Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs, Jr.
Scope and Content
This collection contains documents, records, correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings and articles, ephemera and memorabilia and other materials created and/or collected by Walter Henry Scheurs, Jr. during his service in the USAAF during World War II and the USAF from 1947 to 1967. The Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs, Jr. is housed in two manuscript boxes and four oversize boxes of various sizes totaling 5.64 linear ft.
The collection arrived in good condition. The original order of the documents was kept intact and was maintained by the archivist, who identified two series with the first series being the Personal History Series, which is further organized in three subseries: 1. Documents, 2. Photographs and 3. Media.
Subseries 1. consists of eight folders, which speak to the personal history of Walter Scheurs, Jr. and his family. The first four folders pertain to Walter Scheurs, Jr. and consists of the 1940-41 Valley Springs High School yearbook, Federal civilian employment applications and a V-Mail communication from Lt. P. J. Schiappacasse. The next two folders are about the parents of Walter Scheurs, Jr. with the bulk of this information being about his father's military career from 1917 to 1918. The following folder contains genealogical information; and in the last folder can be found ephemera, which could not be identified with any one individual in particular.
Subseries 2. contains two folders. The first folder holds pictures of individuals who are presumed to be friends and family members; however, none of the individuals could be identified in any manner. In addition, no dates were printed on any of these photographs. A second folder contains pictures of the travels of Walter Scheurs, Jr. throughout Austria, Germany, Italy and other unidentified locations while he was stationed in Europe with the USAF. These are arranged alphabetically by the country and city in which the picture was taken as only two of these pictures can be identified by dates, April 21 and April 22, 1957.
Subseries 3. consists of one 45-rpm vinyl record of, "Here's to My Lady" and "If Wishes Were Kisses" as recorded by Perry Como.
The second series contains the bulk of this collection and it deals with the military service of Walter Scheurs, Jr. The Military Service Series is arranged into four subseries: 1. Printed Documents, 2. Uniform Accoutrements, 3. Photographs and 4. Scrapbook.
Subseries 1. consists of the military records of Walter Scheurs, Jr., documents used during everyday duties such as a list of radio codes, a German language newspaper, Berchtesgadener Anzeiger, three issues ofThe Torreta Flyer, an unpublished biography of Ed Lamb and documents from the March Field Museum Foundation.
The first eleven folders are photocopies of the documents in the military record of Walter Scheurs, Jr. while the following eleven folders are the originals. The documents mainly consist of travel orders and reimbursements requests. Of particular interest are the DD-214s (or other similar discharge papers) and the awards and certificates which were issued. Box 2, Folder 14 contains a chart created by Walter Scheurs, Jr. to document the mission on which he flew. In addition, a photocopy and the original of one of the first security questionnaires for processing a security clearance (Form DD 368) can be found in Box 1, Folder 17 and Box 2, Folder 7 respectively.
The Berchtesgadener Anzeiger was obtained by Walter Scheurs, Jr. during his visit to Berchtesgaden while serving in the USAF in Germany. The Torreta Flyer is dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of the 484th Bomb Group, the unit in which Walter Scheurs, Jr. served during World War II. Ed Lamb was on the same B-24 flight crew with Walter Scheurs, Jr. during World War II.
Subseries 2. consists of the boxes, which contained the medals, pins and ribbons awarded to Walter Scheurs, Jr. No medals were donated however; some of the ribbons and pins are still in their respective boxes.
Subseries 3. contains five photographs of Walter Scheurs, Jr. during his USAAF and early USAF service.
Subseries 4. consists of a scrapbook, which details the World War II experiences of Walter Scheurs, Jr. through newspaper articles and clippings, postcards, magazines, correspondences, photographs and ephemera. Some items, which are particularly interesting are an Army "Kwik-o-gram" post card (page 21); a cartoon pamphlet containing Hitler's "Last Will" (page 25); an Associated Press timeline of World War II from Mar 14, 1939 to September 3, 1943 (page 25); a log of the transfers of Walter Scheurs, Jr. during World War II (page 34); transcripts of a bomb run over Germany as printed in The Stars & Stripes (page 46); a world map of the U.S. Air Forces (page 56); a report on the death of Ernie Pyle (page 58); a map tracing the route of the transfers of Walter Scheurs, Jr. during World War II (page 61); and a propaganda pamphlet in German and French, which was to be given to German prisoners of war explaining the Nazi's role in starting World War II and what the Red Cross could do to notify their relatives of their condition (page 109). Some items such as a copy of the Press Enterprise sports section from September 22, 2001 are not related to the World War II service of Walter Scheurs, Jr. but were included in this series because they were found on the inside of the back cover of the scrapbook.
