Among hundreds of thousands of captions, just a handful proclaim Sgt. Irene Marquardt’s position as the “only Wac photographer" in the European Theater of Operations. A colleague had asked if we knew how many women photographers are represented in the holdings of the Still Picture Branch.
Original Caption: "Pfc. Omer Pelletier, 31392497, Lowell, Massachusetts, Quartermaster Corps, Camp Lee, Virginia, and his dog "Snooks" are shown entertaining at the Valentine Party held for the Port personnel and their guests at the Port Gymnasium, HPE, Newport News, Virginia. Official photograph U.S. Army Signal Corps, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, Newport News, Virginia. February … Continue reading Happy Valentine’s Day From the Still Picture Branch
Matthew Henson was an African American explorer most known for accompanying Robert Peary on multiple expeditions to the Arctic, and in 1909 they claimed to be the first team to reach the North Pole. It has been long debated whether or not Peary and Henson actually reached the North Pole - there was even a … Continue reading Spotlight: Matthew Henson, Explorer
This post was created in collaboration with Sarah Bseirani, Archivist, and Hilda Gitchell, Archives Technician, in the Still Picture Branch. Former President Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia at the age of 100. At the time of his passing, President Carter was the longest-lived president in U.S. … Continue reading Remembering President Jimmy Carter
In 1945, the U.S. Government faced low morale and growing frustration over undelivered mail amongst those serving in Europe. It was decided the large backlog of undistributed mail would be dealt with by the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. The battalion, nicknamed the “Six-Triple Eight," was a multi-ethnic unit of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) comprised … Continue reading The Six Triple Eight Link Roundup
Original Caption: Meeting in Paris after a two-year separation, Lt. Col. Barney Oldfield and his wife, Cpl. Vada M. Oldfield, initiate their reunion by signing each other’s “short snorters” in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. The Oldfields come from Lincoln, Nebraska. France, 7/20/45. Local Identifier: 111-SC-210020. Going to war is never easy. Going to … Continue reading Short Snorts, Long Legacies: The World War II Club of the “Short Snorters”
Being the week of Thanksgiving, this time of year is usually all about pie. But National Cake Day sneaks in on November 26! To honor the delicious treat during a time when it may be overshadowed by its flaky-crust cousins, please enjoy this collection of images from the Still Picture Branch holdings of tasty cakes. … Continue reading Life’s Batter with Cake: Celebrating National Cake Day with the Still Picture Branch
From Rocket Belts to Air Cars, the National Archives and Records Administration holds many records related to the tests and demonstrations of the US Military's various experimental vehicles throughout the decades. Here in the Still Picture Branch, we have photographs showing the early adoption of new technologies like the Jet Pack and the Aerocycle, which were driven by the unique needs of military transportation at the time they were developed.
Sinking of the SS [President] Coolidge. October 26, 1942. Local ID: 80-G-36993 This October 26, 2024 marks the 82nd anniversary of the sinking of the SS President Coolidge. On October 26, 1942, the ship attempted to enter the harbor of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. However, as the ship entered the largest channel, it struck an American … Continue reading The Sinking of the SS President Coolidge
Over the course of 78 years, more than 500 million people have seen the Blue Angels perform at air shows around the world and have witnessed the power and grace of some of the US Navy’s aircraft. The vision to establish a Naval flight exhibition team came in 1946 from the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Chester Nimitz, with hopes of boosting Navy morale and demonstrating Naval air superiority. Within a year, the team began flying its famous diamond formation that is still used to this day.
