Alvin P. Yorkunas papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-2008-16

No requestable containers
Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Yorkunas collection consists of correspondence, personal journals, military documents, postcards, photographs, artwork, printed ephemera, and realia. The bulk of the collection relates to Alvin P. Yorkunas' service in the Army Air Forces during WWII (1942-1946) and with the Air Force's Strategic Air Command (1951-1954). Materials relating to his pre-war and post-war life in Tampa, Florida are also present. The heart of the collection consists of approximately 650 letters written by Yorkunas to his wife Mary during World War II and a 115-page illustrated daily journal Yorkunas kept while stationed in Saipan and Guam from October, 1944 to March, 1945.

Dates

Created: 1936-2008
Other: Majority of material found in 1936-1955
Other: Date acquired: 02/06/2008

Creator

Yorkunas, Alvin P. (1917-1994) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The contents of this collection may be subject to copyright. Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov for more information.

Biographical or Historical Information

Alvin Peter Yorkunas Sr. was born on September 4, 1917 in Kingston, Pennsylvania. His parents were Lithuanian immigrants who anglicized the spelling of their surname from Jarkunas to Yorkunas after arriving in the United States. Alvin's family moved to Youngstown, Ohio around 1923. He attended Youngstown's South High School where he was a star player on the school's football team. When he graduated from South High in 1935 both Ohio State University (OSU) and the University of Tampa (UT) offered him full football scholarships. Attracted by the ambiance of the new Tampa school (established 1933) and the fact that several of his friends were already students there, Yorkunas accepted the offer to play for the UT Spartans. Shortly after arriving on campus he met Mary Ann Sampey, an attractive classmate working towards a degree in education. Mary Ann was born November 14, 1917, the daughter of Elmer B. and Mary B. Sampey of Tampa. Al and Mary Ann began dating and soon formed a close relationship that culminated in their marriage on June 29, 1940. "Alvin P. Yorkunas, 77, businessman." The Tampa Tribune, Plant City Sec. 12/12/1994, p.2. "Yorkunas, Alvin Peter." The St. Petersburg Times, Hillsborough Obituaries, 12/13/1994, p. 9B.

Note written by MPY, 2009

Extent

9.5 Linear Feet

16 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of the personal papers, artwork, and correspondence of Alvin P. Yorkunas.

Arrangement Note

Materials are arranged into series based on chronology and type.

Source of Acquisition

Alvin P. Yorkunas

Method of Acquisition

The library purchased the letters comprising Alvin P. Yorkunas’ World War II correspondence and approximately 117 of his drawings, cartoons and other illustrations from Charles Apfelbaum Rare Manuscripts & Archives of Watchung, New Jersey on November 5, 2002. The remaining portion of the collection, consisting of illustrated daily journals, military records, artwork, photographs, and other materials, was purchased from Alvin Peter Yorkunas, Jr. on February 6, 2008.