Herman J. Simler papers, 1944-1999, Date acquired: 01/23/1998
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Simler, Richard A.
- Extent:
- 5.00 folders
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], Herman J. Simler papers, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_98_0104.
Background
- Scope and content:
This collection includes photographs and documents pertaining to aerial operations over Europe during World War II. Lt. Herman Simler flew over 30 bombing missions over Europe during his service. The squadrons specified in this collection are the 8th Army Air Force, the 15th Army Air Force, and the 716th-719th bomber squadrons.
- Biographical / historical:
Herman J. Simler was born in Passaic, New Jersey on April 8, 1918. He began his service in the Army Air Force on August 30, 1943. He worked first as a crew member and eventually as a pilot for a B-29 bomber plane. He was a part of the 15th Air Force, 449th Bombardment Group. He spent some of his service in China, but saw most of his action in the European Theater. He was captured and placed in a POW camp in December of 1943 after he and some crew members parachuted from a shot down B-17. He was placed in Stalag Luft III in Southeast Germany (now Poland). The camp was liberated by American and Allied forces in June of 1945. He was a POW for over a year. His service ended January 14, 1947 and he passed away on March 18, 1972 in Manhasset, New York. He is buried in Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.
- Acquisition information:
Richard A. Simler (son)
Donated.
- Custodial history:
Transferred from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to FSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives in July 2022.
- Processing information:
Entered on 06/28/17.
- Arrangement:
Creator.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945--Germany
Prisoners of war--Germany--History--20th century
B-29 (Bomber)
B-24 (Bomber)
B-17 bomber
World War, 1939-1945--Missing in action--United States
United States. Army Air Forces. Bomb Group, 449th
Long Island National Cemetery - Names:
- United States. Army Air Forces. Air Force, 8th
Stalag Luft III
Stalag Luft I
United States. Army Air Forces. Air Force, 15th - Places:
- Fort Worth (Tex.)
Yugoslavia.
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], Herman J. Simler papers, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_98_0104.
- Location of this collection:
-
116 Honors WayTallahasseeFL32306-2047USA