John Arthur Shultz Papers, 1916-1978

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Shultz, John Arthur
Title
John Arthur Shultz Papers
Dates
1916-1978 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.5 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 217 (collection)
Summary
This collection includes biographical, military and civilian records of John Arthur Shultz. The majority of the collection focuses on Shultz's military career which spans from before WWII to after the Korean Conflict.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

John Arthur Shultz entered the U.S. Army 27 January 1928 under the name of James A. Wildair, when he was nineteen years old. Shultz served in various capacities during his military service. His primary duties were as a Medical Records Specialist. He was sent overseas during World War II to serve in the Asiatic-Pacific theater of operations. Corporal Shultz participated in various battles and campaigns as a Light Mortar Crewman Section Chief. Sergeant Shultz spent two years (1946-1948) in the European Theater of Operations in Augsburg, Germany. During the Korean Conflict he served as a Master Sergeant (Temporary) in Medical Records in Korea. Shultz was honorably discharged from active duty and retired 1 November 1960.

Shultz was awarded the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal with Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars for participation in the New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Ryukyu Campaigns. He was also awarded the Meritorious Unit Emblem, Philippine Liberation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany and Japan Clasps, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal.

In retirement, Mr. Shultz remained aware of the issues of the times, locally and nationally. He sent numerous letters and telegrams to public officials on issues from banning smoking on the Lancaster city buses to suggesting President Johnson and Ho Chi Minh meet to end the Vietnam War. At the age of fifty-seven, he attempted unsuccessfully to re-enlist to serve in Vietnam.

Shultz was married to Josephine Shultz and had three children, James Wildair, Amalie Marie, and Victorie Belle. John and Josephine divorced in 1976.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection includes biographical, military and civilian records of John Arthur Shultz. The majority of the collection centers around Shultz's military career which spans from before WWII to after the Korean Conflict. Shultz was stationed overseas for most of his military career. The collection includes military correspondences, entertainment that Shultz partook while overseas, medical history and various patches and awards. Other WWII memorabilia includes a Hawaiian guidebook, language guides from various Asian countries, and a Restricted Prisoner of War Guidebook of protocol when captured by the enemy.

The collection also includes information about Shultz's family of wife, Josephine, and children, James Wildair, Amalie Marie and Victorie Belle. WW II ration books that belonged to the family are included.

General correspondence is included in the collection. Much of the correspondence is with public officials, both national and local, in which Shultz took an interest in the issues concerning them. There are letters to Barry Goldwater, John F. Kennedy, and J.W. Fulbright to name a few.

The pictures that are included in the collection are of Shultz himself, his children and in the Hawaiian guidebook.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

John Arthur Shultz Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is divided into four series:

Series I: Biographical, 6 folders, 1916-1981

Series II: Military, 5 folders, 1928-1977

Series III: World War II, 4 folders, 1941-1945

Series IV: General Correspondence, 3 folders, 1954-1978

Custodial History

The collection was originally given to the University of Montana School of Journalism on an unknown date.

Acquisition Information

Transferred from the University of Montana School of Journalism, 1983.

Processing Note

The actions of the original processors are unknown. In 1998, the collection was re-processed.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Biographical , 1916-1981Return to Top

6 folders

This series consists of biographical information of John A. Shultz and his family. This series includes employment history, Shultz's high school publications, legal documents, medical history and various memberships Shultz was involved with. The series also contains information on the Shultz children including pictures and dates of birth. Shultz's divorce decree with his wife Josephine is also included in the legal documents.

The series is arranged alphabetically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Employment
1/2
Family History
1/3
High School Publications
1/4
Legal Documents
1/5
Medical History
1/6
Memberships

Series II:  Military , 1928-1977Return to Top

5 folders

This series includes a biographical history of John A. Shultz and military identification cards from his various posts in his military career. Shultz's various interests are also documented in this series, which includes hunting and fishing licences in Germany and social functions within the military. Shultz's military correspondence is included within the series, which spans the dates 1929 to 1977. Many medical correspondences, as well as granted furloughs, are included. A Hawaiian Guidebook, issued in 1927, is included in the series, and has pictures and things for military men to do while stationed on the islands. Shultz has personal notes in the margins of this book. This series also includes a retirement certificate. The box also includes Shultz's metals and awards that he received while in the military. His dogtags are in the folder.

This series is arranged alphabetically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/7
Biographical History
1/8
Entertainment Overseas
1/9
Military Correspondences
1929-1947
1/10
Military Correspondences
1948-1977
1/11
Hawaiian Guidebook
2/1
Patches and Decorations
2/2
Army Retirement Certificate

Series III:  World War II , 1941-1945Return to Top

4 folders

This series includes various memorabilia from World War II. A Restricted Prisoner of War Guidebook is in the series, and details the protocol necessary in the event a soldier ever fell into enemy hands. Shultz's languages guides of Japanese and Cantonese are included, which were issued from the War Department. A Japanese propaganda pamphlet is included which the Japanese dropped from the planes.

Shultz's family ration books are also included in the series. There are four stamps still left in his wife's ration book.

This series is arranged alphabetically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/12
Restricted Prisoner of War Guidebook
1/13
Language Guides
1/14
Japanese Propaganda
1/15
United States Ration Books

Series IV:  General Correspondences , 1954-1978Return to Top

3 folders

This series consists of correspondences between Shultz and various public officials, including Barry Goldwater, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and various Speakers of the House. Correspondence with many local politicians from his home state of Pennsylvania is also included. Shultz concerned himself with many issues and expressed his views in this correspondence. An autographed letter from John F. Kennedy to Shultz's daughter Amalie is also included in this series.

This series is arranged chronologically.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/16
1954-1966
1/17
1966-1978
1/18
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Korean War, 1950-1953--Veterans--Montana
  • Medical record personnel--United States
  • Soldiers--United States
  • Veterans--Montana
  • World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Montana

Personal Names

  • Fulbright, J. William (James William), 1905--Correspondence
  • Goldwater, Barry M. (Barry Morris), 1909--Correspondence
  • Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963--Correspondence
  • Shultz, John Arthur--Family

Corporate Names

  • United States. Army

Family Names

  • Shultz family