John Robert Knoderer Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 000092

Scope and Contents

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The John Robert Knoderer Collection contains various materials related to Knoderer's service in the Dental Corps with the 11th Airborne Division. Included in the collection are various photographs, Knoderer’s report of separation and silver star citation, an 11th Airborne photobook, a greeting card, and two personal scrapbooks. The scrapbooks contain photographs of Knoderer and his wife, Jessie Phyllis Knoderer; clippings pertaining to the Knoderers, their wedding, and the war; V-Mail letters; and various pieces of war ephemera.

The collection contains John Knoderer’s report of separation and honorable discharge, and the general orders awarding him the Silver Star medal. The collection also includes a portrait photograph of John Knoderer, as well as several small photographs and negatives of servicemen and temporary military structures in the Philippines. The photobook contains group photographs of the units of the 11th Airborne Division and several photographs of Camp Mackall, North Carolina, and servicemen performing their duties, playing sports, and dancing.

The loose scrapbook contains photographs of the Knoderers and dozens of photographs from John Knoderer's service in the Philippines and the occupation of Japan. The photographs depict buildings, people, aircraft, paratroopers, and bombing damage. The bound scrapbook contains clippings pertaining to Jessie and John Knoderer and their family; clippings regarding the war in general; Australian, Filipino, and Japanese banknotes; cards; programs; magazines; and various paper ephemera. A Japanese rail ticket and a greeting card were also contained loosely in between pages of the scrapbook.

Dates

Creation: 1942 - 1946

Creator

Knoderer, John Robert, 1917-1994 (Person)
Knoderer, Jessie Phyllis Blickensderfer, 1915-2003 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection in any form must be obtained from the National Museum of the Pacific War, Center for Pacific War Studies.

Biographical / Historical

Major John Robert Knoderer was a Dental Corps officer in the 11th Airborne Division of the United States Army during World War II. He served in the Philippines and in Japan during the American Occupation. He was awarded the Silver Star medal on February 19, 1945, for his service in Luzon, Philippines. Knoderer continued his dental practice after the war and was an instructor of dentistry at Ohio State University. He married Jessie Phyllis Blickensderfer in Hot Springs, Arkansas on August 26, 1942.

Full Extent

.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Phyllis Knoderer Rerko donated these materials to the Texas Historical Commission in 2017 (Accession number 2017.082)

Separated Materials

3D artifacts have been separated from this collection, including 2 garrison caps; 1 khaki uniform shirt; 1 khaki trousers; 1 khaki web belt; 1 OD wool tie; 1 Ike jacket with insignias; 1 pair paratrooper boots; 1 horn shot flask; 1 packet of shot; 1 pair of dog tags; 2 Army Dental Corps insignia; 1 silver star medal; 1 machete and sheath; and 1 framed Japanese signature flag. Contact the archivist for further information.