Photos & Memorabilia

From the C.B.I.

A Personal Collection shared by

S. Neal Gardner, son of the late

Maj. John J. Gardner

 

 

Page one from Maj. Gardner's War Area Service Corps (WASC) Diary for 1945 containing autographs and addresses of Chinese Commanders and other friends he served with in the CBI.  This page contains the autograph of Lt. General Liao Yao-shiang, Commander of the New Sixth Army which included the 14th, 22d,and 50th Divisions.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

Page two from Maj. Gardner's War Area Service Corps (WASC) Diary for 1945 containing autographs and addresses of Chinese Commanders and other friends he served with in the CBI. 

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

   

 

 

 

Page three from Maj. Gardner's War Area Service Corps (WASC) Diary for 1945 containing autographs and addresses of Chinese Commanders and other friends he served with in the CBI.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Page four from Maj. Gardner's War Area Service Corps (WASC) Diary for 1945 containing autographs and addresses of Chinese Commanders and other friends he served with in the CBI.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Page five from Maj. Gardner's War Area Service Corps (WASC) Diary for 1945 containing autographs and addresses of Chinese Commanders and other friends he served with in the CBI.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

Real Photo #1  "Not Modern Reproduction": This is a 1st generation photo manufactured around the time when the image was created. Most often from the original negative but not always. News Agency photos fall into this category. 

( Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Back of Photo #1 with description and credits.

 

 

 

Real Photo #2 "Not Modern Reproduction": This is a 1st generation photo manufactured around the time when the image was created. Most often from the original negative but not always. News Agency photos fall into this category.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

Back of Photo #2 with description and credits.

 

 

 

 

Real Photo #3 "Not Modern Reproduction": This is a 1st generation photo manufactured around the time when the image was created. Most often from the original negative but not always. News Agency photos fall into this category.

(Personal collection of Jennifer Bryant Wedge, daughter of the the War Correspondent/Photographer who took this photo as noted on the reverse side)

 

 

 

 

 

  Back of Photo #3 with description and credits.

 

 

 

 

THE FOLLOWING EXCHANGE OF EMAILS WERE BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE DAUGHTER OF THE WAR CORRESPONDENT/PHOTOGRAPHER WHO ACTUALLY TOOK THIS PICTURE OF THE TATTOO'ED "YANK"  GIVING A CIGARETTE TO A WOUNDED CHINESE SOLDIER.  YOU WILL SEE HOW CONNECTIONS CAN BE MADE BY SHARING INFORMATION ON WEBSITES.  I WAS DEEPLY TOUCHED BY THE RESULT OF OUR SERENDIPITIOUS MEETING.

From: Jennifer Wedge
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 11:30 PM
To: neal@gardnerworld.com
Subject: CBI photographs

Well this is very exciting to find your website! Our fathers must have known each other.

My father, Bob Bryant was a war correspondent/photographer with International News Photo in the CBI from 1943 to the end of the war. He was with Stillwell in Burma and behind enemy lines with Merrills' Maruaders.  I have found one of his photos on your site, the one with tattooed GI lighting a cigarette for a wounded Chinese soldier. How very wonderful that you have posted this photo with his credit line. My Dad lived for the credit line, so on his behalf, thank you! 

My Dad also covered the Japanese surrender to the Chinese in Nanking.  Actually, I think the photo on your site might include him taking a photo of General Ho Ying-Chen and Lt. Gen. Okamura Yasutsuga from the opposite direction.

Your website is such a wonderful honor to your father and his amazing life.

Best Regards,

Jennifer Bryant Wedge

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

On Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 7:41 PM, S. Neal Gardner <neal@gardnerworld.com> wrote:

Dear Jennifer,

Sorry about the delay in responding to your extremely kind words regarding my website dedicated to Father, John J. Gardner.  As a hobby, I am an amateur photographer and I have the utmost respect and admiration for war correspondents/photographers, especially those who served in the CBI Theater.  I was particularly attracted to your father's photograph of the wounded Kuomintang soldier.  Maybe it was the tattoo, or simply the composition and undeniable translation of one human being caring for another.   I colorize black and white photos using special software and I thought this photo might lend itself to partial colorization.   However, now that the picture has a personal connection to me, I'll leave it alone!

