The scrapbook, created by Gertrude M. Kirk, consists of letters, news articles, and photographs documenting the career of her son, Kenneth J. Kirk, Jr., as a Marine fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II. As well, there is some material documenting Kirk's life after the war as a test pilot and as a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Kenneth Johnson Kirk, Jr. was born January 1, 1920 in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont, the son of Kenneth J. and Gertrude M. Kirk. He grew up in Barre, Vermont, graduating from Spaulding High School in 1937. He enlisted in the Marine Air Corps in the fall of 1940 and received his training as a fighter pilot at Pensacola, Florida. He was deployed as a lieutenant in the Pacific Theater in June, 1942. By the end of the war he had reached the rank of Major. After the war he worked as a test pilot for Lockheed Martin, while remaining in the Marine Corps Reserve with the rank of Colonel. He eventually went into the real estate business in Seattle, Washington. He married Susan Wadden in 1945 and he died August 31, 2008 in Washington State.