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John Stavast in uniform at a "welcome home" ceremony [1973]

Veterans History Project Service Summary:

  • War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975; Cold War; World War, 1939-1945
  • Branch of Service: Army Air Forces/Corps; Air Force
  • Unit of Service: Air Training Command; 18th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron; 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron; Company A, 117th Infantry Regiment; 407th Bomb Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group, 40th Bomb Wing; Headquarters, Tactical Air Command; 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
  • Location of Service: England; France; Germany; European Theater; Langley Air Force Base, Virginia; Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama; Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand; South Vietnam; Hanoi, North Vietnam; Japan; France; Alabama; Reese Air Force Base, Texas; Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas
  • Highest Rank: Colonel; Sergeant
  • Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/101797

View full service history

"Dear one, upon return to my own home, I will certainly make all efforts towards making you as happy as possible, and that will be my happiness." (Letter to Shirley Stavast, 27 November 1972)

Colonel John Edward Stavast was serving as a pilot with the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in Vietnam when he was shot down in 1967. He served the next six years as a prisoner of war interned at the infamous Hỏa Lò Prison, otherwise known as the “Hanoi Hilton.” His vast collection includes original manuscript materials (written on salvaged paper) that he created while in captivity; photographs of the “welcome home” celebration held Claremont, California after his liberation in 1973; two reports he wrote on his family’s and his own experiences during his time as a POW; and voluminous personal correspondence, including a handful of letters that Stavast sent to his wife while he was incarcerated.

More Resources

[ Photo Album ]
[ Article for publication, "Air Force Support for the MIA/POW Family" by John E. Stavast [1/28/1975] ]
[ Report No. 5433, "Problems of Command in a Prisoner of War Situation, or Lancer to Charlie, Charlie" by John E. Stavast [2/1974] ]
[ Letter from Brigadier General George E. McCord to Shirley Savast reporting her husband MIA [9/17/1967] ]
[ Letter from Major Joseph M. Carleton to Shirley Savast reporting on possible i.d. of her husband as a POW [7/18/1969] ]
[ Letter from Lt. Col. A. W. Gratch reporting John Stavast as a POW [4/14/1970] ]

Show more resources (217)