Jennifer, I whole heartedly want to give you this photo.  I acquired it through an auction on eBay and I have no idea how the seller obtained it.  The provenances of INP pool photos are anybody's guess.  But this one is special.  If you are hesitant to give me your home address, perhaps you could allow me to send it to another location where you could pick it up.   I just feel compelled to give this photo to you.  If you will give me permission to keep it on my website, I'll edit the information to reflect your ownership which will give the photo a sense of purpose and honesty.

You would be amazed at the number of people who email me with stories of their fathers who most likely knew my father.  Huan Yan, Grandson of Major General Pan Yu Kun contacted me to ask permission to include photographs from my collection in a book he was writing about his Grandfather, Maj Gen Pan.  Maj Gen Pan was the Chinese counterpart of Lt Gen Stilwell at the Battle of Myitkyina.  Maj Gen Pan was instrumental in finalizing the battle, as noted in several references.   Gen Pan was inducted in the Order of the Bathe by King George VI.  I have photos and documents I need to upload to my website.  His Grandson, Huan Yan, has kept in touch with me and has been translating a large part of my website.  We have had a couple of phone calls (he is 12 hours ahead of me), and his English is much better than my Cantonese.  Huan is an architect living in Hong Kong.

I need to keep a journal of these emails.  I received one today from someone who's father was a truck driver during the building of the Ledo Road and he wanted to know if I would give him one of my Ledo Road Patches.  I emailed him and told him that I would help him find a patch on eBay, but I wanted to keep my collection intact.  Between you and me, If he could "prove" one of the patches belonged to his father, I would most likely send it to him ..... but that would be difficult to prove. 

Another website that may be of interest to you is Remembering Shared Honor.  The website is the brainchild of Patrick Lucas whom I have worked with providing photos.  He is a great guy.  The website contains over 2500 photos from the CBI Theater and perhaps you could find more photos taken by your father

Let me know how I can get your photo to you.

All Good Things,

Neal

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From: Jennifer Wedge 
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 10:20 PM
To: S. Neal Gardner
Subject: RE:CBI Photograph

Dear Neal,

I am just overwhelmed with the generosity of your kind offer. Just to have my dad's caption line on your website says so much about you and your appreciation of photographers, but offering me the photo is beyond words!  For the last two years, I have been working full time to organize and preserve my Dad's mass of letters, notes, captions, and photographs into a readable format. It was a project he always wanted to do during his lifetime, but never got around to it. So I'm doing it for him. It would be a great honor to add this amazing photograph to his archive with credit to you. 

Thanks for your thoughtful words about the photograph. I have found that many of his photo's have that human touch, which is especially interesting in war photography.  Your colorizations of the black and white photographs are quite amazing. I can't believe how authentic it appears and truly brings the photo's to life.   Thank you also for the links, I haven't found anything yet, but will keep looking. Also, so fascinating about Major Pan Yu Kun's grandson – I guess many of us are the historians for our families.

With gratitude,

Jennifer Bryant Wedge

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From: Jennifer Wedge 
Sent:  Monday, August 11, 2008 10:20 PM
To: S. Neal Gardner
Subject: Thank you

Neal,

I just received the photograph in the mail -  It is just stunning - I am so moved.I really feel such a connection to my Dad through his work, especially this photograph, which as you so eloquently represents the "undeniable translation of one human being caring for another."And to me, this photograph will always represent the goodness in people. That you would care for my Dad's photograph is such a superb way, and then just send it to me as a complete stranger to you. It is such an amazing gesture of caring for one human being to another.

Thank you so much!

