Archives West Finding Aid
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Thomas B. Keith papers, 1920-1990
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
-
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
-
Collection is open for research.
- Additional Reference Guides
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
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 DescriptionReturn to Top
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 InformationReturn to Top
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 CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
[DESCRIPTION OF ITEM], Thomas B. Keith Papers (MG 500), Special Collections and Archives, University of Idaho Library, Moscow, Idaho.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: MaterialsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Certificates of Examination |
1945 |
| 1 | 2 | The Authentic Insignia Guide to All the Armed Forces |
1945 |
| 1 | 3 | German Word-Frequency Vocabulary Book |
1936 |
| 1 | 4 | Caption Keith's Notebook during WWII |
circa 1945 |
| 1 | 5 | Maps of Obersalzberg: Hitler's Mountain Retreat |
undated |
| 1 | 6 | "The Paris I Saw" book |
1945 |
| 1 | 7 | blank mail stationary |
undated |
| 1 | 8 | handwritten letters to Helen, family |
1944-1945 |
| 1 | 9 | "American Enterprise in Europe: The Role of the SOS in the Defeat of Germany" |
1945 |
| 1 | 10 | Caption Keith's Notebook from WWII |
undated |
| 1 | 11 | "Le Petit Preepteur; or, First Step to French Conversation for the Use of Young Beginners" by F. Grandineau |
1875 |
| 1 | 12 | "Foreign Phrases in Daily Use" |
1906 |
| 1 | 13 | tourist pamphlets |
undated |
| 1 | 14 | newspaper clippings |
undated |
| 1 | 15 | handwritten notes during WWII |
undated |
| 1 | 16 | correspondence and writings about time serving in WWII |
1947, undated |
| 1 | 17 | recognitions, awards, and certificates |
1942-1943, 1946-1947, 1952 |
| 1 | 18 | handwritten journal from Camp Hale |
January-May 1943 |
| 1 | 19 | clippings |
undated |
| 1 | 20 | materials relating to animal husbandry |
1942, 1945-1947 |
| 1 | 21 | handwritten letter to "Daddy" |
July 20, 1944 |
| 1 | 22 | unlabeled photographs of people and places |
undated |
| 1 | 23 | unlabeled photographs of people and places |
undated |
| 1 | 24 | membership cards, immunization records, receipts, certificates, and correspondence |
1940s |
| 1 | 25 | unlabeled film negatives |
undated |
| 1 | 26 | train schedules |
1940s |
| 1 | 27 | "Hotel Splendide: Humorous Skethes by Ludwig Bemelmans" |
1941 |
| 1 | 28 | unlabeled photographs of people and places |
undated |
| 1 | 29 | blank postcards |
undated |
| 1 | 30 | newspaper clippings |
undated |
| 1 | 31 | membership cards and receipts from Idaho and Montana |
undated |
| 1 | 32 | postcards and letters written to Helen, family |
1946, 1993 |
| 1 | 33 | handwritten letters to Keith |
1945 |
| 1 | 34 | handwritten letters to Keith |
1946 |
| 1 | 35 | 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
|
undated |
| 1 | 36 | uniform patches
uniform patches include: Kriegsmarine Cowain Bo German Navy, Kriegsmarine Trade Sleeve, German Luftwaffe Uniform Patch, German [unidentified]
|
undated |
| 1 | 37 | 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
|
undated |
| 1 | 38 | 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
|
undated |
| 1 | 39 | 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
|
undated |
| 1 | 40 | 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
|
undated |
| 1 | 41 | 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
|
undated |
| 1 | 42 | uniform patches
uniform patches inlude: 4th Army Corp, 8th Army Corp, 1st Army Corp, 10th Army Corp, US Army Ground Forces Unit
|
undated |
| 1 | 43 | uniform patches
uniform patches include: 2nd Army Corp, 9th Army Corp, Army Corps War Department Overhead Bureau, 1st Armored Army Corp
|
undated |
| 1 | 44 | uniform patches
uniform patches include: German Waffen SS Armband, German State Servie Uniform Arm Band, German Com, unidentified
|
undated |
| 1 | 45 | German Shoulder Tabs |
undated |
| 1 | 46 | German Uniform Shoulder Tabs |
undated |
| 1 | 47 | German Swastika Patches
patches include: German Swastika Ribbon, German Swastika Patches, German Swastika Armband
|
undated |
| 1 | 48 | uniform patches
uniform patches include: US Army Medical Corps Patches, Army Rank - Non Commissioned Men
|
undated |
| 1 | 49 | 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
