The Special Collections Department of the Library of the Health Sciences and the University Archives has received an important gift from the family of Mike Duff: Vae Duff, his wife, Nayna Duff Pilipsen, his daughter, and Jack Duff, his son. Mike Duff worked as a medic in the 27th Evacuation Hospital from 1943 to 1945 during World War II. The 27th Evacuation Hospital was organized by the University of Illinois under the direction of Charles B. Puestow. The 750-bed hospital existed from 1942 through 1945 and served in the North African and European theaters.
As a twenty-year-old private Mike Duff kept a diary documenting activities in the hospital and his experience as a medic. The diary presents an unusual perspective of a World War II experience, as enlisted personnel were usually not permitted to keep a diary. All seven of the eight existing hand-written diaries were donated to the Library. Later in his life Mike Duff edited his diaries and prepared a printed version of them (My diary as a medic: A ward boy in World War II, April 9, 1943-December
28, 1945, 27th Evacuation Hospital, Seventh Army), which is also part of the collection.
Mike Duff carried a camera with him as the 27th Evacuation Hospital followed the Allied troops across Europe and into Germany in 1944 and 1945. He took pictures of Hitler's Eagle's Nest, the Dachau Concentration Camp, and other sites in war-torn Germany that are part of the collection. The collection also includes memorabilia that Mike Duff acquired during the Allies' campaign.
The material from Mike Duff is an important addition to the Library's collection of material from the 27th Evacuation Hospital. Mike Duff's diaries, photographs, and memorabilia are available for study to students and scholars in the Special Collections Department at the Library of Health Sciences-Chicago.
For more information, email the Special Collections Department, or visit.
