University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Richard K. Wilson collection
MG 5809
2 folders
1943-1945
Fair.
World War II medals, photographs, and publications.
This collection is located in the Small Manuscripts area of U of I Library Special Collections and Archives.
English
.
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.
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.
Collection is open for research.
These materials were donated in 2023 by Carol Kauppila, Richard K. Wilson's niece.
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.
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.
Wilson, Richard Keith, 1923-2017
World War, 1939-1945
Idaho
Photographs
United States. Army
Photographs
I
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.
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
undated
Back of the photograph reads: 'Keith's girlfriend - and later wife, Florence.'
1
Woman in Austria
1943-1945
1
Group of servicemen
1943-1945
Back of the photograph reads: 'Keith Wilson far right.'
1
Three servicemen at a concentration camp
1943-1945
Back of photograph reads: 'At the concentration camp they liberated in Austria. They were the first regiment to enter Austria from the west.'
1
One serviceman at concentration camp
1943-1945
1
Publications
II
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.
The Seventy-First Came...to Gunskirchen Lager
04 May 1945
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.
1
Combat Portfolio Sketches by Norman Nicholas, 71st Division Combat Artist
1943-1945
This portoflio illustrating combat during World War II was prepared by the 71st Division Public Relations Office.
1
The History of the 71st Infantry Division
1946
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.
1
World War II Medals and Pins
III
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
2
Miscellaneous
IV
Envelope addressed to Miss Idanell Wilson
undated
On the envelope is a purple "Win The War" stamp.
2
Fifth Infantry World War II European Phase map
2