Dates
- 1905 - 2001
- Majority of material found within 1942 - 1967
Creator
- Scheurs, Walter H., Mr., Jr. (Walter Henry), 1922-2001 (Creator, Person)
Language of Materials
Collection is in English.
Access Restrictions
Materials in this collection are open for research.
Biographical Sketch
Walter Henry "Dutch" Scheurs, Jr. was born April 20, 1922 in Cedar Rapids, IA to Walter Henry Scheurs and Lucille Vernus Scheurs (née Kasner). He was the second of six children and the oldest son. Oriealice Scheurs was two years older than "Dutch" and the younger siblings were Patricia Scheurs, Melvin Scheurs, Charles Scheurs and Steven Scheurs. Melvin and Steven Scheurs, however, did not survive infancy. The Scheurs family has a small measure of notoriety in the Cedar Rapids, IA area. P. M. Scheurs moved to Burlington, IA in 1840 by way of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York City, NY after emigrating from Germany. On March 1, 1844, he and his wife, Magdelena Kaufmann, gave birth to Philip Heinrich Scheurs in Burlington, IA. Philip Scheurs went on to become the Superintendent of Roads and Bridges in Des Moines County, IA after changing his name to Henry Philip Scheurs or simply H. P. Scheurs. H. P. married Elizabeth Armknecht in 1867 and before she died in 1889, she gave birth to one son, Charles Henry Scheurs and six daughters. Charles Henry Scheurs married Alice Ruth Walker (January 6, 1867 - 2 July, 1942) on April 15, 1891 and on April 6, 1892, she gave birth to Walter Henry Scheurs.
Walter Scheurs, Jr. graduated from Valley Springs High School in Valley Springs, AR in June 1941 as Vice-President of a class of fourteen. On August 13, 1941, Walter Scheurs, Jr. went away to Los Angeles, CA to attend the W. O. Anderson Airplane School. By September 1941, he had secured for himself a position with Consolidated Aircraft at Lindbergh Field in San Diego, CA as a Fuselage-Riveter Helper. On May 15, 1942, Walter Scheurs, Jr. quit his job with Consolidated and from June to December 1942, he held various jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA. On December 21, 1942, Walter Scheurs, Jr. was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and by December 26, 1942, he had reported for in processing at Camp Dodge in Des Moines, IA.
From December 26, 1942 to April 1944, Walter Scheurs, Jr. traveled the U.S. going from one aviation or technical school to another in places like, St. Petersburg, FL; Keesler Field, MS; Harlingen, TX; Salt Lake City, UT; Peterson Field, CO; and Lincoln, NE.
From April to October 24, 1944, Walter Scheurs, Jr. was deployed to Foggia, Italy with the 825th Bomb Squadron, 484th Bomb Group, 49th Bomb Wing of the 15th Air Force. He served as a top turret gunner and mechanic on a Consolidated B-24 Liberator nicknamed, "Archangel" for thirty-seven actual missions. As was customary in the 15th Air Force, some missions counted as two sorties depending on the difficulty of the mission. As such, his thirty-seven missions were counted as fifty sorties, which is important because the completion of fifty sorties allowed an airman in the 15th Air Force to return to the United States. On July 11, 1944, during his twenty-first mission, a bomb run against the German Submarine Pens at Toulon, France, Walter Scheurs, Jr. was wounded. For this, on July 23 and 28, 1944 he was respectively awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with Oak Leave Cluster.
As a member of the 484th Bomb Group, a Distinguished Unit Badge was received on September 14, 1944 for an August 22, 1944 raid against Nazi oil storage facilities in Vienna, Austria. The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded on November 12, 1944. By the time, Walter Scheurs, Jr. returned to the U.S. on December 1, 1944, he also had received seven bronze stars for campaigns against Rome-Arno, southern France, the Balkans, the Rhineland, northern France, the northern Apennines of Italy and the air war in Europe. Walter Scheurs, Jr. was honorably discharged from the USAAF on September 24, 1945 as a Technical Sergeant at the Jefferson Barracks, MO. His last duty station was at Chanute Field in Rantoul, IL.
After the war, Walter Scheurs, Jr. eventually found employment with the Iowa Manufacturing Company from March to June 1946 before buying the Sinclair Oil Company Service Station on 3rd Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, IA. He operated this station from June 1946 to October 1947 and then decided to enlist in the U.S. Air Force (USAF). From at least February 6 to December 26, 1947, Walter Scheurs, Jr. was enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves on inactive duty in Naval Reserve Division 9-53.
