Spotlight: Christmas During WWII

In honor of the holiday season, the Unwritten Record presents Navy, Army, Marine, and Air Force (AAF) photographs that highlight the various ways in which service members spent Christmas between the years 1941 and 1944.

Record Group 80: General Records of the Department of the Navy

Photo ID: 80-G-162564. Original caption: “Enlisted men bow their heads as they follow the prayers of a chaplain on the deck of a warship somewhere at sea on Christmas, 1943. While his shipmates pray, one man on duty (lower left) keeps his ears alert for the orders of war.” Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 80-G-207324. Original caption: “War orphans of Malta were Christmas dinner guests aboard the USS Brooklyn (CL-40) in Malta Harbor, each with a sailor escort. Later there were gifts and movies in hangar. War orphans and escorts.” Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 80-G-207320. Original caption: “War orphans of Malta were Christmas dinner guests aboard the USS Brooklyn (CL-40) in Malta Harbor, each with a sailor escort. Later there were gifts and movies in hangar. Sailors left to right: SM1c JB Bulinkski, Y2c WJ Reysters, and PhMic RV Ingoglio tucking in napkin.” Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 80-G-207814. Original caption: “On Christmas Day, Santa Claus arrives aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6) in a dive bomber with six torpedo planes bearing names of his steeds, to distribute gifts. Lt. Louis L. Bangs (Air Group 10) plays the part. “Vexen” in background.” Date: December 5th, 1943

Photo ID: 80-G-207318. Original caption: “Galley scene Christmas morning on board the USS Brooklyn (CL-40) in Malta Harbor. C.C.S., C. Brown discussing turkey situation with Sgt. A.E. LoDuca (USMC).” Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 80-G-207819. Original caption: “Divine service on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) on Christmas Day. Catholic Midnight Mass: the chaplain is Rev. Felix Reitlingshofer, Lt., a Franciscan friar.” Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 80-G-209232. Original caption: “Celebrating Christmas Eve on board the USS Core (CVE-13) while at sea. Capt. James R. Dudley (USN) tries one of his birthday presents. Comdr. William K. Rhodes (USN, background) issues presents.” Date: December 24th, 1943

Photo ID: 80-G-362730. Original caption: “There wasn’t any fragrant pine or mistletoe or drifting snow, but the two blue-jackets pictured here were able to capture the Christmas spirit under the towering palms of this advanced Naval base at Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands. Standing behind the illuminated Christmas tree is EM3/c Werner Braun (USNR), while kneeling is Rdm2/c Robert Farrell (USNR).” Date: December 25th, 1944

Photo ID: 80-G-362728. Original caption: “Natives of Majuro Village Atoll, Marshall Islands, celebrate Christmas. Accepting native-made gifts on behalf of the men under his command, Captain Harold B. Grow (USNR), smiling expresses his appreciation.” Photographer: PhoM1/c BR Barrett. Date: December 25th, 1944

Photo ID: 80-G-207818. Original caption: “Merry Christmas!! That’s the greeting that Air Group 6, temporarily based aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6) during recent attacks on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands, sent their mother ship on Christmas Day.” Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 80-G-380927. Original caption: “Christmas night party, decorated tree, and presents aboard the USS Anzio (CVE-57).” Date: December 25th, 1944

Photo ID: 80-G-209233. Original caption: “Celebrating Christmas Eve on board the USS Core (CVE-13) while at sea. Officers and men join in singing Christmas carols in the wardroom. Left to right: PTR3c RW West; Lt. (jg) LA Luft Jr.; S2C RL Hudson; Lt. (jg) LB Schultz; Lt. (jg) ES Eichin; Ens. HNR Brookings; Chaplain TT Shea; S2c S. Schwartz; SK3c EG Knoll; AOM3c RC Cambell; Navy Technician R. Murphy.” Date: December 24th, 1943

Photo ID: 80-G-362725. Original caption: “Natives of Majuro Village Atoll, Marshall Islands, celebrate Christmas. This youthful atoll dweller of Majuro is entertaining his guests with a dance or two. Directly behind the smiling performer is Captain Harold B. Grow (USNR), Atoll Commander of Majuro.” Photographer: PhoM1/c BR Barrett. Date: December 25th, 1944

