Thomas B. Keith papers, 1920-1990
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Keith, T. B. (Thomas Byron), 1897-1982
- Title
- Thomas B. Keith papers
- Dates
- 1920-1990 (inclusive)19201990
- Quantity
- 4 cubic feet
- Collection Number
- MG 500
- Summary
- Papers and artifacts related to Thomas B. Keith's time serving in the US Army during World War II, in the European Theatre. Some materials relating to Keith's time as a professor at the University of Idaho.
- Repository
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University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
University of Idaho Library
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 2350
Moscow, ID
83844-2350
Telephone: 2088850845
libspec@uidaho.edu - Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research.
- Additional Reference Guides
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
Thomas B. Keith was born in 1897 and grew up on a wheat and cattle farm in Colfax, Washington. He never attended high school and joined the Army in 1916 and received his high school credits while in the service. He returned to Moscow in 1919 and graduated from the University of Idaho in 1924 with a degree in Animal Husbandry.
Keith served as a Captain in the Army during World War II from 1942 to 1946 as a food, nutrition, and agricultural specialist in the European Theatre of the war. His assignments in France and Germany were concerned with food and general agricultural issues and making sure the local populations were adequately fed. He arranged for food grown on farms outside Paris to be transported into Paris in 1945 to prevent a food shortage in the city.
He also taught in the animal sciences field and human nutrition to dietician and home economics students at Penn State and Montana State before joining the faculty at the University of Idaho in 1948. After his retirement from Idaho in 1966, he published a book "The Horse Interlude" which presented a pictorial history of the role horses played in the wheat farming operations of the Pacific Northwest. Thomas B. Keith passed away in 1982.
Content Description
This collection contains materials relating to Thomas B. Keith's time as a Captain during World War II, serving in the European Theatre between 1942-1946. Materials include handwritten letters to his wife, Helen, and other friends and family members, correspondence with different US military officials, pocket books, guides, and manuals that he may have read as a member of the Army, and handwritten journals and diaries detailing his experiences.
While serving in Europe, Keith collected several materials, including artifacts, related to the war. These artifacts include items like utensils, metal uniform pins, and a leather wallet. Other artifacts include a Nazi SS helmet, a Nazi uniform breastplate, and other Nazi memorabilia.
Other Descriptive Information
Materials in this collection may contain images, language, or other content that may be offensive or disturbing. These materials are a product of a time and place in history and should be viewed within their historical context. To maintain historical accuracy, the materials appear as they were originally created to serve as historical evidence of the social mindsets, occurrences, behaviors, and norms of their time. They do not reflect the current views of the University of Idaho. For more information about how we treat materials with offensive or disturbing content, please see the University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives Offensive Content Policy.
Use of the Collection
Preferred Citation
[DESCRIPTION OF ITEM], Thomas B. Keith Papers (MG 500), Special Collections and Archives, University of Idaho Library, Moscow, Idaho.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Series I: Materials
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Description: Certificates of ExaminationDates: 1945Container: Box 1, Folder 1
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Description: The Authentic Insignia Guide to All the Armed ForcesDates: 1945Container: Box 1, Folder 2
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Description: German Word-Frequency Vocabulary BookDates: 1936Container: Box 1, Folder 3
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Description: Caption Keith's Notebook during WWIIDates: circa 1945Container: Box 1, Folder 4
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Description: Maps of Obersalzberg: Hitler's Mountain RetreatDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 5
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Description: "The Paris I Saw" bookDates: 1945Container: Box 1, Folder 6
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Description: blank mail stationaryDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 7
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Description: handwritten letters to Helen, familyDates: 1944-1945Container: Box 1, Folder 8
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Description: "American Enterprise in Europe: The Role of the SOS in the Defeat of Germany"Dates: 1945Container: Box 1, Folder 9
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Description: Caption Keith's Notebook from WWIIDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 10
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Description: "Le Petit Preepteur; or, First Step to French Conversation for the Use of Young Beginners" by F. GrandineauDates: 1875Container: Box 1, Folder 11
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Description: "Foreign Phrases in Daily Use"Dates: 1906Container: Box 1, Folder 12
