 1949 April 11, one undated letter and one telegram, and photographic prints
Box/Folder: 1 : 15
T. E. Darby and Paul E. Zuver,
1940 January
Box/Folder: 1 : 16
Francis P. Kintz and John Edgar,
1950 January - March
Box/Folder: 1 : 17
Amos R. Koontz,
1950 December
Box/Folder: 1 : 18
James B. Mason and Charles H. Beasley,
1950 December
Box/Folder: 1 : 19-20
Spurgeon H. Neel, Jr.,
1950 November and 1951 February
Box/Folder: 1 : 21-22
James H. Stone, Military,
1949 March and October
United States Army File,
1916–1951.
Scope and Content Note
It assesses the role of medical service units in the context of the United States Army operations in general, Army War College
instructions, performance of various army units and training facilities, and the conduct of the war based on situations in
different geographical areas
Box/Folder: 1 : 23
Conduct of War Course, Part II, Analytical Studies,
undated
Box/Folder: 1 : 24
Map – Chickamauga and Tullahoma Campaigns,
undated
Box/Folder: 1 : 25
Conduct of War Course, map problem I,
undated
Box/Folder: 1 : 26
G-1 to G-4 courses,
undated
Box/Folder: 2 : 2
Special map no. 5, edition of 1930
Box/Folder: 2 : 3
War Plans Course, volume 1,
1931 - 1935 March 11.
Scope and Content Note
Includes a map of Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey, Central Luzon, Philippine Islands, 1931
Box/Folder: 2 : 4
Gettysburg-Richmond map,
1932
Box/Folder: 2 : 5
General - Fort Humphreys,
1934 March 26 – 1935 June 25
Box/Folder: 2 : 6
G-3 Course,
1934 September 28 – October 4
Box/Folder: 2 : 7
G-1 Course,
1934 October 12 – December 19
Box/Folder: 2 : 8
G-4 Course,
1934 November 12-28
Box/Folder: 2 : 9
Conduct of War Course, Part I, Analytical Studies, lectures,
1935 January – February 4
Box/Folder: 2 : 10
War Plans Course, volume 1 (a) – Presentation of "Overseas Possession" by Robert Williams, study no. 3, Philippine Islands,
1935 March 1
Box/Folder: 2 : 11
War Plans Course, volume III,
1935 April 1-5
Box/Folder: 2 : 12
Preparation for War Course, Part II,
1935 April 18 – May 1.
Scope and Content Note
Individual general staff memoranda, medical service of the Cavalry Division, 1935 June 3
Box/Folder: 2 : 13
Conduct of War, course no. 20, lectures delivered by Fox Connor, William D. Connor, D. E. Nolan, and Chas, F., B., Price,
Army War College, Fort Humphreys, Washington, D.C.,
1935 May 10 – June 6
Box/Folder: 2 : 14
Conduct of War, part II, course no. 23, Field Exercise, Army War College, Fort Humphreys, Washington, D.C.,
1935 June 10-12.
Scope and Content Note
Includes notes and related materials
Box/Folder: 2 : 15
Clippings,
1935 June 19-20
Box/Folder: 2 : 16
Conduct of War Course – Second map problem period,
1935 June-July
Box: 3
Medical Field Service File
Box/Folder: 3 : 1
General,
undated.
Scope and Content Note
Combat principles, equipments and supplies, functions, and training drill
Box/Folder: 3 : 2
Department of Training – Industrial Mobilization and Procurement Planning,
undated.
Scope and Content Note
Report
Box/Folder: 3 : 3
Manual for the Medical Department,
1916.
Scope and Content Note
Corrected to June 15, 1918
Box/Folder: 3 : 4
Medical service in a modern Cavalry Division,
1930 October- November.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda and report
Box/Folder: 3 : 5
Brochures,
1934-1936 and undated
Box/Folder: 3 : 6
Tactical Employment of the Medical Service (Tentative) C&GSS,
1938.
