FLVC logo

James H. Vander Laan papers, 1942-1953, Date acquired: 08/08/2001

 

Summary

Creator:
Vander Laan, James H.
Extent:
1.00 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], James H. Vander Laan papers, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_01_0346.

Background

Scope and content:

This World War II collection relates to Sgt. James H. Vander Laan, who served in the United States Army Air Force and was assigned to the 511th bomber squadron in the 351st Bombardment Group. During his service, he trained as a ball-turret gunner and radio operator on a B-17 bomber. The collection consists of documents, letters, photographs, and memorabilia. The documents detail where James H. VanderLaan was stationed, inducted and discharged from service. The letters from James H. Vander Laan are addressed from Germany during his time as a Prisoner of War and are dated from November 7, 1943-November 5, 1944. The photographs are of James H. Vander Laan with his wife Marion Madeley and a photograph portrait of James H. Vander Laan. The memorabilia in the collection consist of newspaper clippings of James H. Vander Laan's capture and release and book clippings from Stalag 17B.

Biographical / historical:

James H. Vander Laan was born in Hudsonville, Michigan on February 3, 1913. He served as an aerial gunner during World War II with the 351st bomber group, 511th bomber squadron from May 19, 1942 to November 6, 1945. Vander Laan was stationed initially in Las Vegas, Nevada for gunnery school and then to Spokane, Washington with the 511th squadron. The 351st Bombardment Group flew bombing missions over Europe, primarily Germany and Vander Laan worked as a ball gunner and radio operator. Vander Laan's B-17 was shot down over Anklem, Germany on October 9, 1943, and he became a prisoner of war at Stalag 17B in Krems, Austria. The camp was liberated in April 1945 during which time James H. Vander Laan received these medals/ribbons: American Theater Ribbon, EAME Ribbon with bronze star, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with three bronze clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Prisoner of War medal. James H. Vander Laan discharged in San Antonio, Texas on November 6, 1945, and passed away in Hudsonville, Michigan on July 12, 1995.

Acquisition information:

Marion R. Vander Laan

Donated

Custodial history:

Transferred from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to FSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives in July 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open to all researchers.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], James H. Vander Laan papers, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_01_0346.

Location of this collection:
116 Honors Way
Tallahassee
FL
32306-2047
USA