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Description: tourist pamphletsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 13
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Description: newspaper clippingsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 14
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Description: handwritten notes during WWIIDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 15
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Description: correspondence and writings about time serving in WWIIDates: 1947, undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 16
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Description: recognitions, awards, and certificatesDates: 1942-1943, 1946-1947, 1952Container: Box 1, Folder 17
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Description: handwritten journal from Camp HaleDates: January-May 1943Container: Box 1, Folder 18
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Description: clippingsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 19
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Description: materials relating to animal husbandryDates: 1942, 1945-1947Container: Box 1, Folder 20
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Description: handwritten letter to "Daddy"Dates: July 20, 1944Container: Box 1, Folder 21
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Description: unlabeled photographs of people and placesDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 22
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Description: unlabeled photographs of people and placesDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 23
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Description: membership cards, immunization records, receipts, certificates, and correspondenceDates: 1940sContainer: Box 1, Folder 24
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Description: unlabeled film negativesDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 25
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Description: train schedulesDates: 1940sContainer: Box 1, Folder 26
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Description: "Hotel Splendide: Humorous Skethes by Ludwig Bemelmans"Dates: 1941Container: Box 1, Folder 27
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Description: unlabeled photographs of people and placesDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 28
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Description: blank postcardsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 29
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Description: newspaper clippingsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 30
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Description: membership cards and receipts from Idaho and MontanaDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 31
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Description: postcards and letters written to Helen, familyDates: 1946, 1993Container: Box 1, Folder 32
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Description: handwritten letters to KeithDates: 1945Container: Box 1, Folder 33
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Description: handwritten letters to KeithDates: 1946Container: Box 1, Folder 34
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Description: military collar tabs
collar tabs include: Kriegsmarine Seamen Matrose, German Customs Service Collar Tab, German Navy KM Machine Engine Patch, Luftwaffe Oberleutnant of Medical Troops Collar Tab, Luftwaffe Collar Tabs
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 35 -
Description: uniform patches
uniform patches include: Kriegsmarine Cowain Bo German Navy, Kriegsmarine Trade Sleeve, German Luftwaffe Uniform Patch, German [unidentified]
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 36 -
Description: uniform patches
uniform patches include: Army Air Corp & US Ary Air Force, Army Air Force Black Cadet, Army Air Corps Patches, Army Air Fore Shoulder Patch, Army Air Corp 8th Air Force Class A, Army Air Corp Air Force Unit Squadron, Army Air Corps 9th Air Force Class A, Army Air Corp 20th Air Force
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 37 -
Description: uniform patches
Uniform patches include: 44th Division, 28th Division Insignia, 91st Division, 9th Infantry Division, 33rd Infantry Division, 43rd Infantry Division, 98th Division, 40th Infantry Division, 27th Division Insignia, 32nd Division Insignia, 29th Division, 31st Division, 104th Infantry Division, 84th Infantry Division, 96th Infantry Division
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 38 -
Description: uniform patches
uniform patches include: United States Army Europe, US Army Anti-Aircraft Command, Fourth US Army, US Army Anti-Aircraft CD Central Command Ground Unit, US Army District of Washington, US Army 9th Service Command Unit, US Army Defense Ground Unit, US Army European Civil Affairs
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 39 -
Description: uniform patches
uniform patches include: US Army Alaska Defense Command, US Army Honorable Discharge, WWII US Army Airborne Infantry Parachute Cap Patch, US WWII 3rd Army, Army Specialized Training Program Patch, Army Tank Destroyer 4 Wheel, 1st Cavalry Division
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 40 -
Description: uniform patches
uniform patches include: USAF Air Transport Comment ATC, 2nd Army, 1st Army, Overseas Service Bars, US Army Anti-Aircraft Command Eastern, Airborne Artillery Paratrooper Glider, Army Patch
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 41 -