Scope and Content Note
Report
Box/Folder: 3 : 8
1927 October 13 – 1935 December 9 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Clipping, correspondence, memoranda, notes, and reports
Box/Folder: 3 : 9
1929 September 8 – 1932 March 23.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence with Condon C. McCormack
Box/Folder: 3 : 10
1929 – 1932 July 18 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Includes chart for evacuation of casualties, list of personnel, notes, and printed matter
Box/Folder: 3 : 11
1929 November 1 – 1933 September 28 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence with Edgar King
Box/Folder: 3 : 12
1930 April 7 – 1933 September 20 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, memoranda, and notes
Box/Folder: 3 : 13
1931 January 6 – 1940 March 22.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda and notes
Box/Folder: 3 : 14
1932 January 19 – August 4 and undated
Scope and Content Note
List of supplies, notes, proceedings of conference, and summary of intelligence records
Box/Folder: 3 : 15
1932 June 27 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Letter and photographic prints and illustrations
Box/Folder: 3 : 16
1933 December 4 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Letter and photographic prints
Box/Folder: 4 : 1
1940 April-May –
September 3.
Scope and Content Note
Chart, correspondence, memoranda, press release, report, and telegram
Box/Folder: 4 : 2
Miscellany,
1930-1933 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Includes related materials, some photographic prints with illustrations, and Christmas programs
Box/Folder: 4 : 3
1940 April 13 – May 2.
Scope and Content Note
Instructions
Box/Folder: 4 : 4
1947 August 31 –
1949 October - December.
Scope and Content Note
Brochure, list of numbered hospitals as of 1945 May 31, memoranda, and photographic prints
Box/Folder: 4 : 5
1947 September 8 – 1948 January 30 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, list of personnel, and report of the General Board, United States Forces, European Theater
Box/Folder: 4 : 6
1947 October15 – 1949 February and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda, notes, report, and telegrams
Box/Folder: 4 : 7
1948 January 26 – 1948 April 2.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, list, memoranda, and miscellany
Box/Folder: 4 : 8
1948 January 29 – February 26.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence and memoranda
Box/Folder: 4 : 9
1949 January 31 – February 28.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, memoranda, and related materials
Box/Folder: 4 : 10
1948 March 29 – 1948 April 30.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, memoranda, and related materials
Box/Folder: 4 : 11
1948 May 3 - June 4.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence
Box/Folder: 4 : 12
1948 June 2 – June 30.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, memoranda, and related materials
Box/Folder: 4 : 13
1948 July 2 – August 10.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, list, memoranda, and miscellany
Box/Folder: 4 : 14
1948 – 1949 January 31.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, memoranda, record of telephone conversation, and miscellany
Box/Folder: 4 : 15
1949 February 28 – March 31.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence and memoranda
Box/Folder: 4 : 16
1949 April 4 – April 20.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, memoranda, and miscellany
Box/Folder: 4 : 17
1949 May 2 – May 31.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, memoranda, and related materials
Box/Folder: 4 : 18
1949 June 1 – June 30 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, memoranda, and note
Box/Folder: 4 : 19
1949 June 27 – July 11.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, memoranda, and note
Box: 5
Infantry School,
1938-1939
Box/Folder: 5 : 1
1925 January – 1939 March 7.
Scope and Content Note
Course material, map, and memoranda
Box/Folder: 5 : 2
1939 February 20-21 –
June 1.
Scope and Content Note
Course and test materials and map
Box/Folder: 5 : 3
Conference, Part I, Legal Aspects, section I, Continental United States,
undated
Box/Folder: 5 : 4-6
Maneuvers – Sections I-V,
1939 June 2-9
Mimeographed Instructional Matter,
1938-1939
Box/Folder: 6 : 4
Ninth Corps –
1940 May 9 – 1941 October 24.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, medical organizational records, and memoranda
Box/Folder: 6 : 5
Seventh Infantry Division –
1950 October 27 – 1951 March 11.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda
Box/Folder: 6 : 6
China-Burma-India Theater (CBI),
1942 May 30 - 1945 October 5 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Clipping, diary, graphs, list of personnel, maps, memoranda, military circulars, printed matter, and related materials
Box/Folder: 6 : 7
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Arizona,
1932 – 1934 April and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Booklet, correspondence, journal, memoranda, notes, photographic prints, and printed matter
Box/Folder: 6 : 8
Far East Command,
1950 October 17 – 1951 February 1 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Bulletin, list of personnel, medical information, memoranda, note, and related materials
Box/Folder: 7 : 1
Japan – NARA Station Hospital,
1951 March 17 – April 5 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Includes information booklet, operational data, memoranda, notes, physical reconditioning program, and sketches
Box/Folder: 7 : 2
General,
1951 March 1 – April 30 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Agenda for Medical Policy Council, list of medical service personnel and patients, notes, operational data from surgeon general's
office, and related materials
Box/Folder: 7 : 3
Maps - Different regions of Korea, such as, Inchon, Chunghon, and Samchok, undated; and I Corps medical installations,
1951 March 19
Box/Folder: 7 : 4
Report – Robert Williams' trip to Korea,
1951
Box/Folder: 7 : 5
Mountain Stretchers File,
1943 January 22 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Includes bibliography and photographic prints with illustrations
Box/Folder: 7 : 6
Third Army –
1940 January 17 – May 15 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Maneuvers. Includes maps and photographic prints
Box/Folder: 7 : 7
1929 September 8 – 1933 June 27 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence with Garfield L. McKinney
Box/Folder: 7 : 8
1930 June 2 – 1933 September 21.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence with T. E. Darby. Includes memoranda
