Paul A. Putnam Papers

1926-1953
Manuscript Collection #313
Creator(s)
Putnam, Paul Albert
Physical description
0.43 Cubic Feet, 306 items , consisting of correspondence, diaries, a photograph, clippings, citations, orders, recipe book, and miscellany.
Preferred Citation
Paul A. Putnam Papers (#313), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
No restrictions

Papers (1926-1953) of Brig. General Paul A. Putnam, U. S. Marine Corps, an aviator, who was captured at Wake Island and was a POW in Japan, 1941-1945, consisting of correspondence, diaries, a photograph, clippings, citations, orders, recipe book, copies of awards, citations, publications, newspaper articles.


Biographical/historical information

Brigadier General Paul Albert Putnam (1903-1982) was a native of Milan, Michigan. He attended Iowa State College, at Ames, where he later enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on March 3, 1926, while he was stationed at the Navy yard in Norfolk, Virginia.

After he was commissioned, Putnam went to Nicaragua, where he won the Nicaragua Cross of Valor and a letter of commendation for suppression of banditry. After taking flying lessons in San Diego in 1928, Putnam returned to Nicaragua as an aviator. He assisted in the rehabilitation of that country after an earthquake in 1932.

Following his return from Nicaragua, Putnam served at Pensacola, Florida, St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, and at the officers' school in Quantico, Virginia. Putnam returned to San Diego in June, 1939, where he served until his departure for duty in the Pacific during World War II. By then a major, he commanded Marine Fighting Squadron 211, engaging in temporary aviation duty on Wake Island. Putnam arrived on Wake Island on December 4, 1941, and was captured by the Japanese when the island fell on December 23, 1941. Putnam and other prisoners arrived at Zentsuji Prison Camp in Japan on January 29, 1942. He remained in Japanese prison camps until liberated by American troops in August, 1945. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism at Wake Island.

He was married to Virginia Miley Putnam (1907-2002) and they had three daughters: Carol Putnam Shudde, Peggy Putnam, and J.M. Putnam.

Source used in addition to Paul A. Putnam Papers: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1982/05/27/navy-cross-winner/4a8676f6-f3ae-4029-9151-ec724dbae2cd/?utm_term=.e4214661f3e3


Scope and arrangement

The most significant materials in the collection pertain to the defense of Wake Island and Putnam's imprisonment in Japan. Of particular importance are Putnam's three diaries which mention his capture on Wake Island and describe his imprisonment by the Japanese (1942-1945). Portions of the diaries were written in shorthand; however, they have been transcribed. Also included is a POW recipe book from the prison camp in Zentsuji, Japan.

The diaries discuss life in prisoner-of-war camps: problems with food, unsanitary conditions, the difference in treatment of officers and enlisted men, and day-to-day routines. The routines included work around the camp, raising rabbits, and agricultural activities. Putnam also recorded the prisoners' move to Rokuroshi (June, 1945) and the reaction of the Japanese to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Aug. 6-17, 1945).

Also in the collection are a report, rosters, and other records that reflect the activities of the Marine Fighting Squadron 211. Putnam recorded information about his squadron's defense of Wake Island and noted details of the service of each man in the squadron.

Among the chiefly routine correspondence pertaining to Putnam's military career (1926-1953) are letters reflecting the service of Putnam and his men on Wake Island and their subsequent imprisonment. Included are copies of letters Putnam wrote to his family from Japan and correspondence recommending some of his men for citations. In addition, the correspondence includes a confidential letter regarding a clandestine naval operation to Wake Island (1941), and post-war correspondence between Putnam and the men that served under his command on Wake Island and between Putnam and his superiors (1942-1947). In the post-war correspondence Putnam recognizes the spirit of the men during captivity and the justice of their receiving delinquent flight-order pay.

Additional material pertaining to the defense of Wake Island includes copies of awards, citations, and a variety of publications, including newspaper articles and the score of a song, "Wake Island."

Routine orders (1926-1952) provide details concerning Putnam's military career.

Among the miscellaneous material in the collection are a photograph of Putnam and his wife and a chronology of Putnam's service in the Marine Corps. Oversized material includes three watercolor prints done by Arthur Beaumont of Wake Island fighting scenes dramatized in the Paramount movie "Wake Island."


Administrative information
Custodial History

July 19, 1976, ca. 250 items; Papers (1926-1949) of Marine Corps officer, including correspondence, diaries, a photograph, clippings, citations, orders, and related materials. Diaries pertain to capture of Wake Island by the Japanese and imprisonment in a Japanese POW (prisoner-of-war) camp. Gift of Brig. General and Mrs. Paul A. Putnam, Fairfax, Virginia.

August 22, 1986, 9 items; World War II POW recipe book and correspondence (1941, 1945-1947). Gift of Mrs. Virginia M. Putnam, Mesa, Arizona.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Brig. General Paul A. Putnam

Gift of Mrs. Virginia M. Putnam

Processing information

Processed by S. Hill; L. Turner, January 1992

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.


Key terms
Personal Names
Putnam, Paul Albert
Corporate Names
United States Marine Fighter Squadron, 211
United States. Marine Corps--Officers
Topical
Soldiers--United States--Correspondence
Wake Island, Battle of, Wake Island, 1941
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons, Japanese
Places
Hiroshima-shi (Japan)--History--Bombardment, 1945
Nagasaki-shi (Japan)--History--Bombardment, 1945
Zentsūji-shi (Japan)--History, Military--20th century