Photo ID: 80-G-207823. Original caption: “Following their Christmas Day dinner, officers and crew of USS Enterprise (CV-6) staged an impromptu entertainment on the hangar deck, with everyone invited. Here the Air Officer, Comdr. Thomas J. Hamilton (USN) addresses the spectators and delivers the Yuletide greeting from Capt. Mathias B. Gardner.” Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 80-G-372570. Original caption: “Christmas tree aboard the USS Takanis Bay (CVE089).” Date: December 25th, 1944

Record Group 111: Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer

Photo ID: 111-SC-167469. Original caption: “Christmas tree and Howitzers form the holiday theme of Battery C, 599th Field Artillery Battalion, Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Arkansas. “We guarantee Christmas spirit American style.” From left to right: Pvt. Lewis Cox, Pvt. Charles Dunnings, Cpl. Alfonso Swain, Pvt. Homer Lee Johnson, Pvt. Frank Black, Pvt. Alexander Jones, Sgt. Willie Wright, Pvt. Dumas E. Bennett, Pvt. Amos Smith, Pvt. Henry Bowman, Pvt. David Swayze, Pvt. John Coles, Pvt. Wesley Douglas, Sgt. Albert Sawyer.” Date: December 1943

Photo ID: 111-SC-377726. Original caption: “Outside of the “Church of Christian Endeavor” WAC Sgt. Nellie Ross and her brother, Pvt. Charles Ross, pause to wish Christmas greetings to three young Filipino children before going to services. This the first reunion for Nellie and Charles in over four years.” Photographer: T4 Jack Pfieffer. Date: December 25th, 1944

Photo ID: 111-SC-126776. Original caption: “Just before Santa Claus leaves his “jeep-sleigh” the guard of honor stands on each side presenting arms to the Christmas visitor. Camp Lee, Virginia, Quartermaster Replacement Center.” Photo by: Larry Williams. Date: December 1941

Photo ID: 111-SC-126777. Original caption: “Just before Santa Claus leaves his “jeep-sleigh” the guard of honor stands on each side presenting arms to the Christmas visitor. Camp Lee, Virginia, Quartermaster Replacement Center.” Photo by: Larry Williams. Date: December 1941

Photo ID: 111-SC-164146. Original caption: “Sgt. N.T. Vestuto shaving by his tent. Biskra, North Africa. Sgt. Vestuto is in the Medical Corps attached to the 301st Bomber Group.” Date: December 24th, 1942

Photo ID: 111-SC-198234. Original caption: “S/Sgt. John F. O’Brien of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while in a foxhole, decorates a Christmas tree with C ration can and tinsel dropped from U.S. planes, in the Monschau area, Germany. Tinfoil is dropped by American planes to interrupt the enemy radar system.” Photographer: Spangle. Date: December 23rd, 1944

Photo ID: 111-SC-198233. Original caption: “Soldiers with the 48th Field Hospital in Alsdorf, Germany, disply their letter for Santa Claus and their holiday cake. In the background are (left to right): Sgt. Reuben Shapiro (Brooklyn, New York); Pvt. Frits Mungay (Ozone Park, Long Island, New York); Pvt. Meyer J. Bernstein (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania); Pvt. Irving Neibert (Irvington, New Jersey); and Carl Bickford (Coudersport, Pennsylvania).” Date: December 23rd, 1944

Photo ID: 111-SC-164149. Original caption: “Christmas Day dinner in North Africa. They had turkey, cigarettes, oranges, and candy.” Photo by: Youkes Les Baines of the 49th Fighter Squadron. Date: December 25th, 1942

Photo ID: 111-SC-356037. Original caption: “Being only four, Donny F., orphaned by the Blitz, hasn’t ever seen a Christmas tree decorated with an abundance of peacetime trinkets. But Cpl. James H. Enicks (801 East Water Street, Greenville, Ohio) did his best when he decorated this tree. Donny’s smile when she saw it was reward enough. The occasion was an Christmas week party given by the staff of an American hospital in London.” Photo by: Schillinger (16th Station Hospital, London). Date: December 24th, 1943

