Albert M. George Papers
Collection
Identifier: Mss-0383
The Albert M. George Papers has material from 1945-2002. There is a journal in what appears to be a Chinese or Japanese account book or ledger; most of its contents were probably created after George’s liberation in 1945 although there are lists from 1946-1947. It contains a short personal history covering the period 1936-1945, a short account of his captivity, hand-written copies of important documents, lists of officers of the 101st Division and the 101st Field Artillery of the Philippines Army, lists of prisoners of war from South Carolina and those who died in captivity, and names and addresses of various individuals. Clippings with biographical information relating to George for the period 1949-2002 are also part of the collection.
The Papers can be used to study the POW experience during World War II and provide important information concerning POWs from South Carolina held by the Japanese.
This collection is open to the public without restriction.
Albert Mackensen George was born on October 23, 1915 the son of Demetrius Mayo and Johanna Sommor George. He graduated from Clemson College in 1936 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry. After graduation he worked as a mortician in the George Funeral Home in Aiken, SC. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserves in 1937 he was called to active duty and assigned to the 13th Infantry Regiment of the 8th Infantry Division at Fort Jackson, SC. In 1941 he was assigned to the 101st Division, Philippines Army and in January 1942 became the G3 (operations and training officer) of the division. After being promoted to captain he was assigned as executive officer to the 101st Field Artillery in April 1942, eventually taking command of the Third Battalion. The 101st Field Artillery surrendered in May 1942.
From 1942-1944 he worked as a prisoner of war on a farm in the Davao Penal Colony in the Philippines. George was transferred to the Cabanatuan Camp in June 1944, where he was held until October. He was then sent Bilbao Prison, where he stayed until December. He was transferred Japan and until April 1945 was held at Fukuoka Camp #3. George was moved again to the Hoten Camp in Manchuria where he was liberated by the Russian Army in August 1945. He was promoted to the rank of major in 1945. After leaving the service in 1946 George returned to Aiken and resumed working at the George Funeral Home and took over family business in 1949 after his father’s death. He is credited with organizing the Red Cross blood program in Aiken County in 1953. George died on December 1, 1976.
.05 Cubic Feet
English
The Albert M. George Papers provide information about the experience of being an American prisoner of the Japanese during World War II. George was a member of the 101st Field Artillery, Philippine Army and was captured when Bataan fell in 1942.
The collection contains a journal dating from 1945-1947 which includes a brief account of his time as a prisoner of war. It also has clippings containing biographical information relating to George from the period 1949-2002.
Chronological
Donated by Edward D. George, Jr., Johanna V. Gibbs, and Mason G. Gibbs in 2022. Accession 2022-013.
The collection was processed and a finding aid created by James Cross in 2023.
Part of the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository