Conditions Governing Use

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions

Online Access

This diary is avaliable online

Preferred Citation

James B. Moss, Jr. World War II diary, 1943-1944. MS 0452. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

James B. Moss, Jr. (1924-1998) of Richmond, Virginia entered VMI in September 1942 as a member of the class of 1946. Along with many other members of his class, he soon enlisted in the United States Army and began active duty in March 1943. Moss started his 26 months of overseas duty in September 1943, serving with the 15th Field Artillery Observation Battalion and attaining the rank of Sergeant. He participated in a number of critical battles, including Anzio Beachhead, Mt. Camino, and Monte Cassino. His unit saw 554 days of continuous combat operations.

Following the World War II, Moss returned to VMI to finish his education and was awarded a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering in June 1950. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserves and returned to active duty during the Korean War. In civilian life, Moss pursued his career as an electrical engineer, serving with Western Electric Company in missile systems development.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of James B. Moss Jr.'s diary. The first diary entry begins on page 13 and is dated September 13, 1943, the day his unit departed for overseas duty, and the last entry is D-Day, June 6, 1944. During the bulk of this period his unit was in Italy at Anzio Beachhead. Moss describes action at Anzio, German air attacks, unit casualities, and other events relating to the military campaign.

This diary is written in the book "My Life in the Service," which was issued to members of the armed forces. It contains space to enter important names, events, and other personal information.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Anzio, Battle of (Italy : 1944)
• Diaries
• United States. -- Army. -- Field Artillery Observation Battalion, 15th
• Virginia Military Institute—Alumni—Biography
• Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1946
• World War, 1939-1945
• World War, 1939-1945—Campaigns—Italy
• World War, 1939-1945—Personal narratives