Photo ID: 111-SC-166754. Original caption: “Lt. Irene Williams (Milwaukee, Wisconsin); Kathereen O’Doherty (San Antonio, Texas); Edith Rose (Prince Edward Island, Canada); and Opal Coffey (Humeston, Iowa) compare gifts received at the Christmas Eve gathering of nurses and officers at a hospital in Australia.” Photo by: 172nd Station Hospital, Indooroopilly, Australia. Date: December 25th, 1942

Photo ID: 111-SC-262132. Original caption: “Sgt. Edward F. Good of Minneapolis, Minnesota feeds his buddy, Pfc. Lloyd Deming of San Diego, California, a leg of Christmas turkey. Both are casualties at the 2nd Field Hospital, San Jose Mindoro, Philippine Islands.” Photographer: Pvt. Ben Gross. Date: December 25th, 1944

Photo ID: 111-SC-176868. Original caption: “Christmas day somewhere in England. Staff Sgt. William Steinbeck of New York, New York, passes out the cigars to the boys. Tomorrow though it might be K.P. [kitchen patrol/kitchen police], so watch out fellows….Men are members of Company C, 56th Signal Battalion, V Corps, stationed at Bristol, England.” Date: December 24th, 1942

Photo ID: 111-SC-199277. Original caption: “WACS bring Christmas gifts to patients in American hospital in Paris. Left to right: Sgt. Helen Miller (Portland, Indiana); Pfc. Hubert Taylor (Glenmary, Tennessee); T5 Clara Ellen Humer (Danville, Illinois); Pvt. John W. Bonnell; and WAC Pft. Marion Olson (Houston, Minnesota). The patient in bed is Sgt. Charles Sipe (646 Homeplace Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana).” Photo by: 48th General Hospital. Date: December 25th, 1944

Photo ID: 111-SC-262133. Original caption: “GIs eat a turkey Christmas dinner while other GIs wait in line for their chow, near the front lines on Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands.” Photographer: Pvt. Ben Gross. Date: December 25th, 1944

Photo ID: 111-SC-377725. Original caption: “Left to right: Pfc. Philip H. Dunbar (Worcester, Massachusetts) and Pvt. Si Gerson (New York City) giving Christmas candy to Filipino children in San Jose, Mindoro Island.” Photographer” Pvt. Ben Gross. Date: December 25th, 1944

Photo ID: 111-SC-199278. Original caption: “French orphans at a Christmas party given by a United States Army Hospital in Paris crowd around patient Sgt. Charles Sipe (646 Homeplace Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana). A good time was had by all.” Photo by: 48th General Hospital, Paris, France. Date: December 25th, 1944

Record Group 127: Records of the U.S. Marine Corps

Photo ID: 127-GW-1117-74821. Original caption: “Longing for home is Top Sgt. Tom Dameron as he looks at the Christmas tree his Company has put up. Bougainville.” Photographer: Sgt. R. Robbins. Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-N-68168. Original caption: “Marines leaving Bougainville. The first large element to depart.” Photographer: Sgt. V.M. Hanks. Date: December 25th, 1943.

