William B. Reardon Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS-345-BC
Scope and Content
The collection contains materials relating to Reardon's experience as a prisoner of war in Japan, 1942-1945. Included are typescripts of his diary, which were transcribed by Reardon himself, correspondence, and military records. The original diary was loaned to the family of another POW and never returned to Reardon. The collection also contains some correspondence of Helen Reardon regarding her husband's diary.
The folder titles that appear in quotation marks are titles that were assigned by Reardon himself. Other information has been added by the CSWR staff.
The folder titles that appear in quotation marks are titles that were assigned by Reardon himself. Other information has been added by the CSWR staff.
Dates
- 1942-1983
Language of Materials
English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biographical Information
William B. Reardon, educator and World War II veteran, was born in Delavan, Illinois, December 30, 1904. He arrived in Albuquerque in 1923 and attended UNM where he received a BA in 1928. After graduation he became a teacher and principal for the Albuquerque Public Schools.
In 1941 Reardon joined the U.S. Army. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese after the fall of Bataan and found himself the ranking officer at his POW camp. Reardon kept a written diary of sorts on scraps of paper he was able to obtain while a prisoner. The diary served as evidence against the Japanese in war crimes trials after the war.
Reardon retired from the service with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1948. Returning to Albuquerque he again became a public school principal and administrator, until his retirement in 1964. He died in Albuquerque after an illness on May 23, 1971.
In 1941 Reardon joined the U.S. Army. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese after the fall of Bataan and found himself the ranking officer at his POW camp. Reardon kept a written diary of sorts on scraps of paper he was able to obtain while a prisoner. The diary served as evidence against the Japanese in war crimes trials after the war.
Reardon retired from the service with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1948. Returning to Albuquerque he again became a public school principal and administrator, until his retirement in 1964. He died in Albuquerque after an illness on May 23, 1971.
Extent
2 boxes (.9 cu. ft.)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the William B. Reardon Papers, 1942-1983
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by CSWR staff
- Date
- ©1999
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 345 BC::William B. Reardon Papers)//EN" "nmu1mss345bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu