Eugene V. Cameron/USS Biloxi Collection
Scope and Contents
The collection contains correspondence, newsletters, news clippings and other materials related to the U.S.S. Biloxi. The collection contains seventy-five photographs and negatives.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1944-1998
Conditions Governing Access
Noncirculating; available for research.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).
Biographical / Historical
Eugene Victor Cameron was born May 9, 1926 in Winterset, Iowa. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in May 1944 and was honorably discharged on December 1, 1946. Mr. Cameron served aboard the U.S.S. Biloxi during his tenure in the Navy. After World War II, Cameron worked as a truck driver and also served in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was married to Viola P. Cameron and no children were born of the union. Eugene Cameron died on February 20, 1998.
The CL-80 U.S.S. Biloxi, the only United States Navy ship named for a Mississippi city, was present during every major military operation in the Pacific during World War II, from January 1944 to May 1945, and was awarded nine battle stars for her service. The ship’s nickname was “The Busy Bee.”
The Biloxi was a Cleveland Class Light Cruiser, built by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia. The ship, which was sponsored by Mrs. Louis Braun, was launched on February 23, 1943 and commissioned on August 31, 1943. The Biloxi's captain was Daniel M. McGurl.
Despite being constantly placed in harm's way, the ship made it through World War II without losing a single man, although it incurred slight damage on March 27, 1945, from a kamikaze plane. On that day, the vessel encountered four of the Japanese suicide bombers, shooting down three and disabling the fourth to the point that it crashed into the ship. Fortunately, the bomb it was carrying did not explode. The crew later retrieved the bomb, disarmed it, resealed its head, and placed it on the quarter deck as a souvenir.
The U.S.S. Biloxi was scrapped in 1962. The cruiser's superstructure was set aside and erected in the Guice Park near the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor on Lameuse Street. The ship's bell is housed in the lobby of the Biloxi City Hall.
Extent
1.17 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Eugene V. Cameron served aboard the U.S.S. Biloxi during his tenure in the U.S. Navy during World War II. The U.S.S. Biloxi was commissioned in 1943 and served in the Pacific Ocean. The ship was decommissioned in 1946.
Arrangement
The materials in the collection were organized by subject, grouping items by organization when possible (newsletters, photographs, U.S.S. Biloxi). The photographs were kept in their original order.
Provenance
Donated by Madison County (Iowa) Historical Society, via Wendell Spencer, Curator, in 2007.
Existence and Location of Copies
For Digitized Materials from this collection, see: EXTERNAL DOCUMENTS link at bottom of page.
Artifact Log
Box 3, Envelope 1 U.S. Navy Ribbon Undated 1 x 26
Box 3, Envelope 2 Military Insignia Undated 1 x 4
Box 3, Envelope 3 War and Unity, Biloxi V.F.W. Medal 1991-1992 Lapel pin
Box 3, Envelope 3 U.S. Navy Honorable Discharge Medal Undated Lapel pin
Box 3, Envelope 3 U.S. Naval Reserve Honorable Discharge Medal Undated Lapel pin
Box 3, Envelope 3 Aircrew Medal Undated Lapel pin
Box 3, Envelope 3 Sharpshooter Medal Undated Lapel pin
Box 3, Envelope 3 U.S. Marine Corps B.A.R. Small Bore Medal Undated Lapel pin
Box 3, Envelope 4 United States Navy Occupation Service – Asia Medal Undated 2 x 3
Box 3, Envelope 5 Two Bullets Undated 1 inch
Box 3, Sleeve 6 U.S. Navy Insignia Undated 4 x 6
Photograph Log
Box 1, Folder 19 M480-2 Greeting Card – Don Reilly 4 x 6 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 19 M480-3 Sailor posing for photo – Identified as Boswell 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 19 M480-4 Sailor posing for photo – Identified as Boswell 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 19 M480-5 Two sailors posing for photo 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 19 M480-6 Sailor posing for picture in doorway 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 19 M480-7 Aerial photo of a city 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 19 M480-8 First Division – U.S.S. Biloxi 3 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 19 M480-9 Photo of a ship, presumably U.S.S. Biloxi 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 19 M480-10 Part of a ship, presumably U.S.S. Biloxi 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 19 M480-11 Two sailors posing for photo – Identified as Eugene Cameron and Boswell 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 19 M480-12 Photo of a ship, presumably U.S.S. Biloxi 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 20 M480-13 Aerial photo of a city and mountains 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 20 M480-14 Sailor posing for a photo 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 20 M480-15 Sailor posing for a photo 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 20 M480-16 Sailor posing for a photo 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 20 M480-17 Sailor posing for a photo in front of a building 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 20 M480-18 Aerial photo of a port area 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 20 M480-19 Aerial photo of a barren city 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 20 M480-20 Structural Remnant 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 20 M480-21 Aerial photo of a port city 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 20 M480-22 Sailor in front of June’s Food Store 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 20 M480-23 Aerial photo of barren area 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 20 M480-24 Aerial photo of a city 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 21 M480-25 Eugene V. Cameron 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 21 M480-26 Two sailors posing for a photo 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 21 M480-27 Sailors on a ship, presumably U.S.S. Biloxi 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 21 M480-28 Aerial photo of land and water 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 21 M480-29 Aerial photo of buildings 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 21 M480-30 Ammunition 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 21 M480-31 Sailor, identified as Tucker, posing for a photograph with a woman 4 x 6 B & W 1944