Photo ID: 127-GW-908-73785. Original caption: “Christmas dinner on Guadalcanal after returning from Bougainville Campaign. Lt. Comdr. Fred E. Bradford (Los Angeles, CA), Major William M. Gilliam, and Major Martin Fenton (Mt. Kisco, New York.” Photographer: C.H. McClure. Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-GW-928-69515. Original caption: “Three champs in the So. Pac…Lt. Comdr. Gene Tunney (USNR) awards Pvt. Harvey Weiss (USMC, left) with the “Betty Garble” medal and Pvt. Morris Weiss (USMC, right) with the “Lana Turner” medal after they won their fights in the Armed Forces South Pacific Boxing Tournament. The Weiss boys are twin brothers and live at 1266 Holdstead Avenue, Bronx, New York. Guadalcanal, Solomon Island.” Photographer: Cpl. Poole. Date: December 24th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-GW-928-69516. Original caption: “Southern Pacific champs receive medals from ex-world champ: Receiving the “Greer Garson” medal from Lt. Comdr. Gene Tunney (USNR) for winning the championship in the South Pacific Armed Forces Boxing Tournament is Pvt. R. O’Briend (USMC). Other winners shown in the picture are J. Jeffers (USN, left) and Dell Sparr (USN, between O’Brien and Tunney). Guadalcanal, Solomon Island.” Photographer: Cpl. R.M. Cusack. Date; December 24th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-N-72376. Original caption: “Marines board LST on Christmas Day for Cape Gloucester. Oro Bay.” Photographer: Sylvester. Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-GW-1083-74819. Original caption: “Merry Christmas is the title of Chaplain Rabun’s sermon as he delivers it to the men of 1st Battalion, 9th Marines while standing under the sign Merry Christmas made by the 1st Battalion Marines. Bougainville.” Photographer: Sgt. R. Robbins. Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-GW-1083-74820. Original caption: “It is a Merry Christmas the Marines of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines have as Chaplain J.A. Rabun leads them in a prayer on Christmas Day. Bougainville.” Photographer: R. Robbins. Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-GW-1083-75398. Original caption: “Chaplain White conducting mass on front lines with the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines on Christmas Day. Bougainville.” Photographer: Cpl. W.G. Page. Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-N-68167. Original caption: “Marine artillery battery firing on distant Japanese target. Bougainville.” Photographer: Sgt. V.M. Hanks. Date: December 25th, 1943.

Photo ID: 127-N-69810. Original caption: “Christmas Eve on Bougainville was a Holy one. Here, Marines kneel in prayer in a cemetery, where their buddies who fell in combat are buried. Church services are held, following memorial service. In the background, Marines can be seen wondering among the graves, looking for their lost friends.” Photographer: Kettler. Date: December 24th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-N-71430. Original caption: “Marines leaving…Marines that landed on November 1 to establish a beachhead at Empress Augusta Bay march down a road hacked out of the jungle by SeaBees as they are relieved by Army forces. Many of them fought through this stretch of jungle to drive the Japanese back. Bougainville.” Photographer: Sgt. W.G. Wilson. Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-N-71432. Original caption: “By the roadside…by the side of a jungle road at Empress Augusta Bay, Marines, sailors, and soldiers gather for Mass that fills the tent chapel to overflowing. Bougainville.” Photographer: Sgt. W.G. Wilson. Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-N-72375. Original caption: “Christmas Eve…Marines, on the eve of the invasion of Cape Gloucester, attend Christmas church services on a SoPac island.” Photographer: Sylvester. Date: December 25th-26th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-N-73801. Original caption: “Christmas morning. MT/Sgt. Frank K. Psaute, Bandmaster (4125 Louisiana St., San Diego, CA), leads singing at Administration Section Chapel. Guadalcanal.” Photographer: Pfc. C.H. McClure. Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-N-73805. Original caption: “Marines listening to Chaplain Westwood preaching in and outside of the Chapel on Christmas morning. Guadalcanal.” Photographer: Pfc. C.H. McClure. Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 127-N-104420. Original caption: “Guadalcanal. With a Christmas tree, wreaths, and tent decoration laboriously constructed from palm fronds, Christmas cards and package wrappings, these Marines brought the Christmas atmosphere into their tent at this Pacific base. Front seated: Private First Class Leonard J. Virgili (22 years old, 1107 Corbin Street, Rockford, Illinois). Second row kneeling: Private First Class William R. Barkley (21 years old, 8329 Cregier Avenue, Chicago, Illinois); Corporal Robert L. Hill (22 years old, Route #1, Parkville, Missouri); Corporal Lonnie O. Counts Jr. (20 years old, 1200 Edgefield Avenue, Greenwood, South Carolina). Rear standing: Private First Class Clarence Janicki (24 years old, 3269 South Pine Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Photographer: Sgt. Hewitt. Date: December 24th, 1944

