Hugh MacLachlan Chowning (1913-1974) Papers, 1943-1947
Held by The Filson Historical Society
Creator: Chowning, Hugh MacLachlan, 1913-1974
Title: Hugh MacLachlan Chowning (1913-1974) Papers, 1943-1947
Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department.
Size of Collection: 1 cu. ft.
Location Number: Mss. A C552
Biographical Note
Hugh MacLachlan “Mac” Chowning was born in Shelby County, Kentucky on July 17, 1913 to George Smith Chowning and Bell Chowning (née Mapes). He had a twin sister, Mildred, who married James Clark III in 1934.
Chowning enlisted in the army November 28, 1941. He appears to have initially served with Battery E, 90th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft regiment) in Northern Africa. His letters indicate that he spent some time in Casablanca during the war. After leaving northern Africa around October 1944, his unit appears to have travelled throughout Europe including Italy, France, and Germany. In December 1944, he was promoted to Captain, and by that time was associated with the 4379th Quartermaster Truck Company. He was discharged from the Army on February 27, 1946.
In 1948, he married Marion Elizabeth Coleman, with whom he had two daughters. He died July 6, 1974 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Scope and Content Note
This collection primarily consists of correspondence and photographs sent from Hugh Chowning to his mother and twin sister during World War II while stationed in north Africa, France, Italy and Germany with the U.S. Army. The correspondence includes handwritten letters, V-mail, and limited photographs and real photo postcards.
Chowning wrote of his experiences during the war and inquired about happenings in Louisville, Kentucky, where his family resided. Chowning often wrote of going to various Officer’s Clubs, seeing films, and the general conditions of military life. When able due to censorship constraints, Chowning mentions where he is and what work he has been doing for the military.
Folder List
Box 1
Folder 1: Portrait photographs of Chowning family members, ca.1940-1947
Folder 2: Correspondence, March 1943
Folder 3: Correspondence, April 1943
Folder 4: Correspondence, May 1943
Folder 5: Correspondence, June 1943
Folder 6: Correspondence, July 1943
Folder 7: Correspondence, August 1943
Folder 8: Correspondence, September 1943
Folder 9: Correspondence and photograph, October 1943
Folder 10: Correspondence, November 1943
Folder 11: Correspondence, December 1943
Folder 12: Correspondence, January 1944
Folder 13: Correspondence, February 1944
Folder 14: Correspondence, March 1944
Folder 15: Correspondence, April 1944
Folder 16: Correspondence, clippings and photographs, May 1944
Folder 17: Correspondence and photographs, June 1944
Folder 18: Correspondence, July 1944
Folder 19: Correspondence, August 1944
Folder 20: Correspondence, September 1944
Folder 21: Correspondence, October 1944
Folder 22: Correspondence, November 1944
Folder 23: Correspondence, December 1944
Folder 24: Correspondence and real photo postcard, January 1945
Folder 25: Correspondence, February 1945
Folder 26: Correspondence, March 1945
Folder 27: Correspondence, April 1945
Folder 28: Correspondence and real photo postcards, May 1945
Folder 29: Correspondence, June 1945
Folder 30: Correspondence and booklet, July 1945
Folder 31: Correspondence, August 1945
Folder 32: Correspondence, September 1945
Folder 33: Correspondence, October 1945
Folder 34: Correspondence, November 1945
Folder 35: Correspondence, undated
Subject Headings
Atomic bomb.
Berchtesgaden (Germany)
Camp Shows, Inc.
Chowning, Bell, 1888-1951.
Clark, Mildred, b. 1913.
Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969.
Gaulle, Charles de, 1890-1970.
Louisville (Ky.)
United States – Armed Forces – Officers.
United States. Army. Coast Artillery Regiment, 90th. Battery E.
United States. Army. Quartermaster Truck Company, 4379th.
United States – Race relations.
V-mail.
World War, 1939-1945 – Africa.
World War, 1939-1945 – Europe.
World War, 1939-1945 – War work – Red Cross.
