James C. Hollon Collection

The Hollon Collection contains materials pertaining to World War II, focusing particularly on the Allied Invasion of Normandy, France, on D-Day (June 6, 1944).  The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, as well as other World War II memorials receive special attention in this collection.

Tennessee World War II Memorial Collection
Harriet Howard, the collector of these materials, served in the Naval Reserve from 1946-1984 and attended Vanderbilt University in 1947-48 under the GI Bill of Rights Act. As Secretary-Treasurer of the World War II Memorial Trust, Inc., Howard assisted raising funds for a World War II memorial on Bicentennial Mall in Nashville.

The collection includes minutes of meetings from 1997 through 1999 on the design and construction of the Tennessee World War II Memorial on the Bicentennial Mall in Nashville, Tennessee. The minutes are beneficial for understanding the developments, mission and goals of the World War II Memorial Trust Committee.

Another commemoration piece in the collection is a copy of the book entitled the United States of America's Medal of Honor Recipients. This book has a chapter entitled "World War II" that provides brief biographical sketches of each recipient of the distinguished award. Howard has book-marked recipients from Tennessee. In addition, the collection also contains two volumes entitled  A Pictorial History: Navy Women 1908-1988. These volumes provide photographs and commemorate women who served in the Navy from 1908 to 1988. A researcher particularly interested in women in the Navy during World War II should consult Volume I.

The Gore Center also has an oral history interview with Harriet Howard in which she discusses her war experiences.