Record Group 342: Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-2359-74184AC. Original caption: “While still on alert duty, S/Sgt. J.A. Muller, Cpl. John W. Coleman, and Cpl. L.B. Thomas of the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, consume their Christmas dinner on the field at a base somewhere in China.” Photo by: 7th Photo Tech. Squadron, 8th Reconn. Group. Date: December 25th, 1942

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-5165-55568AC. Original caption: “This Christmas message from a 9th Air Service Command unit in Belgium, to be delivered by the 9th Air Force Republic P-47 Thunderbolt pilots doubling as Santa Clauses, portends a warm and noisy greeting for the section of the Reich receiving it. The message is inscribed on snow-coated high-explosive bombs.” Date: December 24th-25th, 1944

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-2360-74185AC. Original caption: “While still on alert duty, these men of the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, consume their Christmas dinner near the field at a base somewhere in China.” Photo by: 7th Photo Tech. Squadron, 8th Reconn. Group. Date: December 25th, 1942

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-45193. Original caption: “Christmas day baseball game 13th AAF vs 46th Signal Company. Umpire – Cpl. Will; Catcher – Pfc. Reuter; Batter – Cpl. Thuerer. War Theatre #23 – South Pacific.” Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-17906-73015AC. Original caption: “Midnight High Mass on Christmas Eve in the chapel at the 410th Bomb Group base in France.” Date: December 24th, 1944

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-5165-55673AC. Original caption: “More than 100 9th Air Force Martin B-26 Marauders, Christmas afternoon, dropped their bomb loads on the heart of St. Vith, Belgium, the important road junction and communications center captured by the Germans in their counter-offensive. Marauders, Havocs and Invaders bombed bridges, roads, towns, and strong-points. Christmas day in a part of a systematic plan to isolate German troops from their supply sources.” Date: December 25th, 1944

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-14616-71101AC. Original caption: “On 23 December 1944 British youngsters were guests of honor at a Christmas party given by enlisted men of the 379th Bomb Group at their club on an 8th Air Force base in England.” Date: December 23rd, 1944

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-14449-65542AC. Original caption: “The Christmas tree adds a festive note to the party given for British children by men of the 401st Bomb Group at an 8th Air Force base in England.” Date: December 25th, 1943

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-17858-70030AC. Original caption: “Santa Clause made an appearance at a Christmas party given by the American Red Cross for French children at the 386th Bomb Group base in Beaumont, France.” Date: December 25th, 1944

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-32915-67763AC. Original caption: “Men of the 38th Bomb Group attend a Catholic mass held on Christmas Day, 1942, in New Guinea.” Date: December 25th, 1942

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-14327-123806AC. Original caption: “Wishing to ensure the children of England a Merry Christmas, Cpl. Anthony Perez, of Los Angeles, utilizes his “off duty” hours by making dresses and other cloth toys. Serving as a parachute folder and repair man at his fighter-repair base, Cpl. Perez enjoys the company of some his little friends while he works on their gifts.” Date: December 1944

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-34904-62668AC. Original caption: “Banshee pilots with their Christmas present to Hirohito – a gaily decorated bomb attached to the wing of a 10th Air Force fighter plane. Burma.” Date: December 24th, 1944

Photo ID: 342-FH-3A-13656. Original caption: “An Eighth Air Force Bomber Station, England – Twas the night before Christmas….and on the day when the 8th Air Force sent more than 2000 heavy bombers to attack Nazi targets behind the lines in the campaign to slow up Rundstedt’s drive. Over the target – the marshaling yards at Darmstadt – flak caught a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress’ and a fragment ripped the bombardier’s leg. Here, wounded bombardier is being removed from the Flying Fortress.” Date: December 24th, 1944

All of the photographs included in this blog post are held and maintained by the NARA Still Picture unit. The images presented within this blog post are free of copyright restrictions and as such, the photographs may be used without permission. Should you wish to use any of the photos included here, we simply ask that the images are cited using our photo ID numbers. The following are examples of preferred credit lines:

National Archives photo no. 80-G-32500

Credit National Archives (photo no.  127-N-72376)

Courtesy National Archives, photo no. 342-FH-3A-14327-123806AC

National Archives (111-SC-202199)