Jennifer

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From: S. Neal Gardner [mailto:neal@gardnerworld.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:55 AM
To: Jennifer Wedge
Subject: RE: Thank you

Jennifer

You're certainly welcome.  I'm extremely relieved that the photograph made it's way to you.  It always belonged to you.  I just didn't know until you contacted me.  And I'm so happy you did.  Your father was a brave and courageous war correspondent documenting the actual battles up close.  He wasn't "embedded" with any special group as things are done today.  He was on a mission with a camera and his thoughts of what should be captured on film.  I feel proud having made a connection to Bob Bryant through his loving daughter.   I am honored to have returned that photograph to you, Jennifer, it's rightful owner.  May we live in peace and keep our father's memories alive.  

All Good Things,

S. Neal

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Real Photo #4  "Not Modern Reproduction": This is a 1st generation photo manufactured around the time when the image was created. Most often from the original negative but not always. News Agency photos fall into this category. 

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back of Photo #4 with description of photo and credits.

 

 

 

 

A Rare Theater-Made Victory Pin with Flawless Enameling and Heavy Post & Nut.  Actual size is 1" x 3/4th".

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

A Rare Theater-Made Victory Pin with Flawless Enameling and Heavy Post & Nut.   Actual diameter of pin is 3/4".

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

A Rare Theater-Made Ramgarh (India) Training Center DI (Distinctive Insignia) with Flawless Enameling and Heavy Post & Nut.  Actual size is 1" x 7/8"

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

    Chinese Officer Insignia, Infantry Major (confirmed)

    (Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

    Low resolution JPG Format   OBVERSE   REVERSE

 

   Chinese Officer Insignia, Infantry, Rank Unknown

    (Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

    Low resolution JPG Format   OBVERSE   REVERSE

 

    Chinese Officer Insignia, Infantry, Rank Unknown

    (Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

    Low resolution JPG Format   OBVERSE   REVERSE

 

    Chinese Officer Insignia, Infantry, Rank Unknown

    (Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

    Low resolution JPG Format   OBVERSE   REVERSE

 

    Chinese Officer Insignia, Infantry, Rank Unknown

    (Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

    Low resolution JPG Format   OBVERSE   REVERSE

 

 

Chinese Stamps, No Information

 (Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

Top portion of Commendation from Maj. Gen. McClure & Gen. Ho Ying-chin received by Maj. Gardner

 

 

 

Bottom portion of Commendation

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Program December 1944

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

Inside of Program

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

A hand painted Christmas Card given to my father by two Chinese Lt. Gen., Inf.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Inside of card with personalized message.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

Program for a celebration to commemorate the 1st Anniversary of the founding of the "Officer's Training Corp".

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

Several well known officers listed as attendees, (Maj. Gen. C. L. Chennault, Brig. Gen. Frank Dorn, Brig. Gen. Wessels, along with numerous other dignitaries.)

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Chinese Version

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Chinese Version

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Envelope holding the following two invitations.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

This looks identical to the one above.  Both were in the same envelope.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

Envelope holding the following invitation ....

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

Gen. Tsung's party Jan 10, 1944 5:00 p.m. 

Written on invitation:  "An invitation to a dinner party given by a favorite Chinese Major General friend of mine". 

 

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

Invitation to Surrender Proceedings

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Invitation to a party following the Surrender Proceedings

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

Invitation to a party following the Surrender Proceedings

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

A vintage original from LIFE Magazine (November 22, 1943) -- outside back-cover, heavy-stock paper -- 10.75 x 13.5 inches -- too large for my Epson & scanned in two parts,

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Bottom half.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

Not an envelope, but the pink paper is glued to heavy card stock.  Has been written on ... as if to correct something.   Pink was used for the Victory Ribbon below, and these may be related.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

Victory Ribbon intended to be worn at the Japanese Surrender Proceedings.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commendation received from Lt. General Stilwell for outstanding services during the successful invasion of Northern Burma.   This led to a Presidential Unit Citation for the Headquarters NCAC.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actual clipping of a letter from Maj. Gardner to his parents in Mooreland, Oklahoma.  The text of the letter has been transcribed and can be found here.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hand-made Silk print intended for framing.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Hand-made Silk print intended for framing.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

The following snapshots were taken using early Kodak Kodachrome film.

