University Archives Student Research Guide: UB & WWII
UB & World War II - An Introduction
During World War II, colleges and universities around the United States contributed to the war effort. Students, faculty, and staff joined the armed forces. Others worked in war-related industries and government positions. UB (then the University of Buffalo), under the leadership of Chancellor Samuel P. Capen, took an active role in these efforts. Among other activities, the university offered a variety of courses in engineering, mathematics, and other disciplines in high demand during the war years. Several training programs for military cadets were also offered. The University Archives holds several collections that provide insight into UB’s wartime activities.
Images
Four members of the 3215th Service Command Unit of the Army Specialized Training Program standing outside the School of Medicine Building at 24 High Street, circa 1944. #UA_80B_13
War publication, circa 1944. #RG5-3-30_5_8_002
A tribute in the Buffalonian yearbook to UB students who joined the armed forces, 1943. #RG9-6-00-2_1943_067
Army Air Cadets of the 23rd College Detachment in line in the Norton Union (now Harriman Hall) cafeteria, July 1943. #UA_80B_7
Buffalonian yearbook images, including "Wedding a la Militaire" newlyweds leaving Norton Union (now Harriman Hall), circa 1944. #RG9-0-00-2_1944_092
"War production training for the high school graduate at the University of Buffalo's School of Business Administration" publication. #RG5-3-30_6_3_006
Online Resources
Use the following resources to supplement your primary source research.
- UB and World War II guide - Information on military programs at UB
- UB Digital Collections
- Buffalonian yearbooks - Click on yearbooks 1941-1945 to get a glimpse into student life during this time
- UB Bee (1921-1950) via NYS Historic Newspapers
- Full-text searchable database, allowing you browse issues of the Bee, 1921-1950
- Navigate to the search bar to conduct an advanced search
- Finding Aids database
- Navigate to the link to conduct a search for a subject or topic to reveal relevant collections in the University Archives
- If you see the description of an item you would like to view, contact lib-archives@buffalo.edu
Recommended Collections
The following are collections in the University Archives related to UB during World War II. You can use any of these resources to identify collections and primary sources of interest. You can also conduct your own keyword search via our Finding Aids Database. If you see the description of an item you would like to view, contact lib-archives@buffalo.edu.
- 5/3/30: University at Buffalo and World War II collection, 1940-1946
- 6/4/42: Armed Forces Contracts, 1943-1945
- 22/8F/232: Henry Lee Smith papers, 1935-1972
- Box 9: U.S. Army Language Manuals
- Box 10: German POW material
- 22/9F/422: Marian E. White papers, 1934-1979
- Box 12: World War II Victory and Good Conduct Medals, and identification bracelet
- [World War I] MS-0243: J. Howard Smith (Schmidt) scrapbook and student notebook, 1915-1917
- Includes European ration coupons, handwritten notes on types of weapons used during the First World War and procedures to follow in the event of a weapons attack.
- 36/5/452: School of Pharmacy Alumni Association records, 1889-1989
- Box/folder 7.12: Alumni in WWII, 1942-1945
- Box/folder 8.10: "V-News" alumni bulletin for veterans, includes photographs