Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Richard K. Wilson collection, 1943-1945
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Richard K. Wilson collection
- Dates
- 1943-1945 (inclusive)19431945
- Quantity
-
2 folders
- Collection Number
- MG 5809
- Summary
- World War II medals, photographs, and publications.
- 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.
- Languages
- English
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Richard Keith Wilson was a World War II veteran and an for a time an Idaho resident. This collection consists of photographs from his time spent overseas, an infantry division history publication, and a few other printed publications relating to the division he served in. Also included are service pins and medals Wilson earned during his military service, including two Bronze Star Medals.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
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 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 division 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 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
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 InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
I: PhotographsReturn to Top
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.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Folder | ||
| 1 | P-51D Mustang named 'Sweet Marie II' |
undated |
| 1 | Keith Wilson official U.S. Army photograph |
1943-1945 |
| 1 | Keith Wilson somewhere in Europe |
1943-1945 |
| 1 | Florence Wilson Back of the photograph reads: 'Keith's girlfriend - and later wife, Florence.'
|
undated |
| 1 | Woman in Austria |
1943-1945 |
| 1 | Group of servicemen Back of the photograph reads: 'Keith Wilson far right.'
|
1943-1945 |
| 1 | Three servicemen at a concentration camp Back of photograph reads: 'At the concentration camp they liberated in Austria. They were the first regiment to enter Austria from the west.'
|
1943-1945 |
| 1 | One serviceman at concentration camp |
1943-1945 |
II: PublicationsReturn to Top
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
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.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Folder | ||
| 1 | The Seventy-First Came...to Gunskirchen Lager This 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.
|
04 May 1945 |
| 1 | Combat Portfolio Sketches by Norman Nicholas, 71st Division Combat Artist This portoflio illustrating combat during World War II was prepared by the 71st Division Public Relations Office.
|
1943-1945 |
| 1 | The History of the 71st Infantry Division Prepared 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.
|
1946 |
III: World War II Medals and PinsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Folder | ||
| 2 | Bronze Star Medals (2) 2 items
|
|
| 2 | Richard K. Wilson's dog tags (2) 2 items
|
1943-1945 |
| 2 | Combat Infantry Badge
1 item : sterling silver, blue enamel
|
1943-1945 |
| 2 | USSR Soviet Army red star pin
1 item : red enamel star pin
|
|
| 2 | 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 side
|
|
| 2 | Bronze Star uniform ribbon (2)
2 items : rectangular uniform ribbon (one without pin), majority red with white and blue lines
|
|
| 2 | Uniform Ribbon Includes Bronze Star ribbon, Good Conduct ribbon, and European Theater ribbon.
|
|
| 2 | Good Conduct button hole pin |
|
| 2 | Bronze Star button hole pins (2) 2 items
|
IV: MiscellaneousReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Folder | ||
| 2 | Envelope addressed to Miss Idanell Wilson On the envelope is a purple "Win The War" stamp.
|
undated |
| 2 | Fifth Infantry World War II European Phase map |
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
Finding aid prepared by Sara Szobody.
2023
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
