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Raymond Banta World War II collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: S2512

Scope and Contents

This collection comprises photographs and publications from Raymond Banta before and during World War II ranging from circa 1938 to 1945. The photographs comprise numerous portraits of a young Raymond Banta, in casual army dress and in formal attire, as well as a scene with Banta and two other soldiers working in an office.

There are also publications and documents such as a small booklet entitled "Tips on Train Travel" with cartoon illustrations by Gluyas Williams; the July and August 1943 issues of The Signal Broadcaster, a monthly newsletter of the U.S. Signal Corps, which lists T/5 Ray Banta as editorial staff; and the July 6, 1945 issue of the Indiana Daily Student from Bloomington, Indiana, with the headline: "Today Is Ernie Pyle Day; State to Pause in Tribute." The newsaper contains articles and pictures about Ernie Pyle, World War II correspondent, and his movie Story of G.I. Joe.

A typed document entitled "Butaritari Island," which includes transcription of diary entries of a Japanese officer, is also included. The officer, the second-in-command at Makin (Butaritari) Island, was killed on December 14, 1943 and the diary came into the possession of a soldier in Company K, 165th Infantry, 27th Division and waas translated into English by a Japanese translator from the G-2 (Intelligence) Section of 27th Division.

Dates

  • circa 1938-1945

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Biographical Note

Raymond Banta was born on November 30, 1918, in Hopewell, Indiana. His father was William Jesse Banta. Ray had three brothers--Harold, Maurice, and Arnold--and three sisters--Mary, Nellie Myers, and Claire. Banta enlisted at Fort Benjamin Harrison on March 14, 1942 and served as a warrant officer during World War II. He died on January 30, 2012, at the age of 93.

Extent

0.02 Cubic Feet (2 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by subject.

Custodial History

This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Raymond Banta in April, 1978

Accruals

No further additions are expected.

Processing Information

Collection processing completed 2016/09/08 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield. EAD finding aid created 2016/09/08 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield. EAD finding aid revised 2016/09/30 by Brittany Kropf.
Title
Raymond Banta World War II collection
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671