Support provided by:
The Case:
A WWII veteran from Chico, California owns a unique souvenir from his time as a young GI. While stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey, he picked up a 16-inch acetate recording of a promo for a soldier musical called “Hi Yank.”
The recording starts with a director's introduction explaining the musical is a “blueprint special” created by GIs for GIs to be performed anywhere in the world. Our contributor has heard of United Service Organization shows to support troops by boosting morale, but never a “blueprint special” musical.
Could this recording be a piece of forgotten history?
History Detectives meets with U.S. Army archivists and historians to find out if this disk was connected to the American war effort.
Related Content
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Empire State Building Plane Crash Piece
Does this piece of metal belong to the plane that crashed into the Empire State Building?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Kittery Telescope
What can this telescope reveal about America’s earliest struggles for independence?
-
Related Investigation
Survivor Camera
Did this antique camera save a Polish Jew during the Holocaust?
-
Related Investigation
Mouse Toy
Could this tiny toy labeled 'Micky' be the original Mickey Mouse?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Superman Sketch
Is this a WWII sketch from the early days of this comic icon?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Chicago Clock
What role did this clock play in keeping 19th century America running on time?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.
Anyone wishing to submit an artifact for investigation should do so through Submit a Story.
- Submit your StoryDo you have a Depression or World War II object? Submit your story now.
- Latest CommentIt turns out that this collage was sold last fall: http://www.worthpoint.com/wort... I wonder if it would be possible to contact the buyer by way of the auction house about getting a print made. (2 weeks ago)
- Twitterremember this investigation with @TukufuZuberi @elyseluray Tonight they reunite! Let us know your thoughts! @PBS http://t.co/4KMnc27K (8 months ago)
- FacebookCongrats on your exhibit, TZ! Here's a Washington Post article about the exhibit, everyone, and the great story TZ and Elyse did on his "Our Colored Heroes" story. http://tinyurl.com/mzpuyo8 http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/our-colored-heroes/ (2 weeks ago)