Maj. Gardner, left and Maj. Jefferson Davis, at right. 

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

   Color Enhanced

 

 

 

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

   Color Enhanced

 

 

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

   Color Enhanced

 

 

 

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

   Color Enhanced

 

 

 

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

  Color Enhanced

 

 

 

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

  Color Enhanced

 

 

 

Chinese Combat Command Headquarters' Staff with names

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

Obverse   

Reverse     

 

 

 

Chinese Combat Command Headquarters' Staff

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

Obverse   

Reverse     

 

 

This is special effects image.  I cropped a section from the previous photo then enlarged it and colorized Maj. Gardner and Maj. General Robert B. McClure, right.  Sitting between them is Brig. General Emerick Kutschko.  One of Maj. Gardner's best friends, Maj. Jefferson I. Davis, Jr. is sitting behind him to his left.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

Photograph taken after the Japanese Surrender Proceedings.  A translation of the writing at the top of the photo has been provided by Patrick Lucas: Literal:   "Army newly reorganized 6th army officer's club opening ceremony keepsake (34 year of the Republic, 10th month, 6th day in Nanjing)"

Meaning: "Keepsake photo from the opening ceremony of newly reorganized 6th army officer's club (34 year of the Republic, 10th month, 6th day in Nankjng)"

Maj. Gardner is standing in the very center of the front row.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

Entrance to the Central Military Academy in Nanking.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

View of the Entrance to the Central Military Academy from the Sun Yat-Sen Library.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Sun Yat-Sen Library on China's Central Military Academy's campus in Nanking.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

American Liaison Officers and Support Staff of the Chinese Command Command Headquarters

Sun Yat-Sen Library, Nanking

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

Maj. Gardner standing in front of the Sun Yat-Sen Library in Nanking where American Liaison Officers of the Chinese Combat Command took up residence during preparation for the Japanese Surrender.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Maj. Gardner standing with Chinese Officer in front of the Sun Yat-Sen Library in Nanking

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

Maj. Gardner standing with Chinese Officer in front of the Sun Yat-Sen Library in Nanking

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

Two Chinese Officers in front of the Sun Yat-Sen Library in Nanking

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

American Liaison Officers with Chinese Officers

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Headquarters' Staff, Northern Combat Area Command, Northern Burma.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Maj. Gardner along with two American Liaison Officers dressed in traditional Chinese clothing.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

 

These photographs were colorized with software that uses proprietary algorithms to apply the coloring "transparently" allowing the natural texture and detail to remain visible.  Usually photos that have been "colorized" using a paint program applies the color in a solid manner covering everything beneath.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

Another variation.

 

 

 

 

 

Another colorized photograph of Maj. Gardner standing outside his tent in either Burma or India.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

 

Maj. Gardner preparing to board a C-54 transport, destination unknown.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

I was corrected by Professor Jerzy Mietelski, Ph.D. from Crakow, Poland.  
I had characterized this aircraft as a C-47, but Dr. Mietelski pointed out that the aircraft had a tricycle landing gear which lead him to believe it was a C-54.
Many thanks to Jerzy for pointing this out.

 

 

 

 

 

Authentic MERRILL'S MARAUDERS "greenbacks".  Two official variations. 

Obverse

 

 

 

 

Reverse

 

 

 

 

Lt. General Joseph W. Stilwell Limited Edition First Day Cover

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

Pane of 20 stamps

See official USPS Press Release

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

 

Lt. General Joseph W. Stilwell First Day of Issue Stamp Ceremony Program, front & back

An image of Gen. Stilwell is embossed into a heavy charcoal folder. (Best viewed with light background)

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

First Day of Issue Stamp Ceremony Program, inside with details of ceremony & list of guests.

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

  

  Obverse

"Vinegar Joe" Stilwell ... Fighting for America in China

Collecting Card

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

Reverse

"Vinegar Joe" Stilwell ... Fighting for America in China

Collecting Card

(Personal collection of S. Neal Gardner)

 

 

 

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