Sidney and Lorraine Feiner Photograph Collection
Scope and Contents
The Sidney and Lorraine Feiner Collection documents Sidney Feiner's World War II service in the US Army Air Forces. After joining the Army in February 1943, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre in campaigns of the Western Pacific until February 1946. He spent much of 1945 with the 35th Photo Tech Unit, Twentieth Air Force in Guam. In this capacity he amassed a number of photographs showing operations, explorations, and aircraft nose art. The collection also includes photographs related to Lorraine Feiner (nee Croissant) and her boyfriend prior to Sidney, Robert L. Christmann. Christmann joined the US Army in June 1941, and served as an aerial gunner in the Army Air Forces until his death in North Africa in November 1942.
Most photographs in the collection relate to Feiner and his military service, including the following locations in the Pacific Theater: Guam, Agrigan, Alamagan, Garipan, Saipan, Okinawa, Sarigan, Ascuncion, and Anatahan. Most photos show military crews and events, while some photographs show civilians and civilian areas. Military photos include soldiers in the mess hall, at work in the kitchen, enjoying leisure time, and on transport boats and trucks. Additional photos show military encampments, group photos of the 35th Photo Technical Unit, and women with the Red Cross serving refreshments. Photos also show airplane nose art and planes in flight. Several aerial photos show Tokyo and unidentified urban areas.
Photos taken in the United States show both Feiner and Christmann posing in uniform with family and friends. Feiner is shown with his parents Ralph and Anna Feiner, among others. Christmann is shown with then-girlfriend Lorraine Croissant. Photos also show Feiner in Little Rock, at Camp Robinson in Florida, and flight training in Minnesota. Feiner is also shown on a trip to the Colorado Springs area, including a visit to a zoo and to the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City. His traveling companions included soldiers in uniform and women in civilian dress.
The collection also includes copies of photographs showing soldiers raising the flag at Iwo Jima and the Japanese surrender ceremony.
Dates
- 1941-1946
Creator
- Feiner, Sidney R., 1921-1982 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
No viewing restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. The user assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.
Biographical / Historical
Sidney R. Feiner (1921-1982) was born April 30, 1921 to Ralph and Anna Feiner and grew up in South St. Louis City. He completed two years of high school at Hadley Vocational School before leaving school in 1937. Feiner worked for Curtiss Wright Aircraft Corp. at Lambert Field as a forming press operator. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on February 15, 1943 at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis County, Missouri. He served in a variety of roles including Army Air Forces supply technician, truck driver, and photographic laboratory technician as he rose in rank from private to corporal. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre in campaigns of the Western Pacific from December 12, 1944 to February 5, 1946. He spent much of 1945 with the 35th Photo Tech Unit, Twentieth Air Force in Guam. In this capacity he amassed a large collection of photographs of operations, explorations, and aircraft nose art. Over the course of his service, Feiner earned several decorations and citations including Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Ribbon, American Theatre, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre with 1 bronze star. He died June 19, 1982.
Robert L. Christmann (1919-1942) was born in St. Louis on May 12, 1919, the youngest of three children. He graduated with honors from Beaumont High School in January 1938. Christmann was drafted on June 4, 1941, and he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces the next day. Sgt. Christmann served as an aerial gunner and was killed in action in North Africa on November 30, 1942.
Lorraine C. Croissant (1924-2006) was born on January 1, 1924 to John J. Croissant and Cecelia Hillinghorst. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in June 1940. She began dating Robert Christmann in September 1939, and their relationship continued until Christmann's death in 1942. She married Sidney R. Feiner in 1948. The Feiners lived in St. Louis and had one son, Steve. Lorraine died December 30, 2006.
Extent
0.5 Cubic Feet ( (1 box; 10 folders; 5 film sheet negatives; 1 film strip negative))
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Original donor groupings have been maintained, and loose photos have been added to these groupings.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
No physical or technical restrictions.
Donor Information
Collection donated by Steve Feiner in 2022.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital copies and item-level records of select images are posted as they are created and can be accessed through the Online Collections on the Missouri Historical Society website (mohistory.org/collections).
Digitized images are generated from the original item whenever possible and files are adjusted only to ensure an accurate representation. Master files are saved in TIF format and JPEG viewing files are automatically generated from the master files.
Separated Materials
A3215: Robert L. Christmann and Sidney R. Feiner World War II Collection, 1942-1946 (Archives Department)
Formats
Photographs; Album; Negatives
Processing Information
Processed by Lauren Sallwasser, 2024.
Creator
- Feiner, Sidney R., 1921-1982 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Sidney and Lorraine Feiner Photograph Collection.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- EAD by Lauren Sallwasser using ArchivesSpace.
- Date
- 2024
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Missouri Historical Society, Photographs and Prints Department Repository
Library and Research Center
225 South Skinker Boulevard
St. Louis MO 63105
photo@mohistory.org