The USAF career of Walter Scheurs, Jr. started on December 27, 1947, at Lowry Field in Denver, CO. On April 1, 1948, he was transferred to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB) and attached to the 64th Bomb Squadron, 43rd Bomb Wing, 15th Air Force, Strategic Air Command (SAC). On February 1, 1949, Walter Scheurs, Jr. was promoted to Staff Sergeant. Temporary promotions to Technical Sergeant and Master Sergeant followed on March 8 and November 5, 1951, respectively. At Davis-Monthan AFB, Walter Scheurs, Jr. served as the right gunner and mechanic on a Boeing B-50 Superfortress until December 4, 1953 when he changed vocations to become a Personal Equipment Supervisor. On April 1, 1955, he was awarded the permanent rank of Technical Sergeant.
Walter Scheurs, Jr. served at Davis-Monthan AFB until April 19, 1956 when he was sent to Germany and assigned to Kaufbeuren Air Base and Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base with the 7330th Flight Training Wing. On February 13, 1958, he was transferred to Bentwater, Suffolk, UK and was stationed there with the 81st FTR Bomb Wing Support Squadron until April 30, 1959.
On May 1, 1959, Walter Scheurs, Jr. was stationed at Dyess AFB, TX with 819th Combat Support Group, 341st Bomb Wing. He stayed there until being transferred to March AFB, Riverside, CA between August 8 and 25, 1960. A permanent promotion to Master Sergeant came on December 1, 1962 and his last promotion was on April 1, 1965 when he made Senior Master Sergeant. March AFB was to be the last duty station for Walter Scheurs, Jr. during his USAF career. He retired and received an honorable discharge on July 31, 1967. Ironically, Walter Scheurs, Sr. was discharged from the U.S. Army Air Service Flying School on December 17, 1918 at the very same duty station. Walter Scheurs, Jr. remained on the roles of the USAF Reserves until March 27, 1975.
Following his service to the USAF, Walter Scheurs, Jr. continued to reside in Riverside, CA with his wife, Paula Theresa Scheurs (née Trimarco) whom he had married on February 11, 1950 at All Saints Church in Tucson, AZ. In retirement, he supported the March Field Museum Foundation. Walter Scheurs, Jr. passed away in Riverside, CA on March 3, 2001; and was buried at Riverside National Cemetery.
Sources
- Source
- Ancient Faces. (2012). "Walter H Scheurs-Jr. (1922-2001) genealogy - Riverside, Riverside County, CA, (California)." Retrieved April 4, 2012 from: http://www.ancientfaces.com/research/person/72958731/walter-h-scheurs-jr-profile-and-genealogy
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," School Yearbook Contents, Folder 1, Box 1, Series I, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Father's Military Records, Folder 6, Box 1, Series I, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Genealogy Documents, Folder 7, Box 1, Series I, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Military Service Records, Folder 12, Box 1, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Military Service Records, Folder 13, Box 1, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Military Service Records, Folder 14, Box 1, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Military Service Records, Folder 15, Box 1, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Military Service Records, Folder 17, Box 1, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Military Service Records, Folder 18, Box 1, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Military Service Records, Folder 19, Box 1, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Military Service Records, Folder 20, Box 1, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Military Service Records, Folder 1, Box 2, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Military Service Records, Folder 13, Box 2, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," March Field Museum Foundation Documents, Folder 17, Box 2, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Military Service Records, Folder 16, Box 1, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- "Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs," Scrapbook, Box 6, Series II, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Source
- Gaynes, S. & Hoskinson, R. (2003). "The 464th Bomb Group in WWII: Flightline." Retrieved April 18, 2012 from http://www.zplace2b.com/464th/flight_mission.htm.
- Source
- USGenWeb Archives Project. (2008). "USGenWeb Archives Project - California, Riverside, California: cemetery records." Retrieved April 4, 2012 from: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/riverside/cemeteries/riversidenational-s4.txt
Extent
5.64 Linear Feet (Two manuscript boxes, one non-standard box (22x15x2), two memorabilia boxes (12.5x19x2) and one photo album box (18x13x5).)
Series Description
The Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs, Jr. is arranged in two series:
Series I. Personal History
0.20 linear ft. (eleven folders in manuscript box), 1905-1986.
Arranged in three subseries: 1. Documents, 2. Photographs and 3. Media.
Subseries 1. Documents
0.17 linear ft. (eight folders in manuscript box), 1905-1986.
Arranged chronologically by subject.
Subseries 2. Photographs
0.02 linear ft. (two folders in manuscript box), approximately 1957.
Arranged by subject.
Subseries 3. Media
0.01 linear ft. (one folder in manuscript box), Undated.
Arranged alphabetically by performer.
Series II. Military Service
5.44 linear ft. (nine folders in manuscript box, one manuscript box, one non-standard box, two memorabilia boxes and one photo album box), 1941-2001.
Arranged in four subseries: 1. Printed Documents, 2. Uniform Accoutrements, 3. Photographs and 4. Scrapbook.
Subseries 1. Printed Documents
2.34 linear ft. (nine folders in manuscript box, one manuscript box, one non-standard box), 1942-2001.
