Photograph by
Schutz Photo, American, founded 1918
Subject of
Coles, Alphonso C. Jr., American, 1920 - 2019
8th Engineer Battalion, American, founded 1916
Date
February 1942
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin
Dimensions
H x W: 10 x 34 in. (25.4 x 86.4 cm)
Description
This black and white panoramic photograph of World War II soldiers from Company D, 8th Battalion, Ft. Belvoir depicts the training class of 1942. The class photograph takes up the top half of the photograph and is made up of a posed group of soldiers in uniform standing and sitting on bleachers four deep. The front row holds a flag with a dark background and light colored letters that read "RTC/ 8D". Between the RTC and the 8D is a castle. The flag is mounted on a pole which is held horizontally by soldiers in the front row. The bottom half of the photograph is divided into seven sections; six smaller inset images and a list of names as well as the company name "CO. D, 8th BATTALION/ Engineer Replacement Training Center/ Fort Belvoir, Virginia 1942." The furthest right image shows the soldiers lined up surrounding a small canvas tent. The second right image depicts an officer sitting at a table. The third right image shows nine soldiers in uniform and two cooks, posed with the same company flag featured in the panoramic image. The furthest left image shows the soldiers lined up in front of barracks. The second left images show four soldiers standing in front of BN Headquarters. Third left image depicts eight white officers. Between the inset photographs is a space with a list of names of the individuals pictured. There are handwritten inscriptions throughout with more information about the individuals, such as [Texans] at the top center.
The back of the photograph has lyrics to two songs handwritten in black ink.
Place depicted
Fort Belvoir, Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
panoramas
portraits
Topic
Men
Military
Photography
World War II
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alphonso C. Coles, II
Object number
2014.253.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd574c99437-4108-43b7-a62f-decde6ae40c3

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

Share this page