[ Letter from Albert J. Spencer, Asst. Chief, Personal Affairs Section, to Shirley Stavast concerning an FBI investigation into a communist front group in the United States [10/14/1970] ]
[ Letter from Lt. Col. A. W. Gratch providing Shirley Stavas with photos believed to be of her husband in a POW camp [11/17/1970] ]
[ Letter from Lt. Col. A. W. Gratch providing Shirley Stavas with a letter from her husband [4/16/1971] ]
[ Letter from Col. J. G. Luther to Shirley Stavast advising her of her husband's promotion to Lt. Col. [6/21/1971] ]
[ Letter from Lt. Col. A. W. Gratch to Shirley Stavast, Re.: a valentine believed to be from her husband [6/21/1972] ]
[ Letter from Lt. Col. A. W. Gratch to Shirley Stavast congratulating her on her husband's repatriation [3/14/1973] ]
[ Letter from Lt. Gen. Charles Carson, Jr., to Col. John E. Stavast congratulating him on his promotion to Colonel. [9/13/1974] ]
[ Copy of letter from the Committee of Liason with Families of Servicemen detained in Vietnam, included with a packet of letters from John E. Stavast [5/13/1972] ]
[ Letter from the Committee of Liason with Families of Servicemen detained in Vietnam [5/30/1972] ]
[ Letter from Sgt. Stilt to the family of POW's [12/2/1970] ]
[ Letter from Shirley Stavast to John Stavast, written on the reverse of an official letter notifying her of his promotion to Lt. Col. [10/18/1971] ]
[ POW mail from John E. Stavast to Shirley Stavast [1/5/1972] ]
[ POW mail from John E. Stavast to Shirley Stavast [1/21/1972] ]
[ POW mail from John E. Stavast to Shirley Stavast [11/27/1972] ]
[ Postcard from John E. Stavast to "Mom and Dad" [3/14/1973] ]
[ Postcard from John E. Stavast to "Folks" [3/14/1973] ]
[ Postcard to "Dearest" from John E. Stavast [3/17/1973] ]
[ Valentine Card from John E. Stavast ["by proxy"] to Shirley Stavast [n.d. ]
[ Copy of POW letter from John E. Stavast to Shirley Stavast [4/1/1972] ]
[ Copy of POW letter from John E. Stavast to Shirley Stavast [4/27/1972] ]
[ Letter from "Jamie" to Shirley Stavast [2/24/1973] ]
[ Letter from John Stavast to Friends [n.d.] ]
[ Christmas card from President Nixon and Mrs. Nixon ]
[ Letter from President Nixon to John Stavast [3/17/1973] ]
[ Letter from General W. C. Westmoreland to John E. Stavast [4/5/1973] ]
[ Letter and certificate from the Architect of the Capitol accompanying a flag that flew over the Capitol [4/9/1973] ]
[ Letter from Sen. James Buckley of New York to John Stavast [4/13/1973] ]
[ Letter from "The Freedom Tree Committee" to John and Shirley Stavast [4/17/1973] ]
[ Letter from Comfort Shaw, Secretary of the Senate to John Stavast [5/10/1973] ]
[ Letter from Bowie Kuhn, baseball commissioner, to John Stavast awarding him a lifetime pass to all ballparks [5/11/1973] ]
[ Letter from Jess Laas, Chairman of the Board of the National Bank of Fort Sam Houston, to John Stavast [5/15/1973] ]
[ Letter from President Nixon to John and Shirley Stavast [10/18/1973] ]
[ Letter from Vice-President Gerald Ford to John and Shirley Stavast [10/25/1973] ]
[ Letter from the Diabled American Veterans Association to John E. Stavast [[n.d.] ]
[ Letter from Shirley French to John Stavast [3/19/1973] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child with photo of child, to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from an elementary school child to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from Robert Markie to John Stavast [11/4/1980] ]
[ Letter from Austin and Travis County Veterans Day Committee [10/15/1980] ]
[ Letter from Senator Lloyd Bentsen to John Stavast [9/11/1980] ]
[ Letter from SSgt. W. E. Hetzel to Col. J. E. Stavast [9/1/1980] ]
[ Letter from Senator Lloyd Bentsen to John Stavast [8/20/1980] ]
[ Letter from D. E. Edson to John Stavast [8/11/1980] ]
[ Letter from Senator John Tower to John Stavast [8/1/1980] ]
[ Letter from Congressman J. J. Pickle to John Stavast [7/29/1980] ]
[ Letter from Ron Werner thanking John Stavast for agreeing to judge a barbecue cook-off [7/21/1980] ]
[ Letter from Tom Piper to John Stavast [7/2/1980] ]
[ Letter from Rowland and Martha Persons to John and Shirley Stavast [6/13/1980] ]
[ Invitation to the 7th annual 560th Flying Training Squadron "Dining-In" [6/1/1980 ]
[ Invitation to a reception following the retirement of John Stavast [5/30/1980] ]
[ Congratulations on retirement from Col. Thomas L. Craig to John Stavast [5/30/1980] ]
[ Letter from Congressman J. J. Pickle to John Stavast [5/28/1980] ]
[ Program for the dedication of the Vietnam War Memorial in Austin, TX [5/26/1980] ]
[ Letter from "Grady" [?] to Mr. and Mrs. Stavast [5/25/1980] ]
[ Letter of appreciation from Commander William S. Sterling to John Stavast [5/19/1980] ]
[ Letter from Crosby [?] to Mr. and Mrs. Stavast [5/9/1980] ]
[ Letter from Senator Lloyd Bentsen to John Stavast [10/1/1979] ]
[ Letter from Lee Phillips to John Stavast [2/18/1976] ]
[ Letter from Col. Frank Malone to John Stavast [6/18/1975] ]
[ Letter from Gov. Ronald Reagan to John Stavast [6/12/1975] ]
[ Letter from John Stavast to Mr. James W. Meece, Sr. [6/8/1991] ]
[ Letter from John Stavast to MSgt. Harry Prosperi [6/6/1991] ]
[ Letter from John Stavast to Congressman J. J. Pickle [6/6/1991] ]
[ Letter from John Stavast to Ken Thomas [5/12/1991] ]
[ Letter from John Stavast to Mrs. Paul Smith [5/13/1991] ]
[ Letter from John Stavast to Mr. Bob Kirkby [4/21/1991] ]
[ Letter from John Stavast to Captain Rob Doremus [n.d.] ]
[ Letter to from John Stavast to Carl Larsen, Re.: where to find a good tamale ]
[ Letter from John Stavast to Spike Nasmyth [5/1/1990] ]
[ Email from Bob Barnett to Kathy Mann, Re.: John Stavast [12/13/2015] ]
[ Christmas card from "Mother" with names and addresses of other POW's ]
[ Greeting card from Shirley Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from elementary school students "Cecilia" and "Sherry" [3/19/1973] ]
[ Homemade card from "Sherry" and "Cecilia" with photos of students, their school, teacher, and principal [1973] ]
[ Drawing depicting the release and repatriation of American POWs in Vietnam, "Com on. We're going home." by McCaffrey [1973] ]
[ Drawing depicting the repatriation of American POWs in Vietnam, "Leaving Clark AB, Phillipines" by McCaffrey [1973] ]
[ Drawing depicting an American POW in Vietnam, "In His Country's Service" by McCaffrey [1964-1970?] ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Mission flight map ]
[ Newsclipping: "David Goldfein Selected." ]
[ New Year's Greeting Card ]
[ Letter to editor and memoir concerning the dropping of the atomic bomb in 1945 [8/14/1984] ]
[ "Humor in Uniform" story by John E. Stavast for the Reader's Digest [3/9/1990] ]
[ Biographical information ]
[ Letter from Congressman J.J. Pickle to John Stavast [7/19/1983] ]
[ Letter from Col. Robert W. Barnett to John Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Newsclipping from Jet Gazette [7/26/1985]: "Former prisoner speaks at POW/MIA Ceremony." ]
[ Letter from "John" to John E. Stavast [3/20/1995] ]
[ Letter from Browning Ware to John E. Stavast [6/22/1993] ]
[ Newsletter for the Order of Daedalians [3/6/1995] ]
[ Letter, with photos and map, from The Highland Lakes Chapter of the Retired Officers Association" [2/28/1995] ]
[ Letter from Otto Steinhauser to John E. Savast [4/21/1991] ]
[ Letter from Bob Kirkby to John E. Stavast [4/12/1991] ]
[ Letter from Gregory Seidenberger to [9/1/1990] ]
[ Invitation to a change of command ceremony [9/1990] ]
[ Letter from John G. Becker to John E. Stavast [9/1990] ]
[ Letter from Theresa Komandosky thanking John E. Stavast for accepting an invitation to judge a barbecue cook-off [8/1/1990] ]
[ Letter from Mickey Reeter (?) to John E. Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from Craig Nemec to John E. Stavast [6/22/1990] ]
[ Invitation to a departure ceremony for Captain Robert E. Mitchell [3/1/1990] ]
[ Letter from Joe Dale Morris of the Austin Steam Train Association to John E. Stavast [2/15/1990] ]
[ Letter from J. Vaughn Brock to John E. Stavast [2/14/1990] ]
[ Invitation to a reception honoring Col. Charles E. Loflin [1/16/1990] ]
[ Invitation to a change of command ceremony [1/1990] ]
[ Card from Ronnie K. Morrow [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from James J. Kaster to John E. Stavast [11/8/1989] ]
[ Letter from C. L. "Jack" Jones to John E. Stavast [10/1990] ]
[ Letter from Herbert F. Meyer to John E. Stavast [2/10/1989] ]
[ Letter from "Ted" to John E. Stavast [9/19/1989] ]
[ Letter from Steven V. Willoughby to John E. Stavast [10/16/1990] ]
[ Letter from W. O. Dwiggins to John E. Stavast [9/19/1990] ]
[ Letter from "Fred" to John E. Stavast [7/5/1989] ]
[ Letter from Dan A. Starling, Jr., to John E. Stavast [9/15/1989] ]
[ Letter from "Jerry" to John E. Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from William J. Ehrie to John E. Stavast [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from Michael W. Ensrude to John E. Stavast [3/17/1989] ]
[ Letter from Charles M. Bowles to John E. Stavast [3/15/1989] ]
[ Letter from Daniel L. Wollam to John E. Stavast [1/17/1989] ]
[ Program for Sheppard's POW/MIA Recognition Day Luncheon [9/15/1989] ]
