Donald Leon Mills collection, 1942-2013
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Mills, Donald Leon, 1924-2023
- Title
- Donald Leon Mills collection
- Dates
- 1942-2013 (bulk)19422013
- Quantity
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1.5 cubic feet, (1 banker box, 1 scrapbook box)
- Collection Number
- MG 651
- Summary
- Photographs, books, and records relating to Donald Leon Mills and his time on the European front in World War II, primarily Italy and France.
- 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
Scrapbooks, books, and military information, and photographs taken by Donald Leon Mills while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, primarily in Italy and France. Also images from when he was a student at the University of Idaho after WWII.
Historical Note
Donald Leon Mills was born 12 August 1924 in Port Orchard, Washington to Lloyd D. Mills and Lucy Mills. Mills married Audrey A. Johnson on 18 October 1936. He joined the University of Idaho in 1942 before taking a leave of absence in 1943 to join the United States Army. Mills received ASTP Radio Operator School in Syracuse, New York. He was part of the 104th Infantry, worked as a company clerk and as a Scout rising to the rank of Private First Class. He served on the European Front, primarily in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was awarded the following medals: World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Croix De Guerre with Palm, French Fourragere, Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged from the Army on 8 January 1946 and then from the Navy as a Seaman Apprentice on 29 May 1953 following years of inactivity. After World War II, Mills returned to the University of Idaho and received a Bachelor of Music in either 1947 or 1948. Mills and his wife immigrated to Canada in 1961. Audrey Johnson Mills died 2 April 2023. Don L. Mills died 25 December 2023.
Use of the Collection
Preferred Citation
FOR PHOTOS Photographer, "Title," date. Collection name, object ID. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.
FOR DOCUMENTS Author, Description or "Title" of item, date. Collection name, collection number, box, folder. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Series 1:
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Description: Photocopies of Enlistment/Military Records11 items : **Some materials contains personal information** Includes copies of Discharge Certificate, Separation Qualification Record, Transcript from Enlisted Record, and list of travels.Dates: 1942-1953Container: Box 1, Folder 1
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Description: Articles and Correspondence on Regiment History4 items : Article from The New American on The Battle of the Bulge, letter regarding book inquiry, book list, Newspaper issue of Grapevine 26th Infantry Division.Dates: 1945-2013Container: Box 1, Folder 2
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Description: Photographs34 items : Photographs from Mill's time in the Army in Europe and from his return to the University of Idaho.Dates: 1942-1947Container: Box 1, Folder 3
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Description: Luxembourg postcards1 item : Souvenir postcard pack from Luxembourg.Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 4
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Description: History of a Combat Regiment 104th Infantry1 item : Book with name plate belonging to Donald Leon Mills.Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Object 5
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Description: 26th Infantry Division History World War II1 item : Book.Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Object 6
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Description: D.L.M. in the Army scrapbook1 item : Scrapbook with photographs from Mills' time in Basic Training, military photographs, Mill with family on last leave before being sent overseas.Dates: 1942-1943Container: Box 1, Object 7
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Description: D.L.M. in Italy scrapbook1 item : Scrapbook with photographs from Mills' time in Italy, featuring people and military personnel, landscapes.Dates: 1945Container: Box 1, Object 8
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Description: D.L.M. in France, Again/Homeward Bound/Wartime Buddies1 item : Scrapbook with photographs of France, including landmarks, people, Mills' in Moscow at the University of Idaho.Dates: 1945-1946Container: Box 1, Object 9
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Description: Red Scrapbook 11 item : Red Scrapbook with photographs of Paris, France, military members, and men on a ship likely heading back to the United States.Dates: 1945-1946Container: Box 2, Object 10
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Description: Red Scrapbook 21 item : Red Scrapbook with photographs from around Italy, likely in 1945. Includes photographs of Rome, Pisa, Florence and military personnel.Dates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Object 11
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Photographs
- University of Idaho
- World War, 1939-1945
Geographical Names
- Europe
