The collection materials are arranged into folders which reflect the original arrangement of the scrapbook. The folders are arranged by correspondence, envelopes, photographs, and publications.
The 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, 36th Division (Texas National Guard) was mobilized in November 1940. On December 6, 1941, the cruiser crossed the Equator with the convoy, to learn the next morning the attack on Pearl Harbor. On February 4,1942, after the Java Sea Battle, due to incorrect information, the Cruiser USS Houston sailed into the south end of Java via the Sunda Strait, and found itself surrounded by a Japanese fleet. The 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery USS Houston sunk and the surviving men swam ashore and became prisoners of the Japanese for 42 months.
Rights: Reproduction and publication of materials in this collection are subject to the policies of the UNT Archives and Rare Books department. Copyright restrictions may apply.
Access Notes: This collection is stored off-site and requires a minimum of 24 hour notice prior to use.
Acquisition Note: Source: A.E. Greene. Gift
Preferred Citation:Eli Budimlya Collection, University of North Texas Special Collections
Scope and Contents: Collection consists of materials about the Cruiser USS Houston from a scrapbook. The collection is composed primarily of photographs of sailors, envelopes with small photographs of U.S.S Houston, newspapers, publications about the history of U.S.S. Houston and a training course certificate from the Navy.