Box 1, Folder 21 M480-32 Four sailors posing for a photo 5 x 7 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 21 M480-33 Aerial photo of a city; possible bombsite 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 21 M480-34 Man standing next to ammunition on U.S.S. Biloxi 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 21 M480-35 Close up photo of a ship, presumably U.S.S. Biloxi 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 22 M480-36 Sailor posing for a photo 2 x 2 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 22 M480-37 Two men at a desk posing for a photo 4 x 6 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 22 M480-38 Two sailors posing for a photo 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 22 M480-39 Sailor carrying a sack 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 22 M480-40 Man posing for photo 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 22 M480-41 Sailor posing for photo 2 x 3 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 22 M480-42 Man posing for photo 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 22 M480-43 Two men in front of Ekho Drugs 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 22 M480-44 Two men talking on a ship, presumably U.S.S. Biloxi 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 22 M480-45 Two sailors posing for a photo 2 x 3 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 23 M480-46 Sailor posing for a photo 2 x 3 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 23 M480-47 Sailor with pipe posing on a ship, presumably U.S.S. Biloxi 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 23 M480-48 Man sitting on cargo 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 23 M480-49 Sailor sitting on a ship, presumably U.S.S. Biloxi 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 23 M480-50 Man sitting on a ship, presumably U.S.S. Biloxi 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 23 M480-51 A ship at dock, presumably U.S.S. Biloxi 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 23 M480-52 A sailor and a woman standing next to a car 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 23 M480-53 A sailor and a woman posing for a photo 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 23 M480-54 Eugene V. Cameron with two women, identified as Bonnie and Bernice 3 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 23 M480-55 Sailor standing in front of house 3 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 23 M480-56 Sailor leaning on a rail 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 24 M480-57 Sailor standing on a pier 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 24 M480-58 Two sailors standing in front of the U.S.O. 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 24 M480-59 Sailor standing in front of a bridge 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 24 M480-60 A sailor and a woman sitting next to each other 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 24 M480-61 Aerial photo of a barren city 4 x 5 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 24 M480-62 Two men standing in front of a tree 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 24 M480-63 Man standing in front of a storefront 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 24 M480-64 Photo of a 1000 lb. Japanese bomb dropped by a suicide plane on U.S.S. Biloxi at Okinawa 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 24 M480-65 Photo of a 1000 lb. Japanese bomb dropped by a suicide plane on U.S.S. Biloxi at Okinawa 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 24 M480-65 Photo of a 1000 lb. Japanese bomb dropped by a suicide plane on U.S.S. Biloxi at Okinawa (negative) 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 24 M480-66 Two men posing for a photo 4 x 5 Color polaroid Circa 1990s
Box 1, Folder 25 M480-67 Two sailors posing for a photo (negative) 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 25 M480-68 Man with a pipe leaning against a pole (negative) 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 25 M480-69 Man smoking a cigarette next to a vehicle (negative) 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 25 M480-70 Two women walking down steps (negative) 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 25 M480-71 Five people standing at the top of steps (negative) 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 25 M480-72 Man standing on the edge of a pier (negative) 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 25 M480-73 Woman sitting in the grass (negative) 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 25 M480-74 Man leaning against a rail (negative) 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
Box 1, Folder 25 M480-75 Four people sitting in front of a house (negative) 3 x 4 B & W Circa 1940s
- Title
- Eugene V. Cameron/USS Biloxi Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Collection processed and finding aid written by Yvonne Arnold, Brandon Ball, and Jessica Clark
- Date
- October 2013, last revised: 2013 November
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Manuscripts and Photographs Repository
118 College Drive - 5148
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
601.266.4345