[ Program for AFA Salute to Former POWs dinner [8/27/1989] ]
[ Letter from Bob Roberts thanking John E. Stavast for accepting an invitation to judge a barbecue cook-off [8/1/1989] ]
[ Letter from S. K. Smith to John E. Stavast [6/7/1989] ]
[ Letter from Dan H. Davidson to John E. Stavast [11/9/1988] ]
[ Letter from Steven T. Lente to Colonel John Stavast [11/7/1988] ]
[ Letter from Johnny Fender to John E. Stavast [10/31/1988] ]
[ Letter from John Russell to John E. Stavast [8/29/1988] ]
[ Letter from Charles E. Loflin to John E. Stavast [7/29/1988] ]
[ Letter from Ronald G. Swanson to John E. Stavast [1/7/1987] ]
[ Letter from Daniel Zucker to John E. Stavast, containing list of vocabulary used in "tap code" by POWs in Vietnam [11/10/1987] ]
[ Invitation to "River Ranch Roundup" [11/1/1987] ]
[ Letter from Woody Magness to John E. Stavast [7/11/1987] ]
[ Letter from S. T. Eidson to John E. Stavast [5/12/1987] ]
[ Letter from Earl D. Riley to John E. Stavast [3/7/1987] ]
[ Letter from Colleen Richards to John E. Stavast [3/1/1987] ]
[ Letter from O. R. Crawford to John E. Stavast [11/5/1986] ]
[ Letter from Clyde East to John E. Stavast [10/19/1986] ]
[ Newsletter of Travis American Legion Post Number 76 [10/1986] ]
[ Letter from Kelly Ausley to John E. Stavast [10/6/1986] ]
[ Letter from Ron Turner to John E. Stavast [9/16/1986] ]
[ Newsletter for the Patrick Henry Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution [8/1986] ]
[ Postcard from Mattie [?] and Robert Springer [8/14/1984] ]
[ Letter from W. E. Tinsley to John E. Stavast [7/24/1986] ]
[ Letter from John R. Vick to John E. Stavast [7/22/1986] ]
[ Letter from Stanley DeGruccio to John E. Stavast [3/18/1986] ]
[ Letter from O. R. Crawford to John E. Stavast [1/17/1986] ]
[ Note from the family of Nat Henderson [3/10/1986] ]
[ Note from Michael Minihan thanking Stavast for assisting him with his application to the Air Force Academy [6/1985] ]
[ Letter from Jack Baggett to John E. Stavast [5/28/1985] ]
[ Signed greeting card [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from "Joyce" to John and Shirley Stavast [5/4/1980] ]
[ Biographical information ]
[ Letter from Texas Gov. William Clements, Jr., to John Stavast [9/14/1981] ]
[ Letter from Sec. of State Alexander Haig to John Stavast [7/31/1981] ]
[ Postcard from the Department of Defense [7/6/1981] ]
[ Note from Ronald Reagan thanking John Stavast for his get-well message [5/1981] ]
[ Program for the 560th FTS annual "Dining In" ]
[ Letter from Dick Richards, chair of the RNC [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from Bill Brock, chair of the RNC [n.d.] ]
[ Letter from Austin, Texas, Chamber of Commerce [2/17/1981] ]
[ Letter from E. T. Matthys to John E. Stavast [1/5/1981] ]
[ Program for the 560th FTS annual "Dining In" [1981] ]
[ Letter from Sen. John Heinz to John E. Stavast [1/5/1981] ]
[ Letter from Texas State Senator Lloyd Doggett to John E. Stavast [12/30/1980] ]
[ Letter from Bill Brock, chair of the RNC [11/17/1980] ]
[ Letter from Dan Burkeen, chair of Young Conservatives of Texas [11/14/1980] ]
[ Unused decal for the "River Rats," Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Assoc. ]
[ Pamphlett urging Americans to write to government officials who can assist the plight of American POWs in Vietnam ]
[ Drink coaster from the Udorn Officers' Mess, Udorn, Thailand ]
[ Program for a White House ceremony in honor of American POWs [5/24/1973] ]
[ Invitation to a Department of State reception on May 24, 1973 ]
[ Dinner menu and seating instructions for a White House reception [May 24, 1973] ]
[ Program for the Fourth Annual Claremont Republican Women's Club Patriotic Dinner [7/3/1973] ]
[ Program for a Nation Freedom Tree Dedication" ceremony [10/24/1973] ]
[ Memorial card for John E. Stavast [7/3/2004] ]
[ Letter from Billie Whitehead, chairman of the Centennial Class of 1944 [5/31/1973] ]
[ Letter from the IRS concerning John Stavast's tax returns while he was a POW [10/12/1973] ]
[ Letter from the Jack Daniels Distillery accompanying the purchase of a "Belle of Lincoln" serving decanter [1/25/1980] ]
[ Certificate of Appreciation [10/7/1979] ]
[ Application for a POW license plate [7/27/1979] ]
[ Letter thanking the Stavasts for their donation to the Cal Farley's Boys Ranch [7/3/1979] ]
[ Handwritten notes on French vocabulary and grammar written on tobacco packets ]
[ Chore assignment sheet ]
[ Floor plan of a house drawn on the back of Vietnamese brown paper wrapper for Vietnamese tobacco ]
[ Names of 113 POWs, with type of aircraft and date shot down, written on POW camp toilet paper. ]

