Richard K. Wilson collection, 1943-1945
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Richard K. Wilson collection
- Dates
- 1943-1945 (inclusive)19431945
- Quantity
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2 folders
- Collection Number
- MG 5809
- Summary
- World War II medals, photographs, and publications.
- 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.
- Languages
- English
Content Description
Richard Keith Wilson was a World War II veteran and for a time an Idaho resident. This collection consists of photographs from his time spent overseas, an infantry division history publication, and other printed publications relating to the divsion he served in. Also included are service pins and medals Wilson earned during his military service, including two Bronze Star medals.
Historical Note
Richard Keith Wilson was born on July 19, 1923 in Montrose, Kansas, to Harold L. and Maisie Wilson. He moved with his parents and siblings (Carl, Idanell, and Clyde) when he was about six years old to Spokane, Washington and a few years later to Desmet, Idaho. Keith graduated from Plummer High school in 1942, and he was drafted into the U. S. Army one year later.
He served with the 71st Infantry Division and saw combat in Germany and Austria. While in Austria, the divison liberated Gunskirchen Lager, a concentration camp constructed near the end of 1944. Thousands of people who were evacuated from Mauthausen and forced into death marches filled the new camp. Most were Jews from Hungary. When the 71st Division entered the camp, there were about 15,000 people imprisoned and about 1,500 had died before the division came. Keith was present during the liberation.
After Keith came home and was discharged from the military, he took over the family farm in North Idaho. He married Florence Viola Eckhardt in 1959. Keith passed away on June 19, 2017, in Spokane, Washington. In 2023, Carol Kauppila, Wilson's niece, started an endowment fund in his name at the University of Idaho.
Other Descriptive Information
Materials in this collection, including images, language, or other content, may be offensive or disturbing to some viewers. Care has been taken to clearly document the sources of these records, so that viewers may consider the historical context in which they were produced. To maintain historical accuracy, the materials appear as they were originally created. 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. Offensive Content Policy.
Use of the Collection
Preferred Citation
Author, Description or "Title" of item, date. Collection name, collection number, box, folder. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.
Photographer, "Title," date. Collection name, object ID. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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I: Photographs
Abstract: Titles came from photograph descriptions written on the back of the photographs. If a description wasn't written, a title was given by the processer.
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Description: P-51D Mustang named 'Sweet Marie II'Dates: undatedContainer: Folder 1
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Description: Keith Wilson official U.S. Army photographDates: 1943-1945Container: Folder 1
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Description: Keith Wilson somewhere in EuropeDates: 1943-1945Container: Folder 1
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Description: Florence WilsonBack of the photograph reads: 'Keith's girlfriend - and later wife, Florence.'Dates: undatedContainer: Folder 1
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Description: Woman in AustriaDates: 1943-1945Container: Folder 1
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Description: Group of servicemenBack of the photograph reads: 'Keith Wilson far right.'Dates: 1943-1945Container: Folder 1
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Description: Three servicemen at a concentration campBack of photograph reads: 'At the concentration camp they liberated in Austria. They were the first regiment to enter Austria from the west.'Dates: 1943-1945Container: Folder 1
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Description: One serviceman at concentration campDates: 1943-1945Container: Folder 1
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II: Publications
Other Descriptive Information
WARNING: This porition of the collection contains graphic materials. 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.
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Description: The Seventy-First Came...to Gunskirchen LagerThis pamphlet was produced by the United States Army after the liberation of the Gunskirchen Lager concentration camp in Austria. The 71st arrived just days before Victory in Eurpe Day (VE Day). It recounts in detail and graphic photos what was found at the camp.Dates: 04 May 1945Container: Folder 1
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Description: Combat Portfolio Sketches by Norman Nicholas, 71st Division Combat ArtistThis portoflio illustrating combat during World War II was prepared by the 71st Division Public Relations Office.Dates: 1943-1945Container: Folder 1
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Description: The History of the 71st Infantry DivisionPrepared by members of the Division's public relations staff, with assistance from lower units and other staff sections, this book covers the history of the 71st from activation to final occupation days in Europe.Dates: 1946Container: Folder 1
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III: World War II Medals and Pins
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Description: Bronze Star Medals (2)2 itemsContainer: Folder 2
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Description: Richard K. Wilson's dog tags (2)2 itemsDates: 1943-1945Container: Folder 2
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Description: Combat Infantry Badge1 item : sterling silver, blue enamelDates: 1943-1945Container: Folder 2
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Description: USSR Soviet Army red star pin1 item : red enamel star pinContainer: Folder 2
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Description: U. S. Army Good Conduct uniform ribbons (4)4 items : uniform ribbons (two without pins), red fabric squares with three white vertical lines on each sideContainer: Folder 2
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Description: Bronze Star uniform ribbon (2)2 items : rectangular uniform ribbon (one without pin), majority red with white and blue linesContainer: Folder 2
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Description: Uniform RibbonIncludes Bronze Star ribbon, Good Conduct ribbon, and European Theater ribbon.Container: Folder 2
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Description: Good Conduct button hole pinContainer: Folder 2
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Description: Bronze Star button hole pins (2)2 itemsContainer: Folder 2
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IV: Miscellaneous
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Description: Envelope addressed to Miss Idanell WilsonOn the envelope is a purple "Win The War" stamp.Dates: undatedContainer: Folder 2
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Description: Fifth Infantry World War II European Phase mapContainer: Folder 2
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- World War, 1939-1945
Personal Names
- Wilson, Richard Keith, 1923-2017
Titles within the Collection
- United States. Army