|
undated |
| 1 | 50 | 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
|
undated |
| 1 | 51 | uniform patches
uniform patches include: Naval Amphibious Forces, unidentified
|
undated |
| 2 | 52 | "Army Service Forces Medial Nutrition Laboratory" |
June 9, 1945 |
| 2 | 53 | US Army and Navy Manual of Military Government and Civil Affairs |
December 22, 1943 |
| 2 | 54 | "A Short Guide to Britain" published by the US War and Navy Department |
undated |
| 2 | 55 | Captain Keith's Notebook, Clippings, and Cards |
undated |
| 2 | 56 | "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 Company |
1943 |
| 2 | 57 | engraving plate |
undated |
| 2 | 58 | 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"
|
1944, undated |
| 2 | 59 | Military Manuals, Guides, and Policies |
1944 |
| 2 | 60 | "American Military Government of Occupied Germany 1918-1920: Report of the Officer in Charge of Civil Affairs, Third Army, and American Forces in Germany" |
1943 |
| 2 | 61 | clippings |
1943 |
| 2 | 62 | Manual for WAFC Squadron Number 178091 |
undated |
| 2 | 63 | 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"
|
undated |
| 2 | 64 | "Aircraft Recognition: How to Identify British, Nazi, and Italian Planes" by R.A. Saville-Sneath |
1945 |
| 2 | 65 | publications
"This Chemical Age" by Williams Haynes, "Old MDonald Had a Farm: Farm Reminiscences by Angus McDonald"
|
1942 |
| 2 | 66 | concert programs |
1945, undated |
| 2 | 67 | Illinois Athletic Club scrapbook |
undated |
| 2 | 68 | sports programs, clippings, and correspondence |
1930s |
| 2 | 69 | unlabeled photographs and French Phrase Book |
1943, undated |
| 2 | 70 | New Testament (Roman Catholic Version) presented by the US Army |
1941 |
| 2 | 71 | Captain Keith's Notebooks |
1927, 1943, undated |
| 2 | 72 | handwritten notes |
undated |
| 2 | 73 | Secret Headquarters of European Civil Affairs Division |
July 24, 1944 |
| 2 | 74 | War Department correspondence |
April 02, 1947 |
| 2 | 75 | Headquarters 12th Army Group US Army |
June 18, 1945 |
| 2 | 76 | clippings |
undated |
| 2 | 77 | correspondence |
1930, 1937 |
| 2 | 78 | journal publications |
1930s |
| 2 | 79 | unlabeled photographs and membership cards |
undated |
| 2 | 80 | certificates and awards |
1926, 1928, 1940 |
| 2 | 81 | unidentified group photo of the Univ. of Idaho
Thomas Keith is in front row, far right
|
undated |
| 2 | 82 | Pennsylvania State College materials |
1940s |
| 2 | 83 | miscellaneous patches
patches include: University of Idaho Basketball Tournament 1951 Patch, unidentified patch
|
undated |
| 3 | 84 | clippings |
1944 |
| 3 | 85 | "The German Rationing System" |
July 21, 1944 |
| 3 | 86 | "Food Policy in Liberated Europe: Memorandum by the Ministry of Food" |
undated |
| 3 | 87 | "Functional Manual: German Food and Agriculture Administration" |
undated |
| 3 | 88 | certificates |
November 19, 1952 |
| 3 | 89 | photograph of Class II Civil Affair Training School at Yale University |
December 1943 |
| 3 | 90 | "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
|
1976 |
| 3 | 91 | "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
|
1976 |
| 3 | 92 | handwritten notes |
undated |
| 3 | 93 | handwritten letters to Helen, family |
1940s |
| 3 | 94 | handwritten letters to Helen |
1942 |
| 3 | 95 | handwritten letters to Helen, family |
1943 |
| 3 | 96 | handwritten letters to Helen, family |
1943 |
| 3 | 97 | military correspondence and handwritten letters to Helen, family |
1943 |
| 3 | 98 | handwritten letters to Helen, family |
1944 |
| 3 | 99 | handwritten letters to Helen, family |
1944 |
| 3 | 100 | handwritten letters to Helen, family |
1944 |
| 3 | 101 | handwritten letters to Helen, family |
1945 |
| 3 | 102 | handwritten letters to Helen, family |
1945 |
| 3 | 103 | handwritten letters to Helen, family |
1945 |
| 3 | 104 | military correspondence, power of attorney documents |
1943, 1953 |
| 3 | 105 | photographs
see note in folder regarding location of items
|
undated |
| 3 | 106 | information provided by donor |
2021 |
| 4 | oversize artifacts from WWII
items inlude: Nazi SS helmet, Nazi uniform breastplate, various WWII pins, eating utensils, metal containers, hand-pulled siren, leather wallet
|
1940s |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Correspondence
- Love-letters
- Universities and colleges
- World War, 1939-1945
Finding aid prepared by Sara Szobody.
2022
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