About this Item

Title

  • John Edward Stavast Collection

Names

  • Stavast, John Edward
  • Mann, Kathryn

Home State

  • Texas

Headings

  • -  Stavast, John Edward
  • -  World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
  • -  United States. Army Air Forces/Corps.
  • -  Cold War -- Personal Narratives
  • -  United States. Air Force.
  • -  Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
  • -  United States. Air Force.
  • -  Prisoner of War -- United States

Repository

  • Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Gender

  • Male

Status

  • veteran

Service History

  • World War, 1939-1945

    • Branch of Service: Army Air Forces/Corps
    • Unit of Service: Company A, 117th Infantry Regiment; 407th Bomb Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group, 40th Bomb Wing
    • Location of Service: England; France; Germany; European Theater
    • Highest Rank: Sergeant
    • Dates of Service: 1944-1946
    • Entrance into Service: Enlisted
    • Military Status: veteran
    • Service History Note: The veteran served as a truck driver and trained as a B-29 gunner. After arriving in Europe, he was assigned to the 117th Infantry Regiment. He was later reassigned to the 92nd Bomb Group.
  • Cold War

    • Branch of Service: Air Force
    • Unit of Service: Air Training Command; 18th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron; 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
    • Location of Service: Japan; France; Alabama; Reese Air Force Base, Texas; Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas
    • Highest Rank: Colonel
    • Dates of Service: 1950-1980
    • Entrance into Service: Commissioned
    • Military Status: veteran
    • Service History Note: The veteran served as a pilot and trained Japanese Self Defense Force pilots.
  • Vietnam War, 1961-1975

    • Branch of Service: Air Force
    • Unit of Service: Headquarters, Tactical Air Command; 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
    • Location of Service: Langley Air Force Base, Virginia; Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama; Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand; South Vietnam; Hanoi, North Vietnam
    • Highest Rank: Colonel
    • Dates of Service: 1980
    • Prisoner of War: Yes
    • Entrance into Service: Commissioned
    • Military Status: veteran
    • Service History Note: The veteran was shot down over North Vietnam on September 17, 1967, and was hed as a Prisoner of War at six different prison camps until his release on March 14, 1973. The veteran served as the Senior Ranking Officer (SRO) at four of these prison camps, and was the commander of four different POW Squadrons.