Description: uniform patches
uniform patches inlude: 4th Army Corp, 8th Army Corp, 1st Army Corp, 10th Army Corp, US Army Ground Forces Unit
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 42 -
Description: uniform patches
uniform patches include: 2nd Army Corp, 9th Army Corp, Army Corps War Department Overhead Bureau, 1st Armored Army Corp
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 43 -
Description: uniform patches
uniform patches include: German Waffen SS Armband, German State Servie Uniform Arm Band, German Com, unidentified
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 44 -
Description: German Shoulder TabsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 45
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Description: German Uniform Shoulder TabsDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 46
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Description: German Swastika Patches
patches include: German Swastika Ribbon, German Swastika Patches, German Swastika Armband
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 47 -
Description: uniform patches
uniform patches include: US Army Medical Corps Patches, Army Rank - Non Commissioned Men
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 48 -
Description: uniform patches
uniform patches include: Anti-Aircraft British Army, French Forces of the Interior, W.A.F.C. Write A Fighter Corps, British Army Pioneer Corps, Canada Patch, Australia Patch, Royal Army Service Corps
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 49 -
Description: uniform patches
uniform patches inlude: Combined Operations Patch, British Army Loyal Regiment, British Army Lancashire Fusiliers, British Army Royal Tank Regiment, British Army Royal Engineers, British Army Manchester Regiment, British Army East Lancashire Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, British Army Royal Artillery
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 50 -
Description: uniform patches
uniform patches include: Naval Amphibious Forces, unidentified
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 51 -
Description: "Army Service Forces Medial Nutrition Laboratory"Dates: June 9, 1945Container: Box 2, Folder 52
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Description: US Army and Navy Manual of Military Government and Civil AffairsDates: December 22, 1943Container: Box 2, Folder 53
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Description: "A Short Guide to Britain" published by the US War and Navy DepartmentDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 54
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Description: Captain Keith's Notebook, Clippings, and CardsDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 55
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Description: "The Officer's Guide 9th Edition: A Ready Reference on Customs and Correct Procedures Which Pertain to Commissioned Officers of the Army of the United States" published by The Military Service Publishing CompanyDates: 1943Container: Box 2, Folder 56
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Description: engraving plateDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 57
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Description: publications
"When the War is Over For YOU: Based on the G.I. Bill of Rights and Other Veterans' Laws" by Edwin F. Pierle, "What To Do Aboard The Transport: The Infantry Journal"
Dates: 1944, undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 58 -
Description: Military Manuals, Guides, and PoliciesDates: 1944Container: Box 2, Folder 59
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Description: "American Military Government of Occupied Germany 1918-1920: Report of the Officer in Charge of Civil Affairs, Third Army, and American Forces in Germany"Dates: 1943Container: Box 2, Folder 60
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Description: clippingsDates: 1943Container: Box 2, Folder 61
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Description: Manual for WAFC Squadron Number 178091Dates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 62
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Description: pocket books
"Pocket Guide to the Cities of Norway," "Fun En Route For Our Armed Forces," "nos allies les Americains a l' action en France"
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 63 -
Description: "Aircraft Recognition: How to Identify British, Nazi, and Italian Planes" by R.A. Saville-SneathDates: 1945Container: Box 2, Folder 64
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Description: publications
"This Chemical Age" by Williams Haynes, "Old MDonald Had a Farm: Farm Reminiscences by Angus McDonald"
Dates: 1942Container: Box 2, Folder 65 -
Description: concert programsDates: 1945, undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 66
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Description: Illinois Athletic Club scrapbookDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 67
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Description: sports programs, clippings, and correspondenceDates: 1930sContainer: Box 2, Folder 68
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Description: unlabeled photographs and French Phrase BookDates: 1943, undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 69
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Description: New Testament (Roman Catholic Version) presented by the US ArmyDates: 1941Container: Box 2, Folder 70
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Description: Captain Keith's NotebooksDates: 1927, 1943, undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 71