Box/Folder: 7 : 9
1932 August 16 – 1933 July 7.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence with Fred?
Box/Folder: 7 : 10
1937 January – 1950 October 12.
Scope and Content Note
Medical Instructors bulletin and memoranda
Box/Folder: 7 : 11
1937 June 15 – 1940 September 10 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Memoranda, report of physical examination of enlisted men on induction, and special orders
Box/Folder: 7 : 12
1939.
Scope and Content Note
Protective Mobilization Plan including changes No. 3, 1940 January 16
Box/Folder: 7 : 13
1940 May 25 – July 8 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Chart, correspondence, memoranda, and notes
Box/Folder: 7 : 14
The Cacolet – some photographic prints attached to the materials,
undated
Box/Folder: 7 : 15
Inspection records,
1951 March 2 – October 3.
Scope and Content Note
Clippings, correspondence, memoranda, and notes
Box/Folder: 7 : 16
Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps,
1933 June
Box/Folder: 7 : 17
Sketches from the Medical Department Equipment Laboratory,
undated
Photographs,
1927 – 1950 and undated.
Scope and Content Note
Includes 277 photographic prints including 2 oversize prints of Army officials and 27 negatives reflecting army operations
with machineries and individuals whose names are sometimes mentioned on the other side of the prints.
Map_Case Map Case
2 oversize group photographic prints of army officials,
undated
Box/Folder: 8 : 1
43 prints, Cavalry Division, and 5 prints depicting army vehicles,
undated
Box/Folder: 8 : 2
18 prints depicting army operation, modes of transport, and personnel,
undated
Box/Folder: 8 : 3
4 prints and 2 negatives taken by Johnny McKee depicting D-Day on the Florida Gulf coast objective area,
undated
Box/Folder: 8 : 4
26 prints depicting the sea, ships with numbers, military vehicles, land transports, soldiers including wounded ones,
undated
Box/Folder: 8 : 5
12 prints depicting soldiers with horses in open fields or by the mountain, Fort Bliss, Texas,
undated
Box/Folder: 8 : 6
1 print depicting 4 soldiers with their names on the other side of the print standing in front of a building,
1927 August
Box/Folder: 8 : 7
5 prints taken by Don Thompson? depicting soldiers with horses engaged in various activities,
circa 1931
Box/Folder: 8 : 8
86 prints including some from Cavalry Division depicting soldiers involved in various activities,
1932
Box/Folder: 8 : 9
12 prints depicting soldiers playing and a big building, Army War College,
1934-1935
Box/Folder: 8 : 10
2 prints of a number of people belonging to different medical groups, Fourth Corps, with their names listed,
1940
Box/Folder: 8 : 11
29 prints depicting China-Burma-India sector including the retreat from Burma to India with a note from Joseph Stilwell about
Robert Williams' contribution and award of Purple Heart to Joseph Stilwell,
1942.
Scope and Content Note
Includes description of the prints on the other side
Box/Folder: 8 : 12
6 prints taken by John McKee depicting soldiers of the Second Armored Division,
1947
Box/Folder: 8 : 13
25 negatives and 2 miniature films returned by the Fourth Army with a request for developing for the purpose of using them
in an article,
1948
Box/Folder: 8 : 14
1 print depicting a soldier receiving medical care during Korean conflict,
1950