Materials

  • Manuscript: Civilian papers (certificates, forms, wills, etc) [2 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1983-1997)
  • Manuscript: Clippings [9 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1972-2004)
  • Manuscript: Correspondence [192 items] -- Mixed (handwritten and typewritten documents) (collected 1967-2015)
  • Manuscript: Creative works [3 items] -- Handwritten document (collected 1970-1973)
  • Manuscript: Diaries and journals [5 items] -- Handwritten document (collected 1969-1973)
  • Manuscript: Maps [22 items] -- Mixed (handwritten and typewritten documents) (collected 1967)
  • Manuscript: Military papers (orders, personnel/201 files, etc) [54 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1965-2016)
  • Manuscript: Printed matter [9 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1973-2004)
  • Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 1984-03-12)
  • Photograph: Original photographic print [100 items] -- Photograph (collected 1967-1996)
  • Photograph: Negatives [1 item] -- Photograph (collected 1973)
  • Photograph: Photocopy of Photographic Print [2 items] -- Photograph (collected unknown)
  • Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 2016; 2016-03-21)
  • Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected 2016; 2018-05-07)

Collection Number

  • AFC/2001/001/101797

Cite as

  • John Edward Stavast Collection (AFC/2001/001/101797), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Online Format

  • audio
  • image
  • online text

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

Using VHP Material in Publication or Exhibition

The Veterans History Project (VHP) at the Library of Congress collects, preserves and makes accessible the firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans who served from World War I through more recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions, so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand what they saw, did and felt during their service. The Veterans History Project Collection includes oral histories along with documentary materials such as original letters, diaries, photographs, and memoirs.

Veterans and interviewers contribute these materials to the Library for scholarly and educational purposes, retaining any copyright they may hold. Therefore, permission must be obtained before using the interview or other materials in exhibition or publication. Researchers or others who would like to make further use of these materials should contact the Veterans History Project for assistance.

As a publicly supported institution, the Library generally does not own rights to material in its collections. Therefore, it does not charge permission fees for use of such material and cannot give or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute material in its collections. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item from the Library’s collections and for securing any necessary permissions rests with persons desiring to use the item.

Please contact us with questions.

Obtaining Copies of VHP Materials

In order for VHP materials to be duplicated, we must receive written permission from the interviewee for you to obtain a copy of the recording unless the proposed use is limited to personal use, research, or other uses permissible by copyright law. If the interviewee is deceased, their next-of-kin may grant written permission.

Please contact VHP for assistance if you need to contact a veteran for permission to use their materials in exhibition or publication, or if you have received permission from the veteran and need access to high-resolution copies of VHP collection materials.

Citing VHP Materials

Please use the following formats when citing Veterans History Project materials (substituting the appropriate name and collection ID number).

Materials as a whole:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Manuscript material:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Memoirs (MS02), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Transcript (MS04), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Correspondence (MS01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Recording:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Audio recording (SR01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Video recording (MV01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Photograph:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Photographs (PH01), photographer unknown, Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Photographs (PH03-PH14), Ralph Williams photographer, Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Computer file:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Computer file (CF01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Artifact:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Artifact (AR01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Stavast, John Edward, and Kathryn Mann. John Edward Stavast Collection. 1944. Personal Narrative. https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.101797/.

APA citation style:

Stavast, J. E. & Mann, K. (1944) John Edward Stavast Collection. [Personal Narrative] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.101797/.

MLA citation style:

Stavast, John Edward, and Kathryn Mann. John Edward Stavast Collection. 1944. Personal Narrative. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.101797/>.