Iver W. Carlson (1895-1972) was a soldier in the First World War and a Seattle City Light employee who took an interest in veteran's affairs and military history. Born in Boulder Colorado, Carlson moved back and forth between Washington State and Colorado several times during his childhood years. In 1915, he began attending the University of Washington as a pre-Law student. He joined the National Guard in 1916 and served in the United States Army during World War I in the 41st and then the 1st Infantry Division. Carlson was wounded in action in July 1918, for which he received a Purple Heart in 1945. After the war, he worked for Seattle City Light and resumed his studies at the University of Washington, graduating with a degree in business administration in 1922. Between 1930 and 1944, Carlson lived at the Veterans' Affairs facility at American Lake, Washington. He subsequently moved to Los Angeles, California, where he was living at the time of his death. Carlson claimed to be a cousin of the film actor, Richard Carlson, and the grandson of preacher, Albert Lea.
Manuscript of "A Private in World War I", no date. "A Private in World War I" is the manuscript of a military memoir by Washington State veteran, Iver W. Carlson, which also includes six appendices of clippings and typed transcriptions of other primary source material on the First World War compiled by Carlson. Carlson's original typescript includes a brief biography, formal presentation statement, and a detailed table of contents preceding the main text, which is divided into two major parts. After a brief history of the 41st Division, Carlson recounts his experiences as a private in the army from his enlistment in 1916 until his return from France in 1919. Appendices one, two, and three contain reminiscences about the men and officers of the 41st and 1st Division. Appendix four consists primarily of typed excerpts, most of them from Charles F. Horne's "Source records of the Great War." Appendix five contains an account of sinking of the U.S.S. President Lincoln by G. C. Whimsett, and "Dare-devils of destiny: true stories of gallant men," a cartoon by Frank Rentfrew and Don Dickson clipped from an issue of the Tacoma Sunday Ledger. Appendix six is a clipping from the Oregon Veteran, dated September 1940, about the National Guard. Also included is a letter to Carlson from Charles M. Gates, dated March 27, 1946, acknowledging Carlson's intention to donate the manuscript to the University of Washington. A 1946 presentation statement included among the prefatory matter indicates that Carlson completed his manuscript while living at the Veterans Hospital at American Lake (most likely by 1940). Dated and undated clippings are primarily used as illustrative matter; also includes a hand colored drawing of the 41st Division insignia.
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Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Donated by Iver Walter Carlson via C.M. Gates, 3/27/1946