J. Simpson MacKinnon Photograph Collection, 1943-1945
Scope and Contents
U.S. Naval Occupation of Kiska and Surrender of Japanese Forces at Hokkaido. Captain James Simpson MacKinnon, Chief of Staff, 17th Naval District, presented these photographs of the American occupation of Kiska in the Aleutian Islands, 1943, and the surrender of North Pacific Japanese forces at Hokkaido. The views include remains of Japanese installations, construction and occupation of the U.S. Naval Station at Kiska and the Japanese surrender at Hokkaido to Vice Admiral Frank J. Fletcher, U.S.N.
Dates
- 1943-1945
EAD
PCA0080Conditions Governing Access
The collection is available for viewing, however, the photographs may not be photocopied.
Conditions Governing Use
Request for permission to publish or reproduce material from the Collection should be discussed with the Librarian.
Biographical
James Simpson “Sim” MacKinnon was born Mar. 26, 1897, in Juneau to pioneer prospector Lockie MacKinnon and his wife, Martha. He was named for Dr. James Kidd Simpson who saved Lockie MacKinnon’s life following an explosion at the Ebner Mine in the Last Chance Basin. Sim spent his early childhood in Fairbanks and returned to Juneau, graduating from high school in 1917. He became the first Alaskan to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy (1921). Sim and Hazel Jaeger were married in 1923 and they moved to Chefoo, China, where he was stationed. During his tour of duty their only child, James Simpson “Skip,” was born in Manila, Philippines. In 1927, Sim and his family returned to Juneau where they operated the Alaska Laundry and Cleaners.
MacKinnon was naval aide to Gov. John Troy and later to Gov. Ernest Gruening. After World War II broke out, he returned to active military service as chief of staff for the 17th Naval District, directing the war effort in the Aleutians. He retired with rank of captain in 1946.
MacKinnon was a member of the Juneau Volunteer Fire Department, the Pioneers of Alaska and the Elks. He was a 3rd degree Master Mason and Shriner. “Sim” MacKinnon died July 31, 1990, in Juneau at age 93.
Extent
128 Photographic Prints : Newspapers, telegrams
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Captain James Simpson MacKinnon, Chief of Staff, 17th Naval District, presented these photographs (date unknown).
Existence and Location of Copies
Photographs digitized and available for viewing via Alaska's Digital Archives: 1-114, 117a-117b, 118-134
Existence and Location of Copies
Images were added to the collection on 5/22/2006 by Sean Lanksbury. Though the numbering continues from the end of the collection, images 121 through 133 are similar to those found between photographs 81 through 87 and share the same subject matter.
Existence and Location of Copies
The collection contains a separate folder of duplicates.
Processing Information
This collection has been described at the item level. All items were placed in Mylar, pH-neutral folders, and an archival box.
- Title
- Finding aid for the J. Simpson MacKinnon Photograph Collection, 1943-1945
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Processed by: Staff ; Revised by: Staff, May 2006 ; Revised by Jacki Swearingen, Feb. 2018 ; ArchiveSpace finding aid by: Sandy Johnston 2019 June ; Inventory added by; Sandy Johnston
- Date
- 2020 March
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Alaska State Library - Historical Collections Finding Aids Repository
PO Box 110571
Juneau AK 99811-0571 US
907-465-2920
907-465-2925
907-465-2151 (Fax)
asl.historical@alaska.gov