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

Selected World War II photographs are available online .

Preferred Citation

John L. Couper collection, 1936-1992. MS 0486. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

John Lee Couper, M.D. graduated from VMI in 1937 and received his medical degree from the University of Virginia. A veteran of World War II, he served in the United States Army Medical Corps from 1941 to 1946, spending four years overseas with the St. Luke's Unit (Second Evacuation Hospital). He served in Great Britain and did five campaings in northern Europe with Fifth Corps, First Army. He separated from the service holding the rank of Captain. Couper spent his post-War career in the practice of anesthesiology. He died in 2001 in Lexington, Virginia.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of items related to John L. Couper, including correspondence (to parents and other family) and two photograph albums documenting service during World War II. The bulk of this collection is dated 1942 to 1946. The letters cover a wide range of topics, including training in Great Britain, field hospital operations in Europe, and comments about daily aspects of war. The photographs document the unit's movements, staff, and activities in England, France and Belgium. In addition, this collection includes a photograph album (1936-1937) dating from Couper's VMI cadetship, and extensive material documenting various VMI Class of 1937 reunions.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Correspondence
• Couper, Wm. (William), 1884-1964
• England -- Huntingdonshire -- Diddington
• McCuaig, Duncan R., Dr.
• Photograph albums
• United States -- Army -- Medical Corps
• United States. -- Army. -- Evacuation Hospital, 2nd
• United States. Army—Officers—Biography
• Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1930-1939
• Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1937
• World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- France -- Normandy
• World War, 1939-1945—Campaigns—Europe
• World War, 1939-1945—Personal narratives
• personal papers