Arranged chronologically.
Subseries 2. Uniform Accoutrements
2.08 linear ft. (two memorabilia boxes), Undated.
Arranged by size of the items.
Subseries 3. Photographs
0.02 linear ft. (one folder in manuscript box), approximately 1943 to 1948.
Arranged chronologically.
Subseries 4. Scrapbook
1.0 linear ft. (one photo album box), 1941 to 2001.
Arranged chronologically.
Provenance Statement
The Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs was donated to the History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections Department, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas, by Chuck Hodge on 2011-05-06.
Image ID
It is the researcher's responsibility to secure permission from copyright holders of materials to which this institution does not own copyright.
Images in this collection are identified by a unique number that provides information about the format, record group, collection, series, box, folder, and image numbers. Please use this number when ordering reproductions of images from this collection.
Record Group Code
1 = CAT/Air American Archives
2 = Doolittle Archives
3 = Lighter than Air Archives
4 = George H. Williams, Jr., World War I Aviation Library
5 = History of Aviation Archives
6 = University Archives
7 = HAC Stacks
8 = WPRL Stacks
9 = Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Collection
10 = Belsterling Collection
11 = Closed Stacks
12 = Unidentified
13 = Chance Vought Archives
14 = Twirly Birds Archives
Image Format Code
P = Photograph/Postcard
S = Slide
N = Negative
T = Positive Transparency
B = Black and White
C = Color
Example: 5WHS-1-1-PB1
5 = History of Aviation Archives (HAC)
WHS = Walter H. Scheurs
= Series Number
1 = Box Number
1 = Folder Number
P = Photograph/Postcard
B = Black and White
1 = Image Number
Images archived in plastic image holders may also have a location code in the format: 1/TL. In this example, the number is the sheet number and the letters indicate the top left position on the sheet. Position indicators are T = top, L = left, R = right, M = middle, and B = bottom. Position indicators may be combined to describe the position on the sheet, as shown in this example.
Note to the Researcher
The collection overall is in good condition. The scrapbook suffered the most wear. All of the pages were completely removed from their binding and some of the pages had to be trimmed where they were ripped and frayed. The order of the scrapbook was unchanged. While generally it is in chronological order this is not always the case. Some non-military materials are included in the scrapbook. The original documents in the military service record folders are yellowing and showing sides of age. Some pages are torn but they are otherwise in fair condition. The photocopies and originals are generally the same with very few exceptions. For preservation purposes, it is recommended that the photocopies be consulted first and, if the desired information cannot be found there, refer to the originals.
Because military services records are naturally divided by enlistment periods ending with a DD-214 or other similar discharge documents, the military records are generally separated so that one enlistment period is wholly contained within one folder. The photocopies of these particular documents can be found in the chronological order in which they were received throughout the photocopied files while the originals, because of the arrangement by Walter Scheurs, Jr., are grouped together in one folder near the end of the military records in Box 2, Folder 13. The enlistment period beginning March 30, 1956 and ending March 29, 1962 was divided into three folders because of its size and because it was during this time-period that Walter Scheurs, Jr. served in Europe. The records of his European service can be found in the second of these three folders.
Photographs – depending on their size - and negatives were either housed in polypropylene sleeves or interleaved with acid-free paper in the folder. The negatives were removed from their original locations on pages 1 and 71 of the Scrapbook. Separation sheets with cross reference indicate their former location. Staples and paper clips were removed and replaced with coated paperclips where necessary. A 45-rpm vinyl record was removed from page 159 of the scrapbook and housed in proper archival storage in Box 1, Folder 11. The same was done with the few memorabilia items. Oversized materials were housed in non-standard boxes.
Material Removed List
0.1 linear ft. (one folder) of duplicate correspondence, photographs and photocopies of military records were removed.
- Aerial gunners Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Aviation mechanics (Persons) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- B-24 (Bomber) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- B-50 bomber Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Distinguished Flying Cross (Medal) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- History of Aviation Archives Subject Source: Local sources
- Purple Heart Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Air Force. Air Force, 15th Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Army Air Forces Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Army Air Forces. Bomb Wing, 49th Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Army Air Forces. Bombardment Group, 43rd Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War, 1939-1945 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War, 1939-1945 Aerial operations, American. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Source
- Hodge, Chuck, Mr. (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Chuck Hodge Collection on Walter H. Scheurs, Jr., 1922-2001
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Michael Seufert
- Date
- 2012-04-25
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English (eng)
- Edition statement
- First revision by Patrizia Nava, CA. 2020-10-23.
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and Archives Division, History of Aviation Archives. Repository
3020 Waterview Pkwy
SP2
Suite 11.206
Richardson Texas 75080 US
972-883-2570
LIBSPCO@utdallas.edu.