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Description: handwritten notesDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 72
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Description: Secret Headquarters of European Civil Affairs DivisionDates: July 24, 1944Container: Box 2, Folder 73
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Description: War Department correspondenceDates: April 02, 1947Container: Box 2, Folder 74
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Description: Headquarters 12th Army Group US ArmyDates: June 18, 1945Container: Box 2, Folder 75
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Description: clippingsDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 76
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Description: correspondenceDates: 1930, 1937Container: Box 2, Folder 77
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Description: journal publicationsDates: 1930sContainer: Box 2, Folder 78
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Description: unlabeled photographs and membership cardsDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 79
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Description: certificates and awardsDates: 1926, 1928, 1940Container: Box 2, Folder 80
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Description: unidentified group photo of the Univ. of Idaho
Thomas Keith is in front row, far right
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 81 -
Description: Pennsylvania State College materialsDates: 1940sContainer: Box 2, Folder 82
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Description: miscellaneous patches
patches include: University of Idaho Basketball Tournament 1951 Patch, unidentified patch
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 83 -
Description: clippingsDates: 1944Container: Box 3, Folder 84
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Description: "The German Rationing System"Dates: July 21, 1944Container: Box 3, Folder 85
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Description: "Food Policy in Liberated Europe: Memorandum by the Ministry of Food"Dates: undatedContainer: Box 3, Folder 86
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Description: "Functional Manual: German Food and Agriculture Administration"Dates: undatedContainer: Box 3, Folder 87
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Description: certificatesDates: November 19, 1952Container: Box 3, Folder 88
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Description: photograph of Class II Civil Affair Training School at Yale UniversityDates: December 1943Container: Box 3, Folder 89
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Description: "The Horse Interlude: A Pictorial History of Horse and Man in the Inland Northwest" by Thomas B. Keith
published by the University Press of Idaho
Dates: 1976Container: Box 3, Folder 90 -
Description: "The Horse Interlude: A Pictorial History of Horse and Man in the Inland Northwest" by Thomas B. Keith
published by the University Press of Idaho
Dates: 1976Container: Box 3, Folder 91 -
Description: handwritten notesDates: undatedContainer: Box 3, Folder 92
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Description: handwritten letters to Helen, familyDates: 1940sContainer: Box 3, Folder 93
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Description: handwritten letters to HelenDates: 1942Container: Box 3, Folder 94
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Description: handwritten letters to Helen, familyDates: 1943Container: Box 3, Folder 95
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Description: handwritten letters to Helen, familyDates: 1943Container: Box 3, Folder 96
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Description: military correspondence and handwritten letters to Helen, familyDates: 1943Container: Box 3, Folder 97
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Description: handwritten letters to Helen, familyDates: 1944Container: Box 3, Folder 98
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Description: handwritten letters to Helen, familyDates: 1944Container: Box 3, Folder 99
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Description: handwritten letters to Helen, familyDates: 1944Container: Box 3, Folder 100
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Description: handwritten letters to Helen, familyDates: 1945Container: Box 3, Folder 101
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Description: handwritten letters to Helen, familyDates: 1945Container: Box 3, Folder 102
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Description: handwritten letters to Helen, familyDates: 1945Container: Box 3, Folder 103
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Description: military correspondence, power of attorney documentsDates: 1943, 1953Container: Box 3, Folder 104
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Description: photographs
see note in folder regarding location of items
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 3, Folder 105 -
Description: information provided by donorDates: 2021Container: Box 3, Folder 106
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Description: oversize artifacts from WWII
items inlude: Nazi SS helmet, Nazi uniform breastplate, various WWII pins, eating utensils, metal containers, hand-pulled siren, leather wallet
Dates: 1940sContainer: Box 4
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Correspondence
- Love-letters
- Universities and colleges
- World War, 1939-1945
