Soldiers' memorabilia and military service related manuscriptsMS.0287Virginia Military Institute Archives

VMI ArchivesPreston LibraryLexington, VA 24450Business Number: 540-464-7516archives@vmi.eduURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-04-09 17:50:50 -0400.Description is written in: Undetermined, Code for undetermined script script. Virginia Military Institute Archives Soldiers' memorabilia and military service related manuscripts MS.0287 /repositories/3/resources/707 0.5 Linear Feet 1917-1994 Manuscripts stacks English . Scope and Contents

This collection consists of documents and printed material dating from World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf War. Most items were donated by VMI alumni and they represent the types of items retained by returning soldiers.

 Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions

 Conditions Governing Use

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

 Preferred Citation

Soldiers' memorabilia and military service related manuscripts. Manuscript # 0287. Virginia Military Institute Archives

 Memorabilia Soldiers World War, 1914-1918 World War, 1939-1945 Vietnam War (1961-1975) Persian Gulf War (1991) World War I/repositories/3/archival_objects/4081Harris, Oliver E.Howard, Richard J. (Richard Jackson), ?-1916George V, King of Great Britain, 1865-19363 items1918-1922English.Scope and Contents

The Oliver E. Harris material (one item) consists of a printed postcard that features the achievements of the 1st Division, Allied Expeditionary Forces.

The Richard J. Howard material (two items) consists of documents from the British government sent to Howard's mother that relate to his war service. One item details the receipt of medals while the other is a document from King George V recognizing his service.

Biographical / Historical

Oliver E. Harris was from Rockbridge County, Virginia. He served in Company H., 18th Infantry, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces.

Richard J. Howard, VMI Class of 1915, was a Second Lieutenant, British Expeditionary Forces, Black Watch. He was killed in action in France on March 17, 1916.

World War, 1914-1918United States. Army—American Expeditionary ForcesGreat Britain. -- Army. -- British Expeditionary ForcePostcardsHarris, Oliver E.Postcard, Oliver E. Harris/repositories/3/archival_objects/5466Harris, Oliver E.1918English.Transcription

First American Troops to Land in France and last to go home

FIRST
in sector.
to shoot at Germans.
to attack.
to conduct a raid.
to be raided.
to capture prisoners.
to suffer casualties.
Sto be cited singly in general orders.
in number of division, corps and Army Commanders and General Staff Officers produced from its personnel.
In front line 220 days.
Captured 163 officers and 6,304 men, 119 pieces of field artillery, 62 trench mortars, 413 machine guns.
Casualties 21,612.
Killed and died of wounds 4,411.
Replacements received 30,206.
Distinguished service crosses won 356.

Scope and Contents

Printed postcard that features the achievements of the 1st Division, Allied Expeditionary Forces.

PostcardsMemorabiliaUnited States. Army—American Expeditionary ForcesWorld War, 1914-1918Harris, Oliver E.Letter, Richard J. Howard receipt of medals/repositories/3/archival_objects/54671922 May 31English.Scope and Contents

Letter from the British government to Richard J. Howard's mother. The letter transmitts the Star British War and Victory Medals.

Great Britain. -- Army. -- British Expeditionary ForceWorld War, 1914-1918CorrespondenceHoward, Richard J. (Richard Jackson), ?-1916Recognition of service, Richard J. Howard/repositories/3/archival_objects/5468George V, King of Great Britain, 1865-19361922English.Scope and Contents

One document from King George V that recognizes Richard J. Howard's service.

Great Britain. -- Army. -- British Expeditionary ForceCorrespondenceWorld War, 1914-1918Howard, Richard J. (Richard Jackson), ?-1916World War II/repositories/3/archival_objects/42951941-1945English.World War, 1939-1945MemorabiliaThomas E. Snyder/repositories/3/archival_objects/40822 items1942-1944English.Scope and Contents

This folder consists of two items, including a Military Identification Card (1942) and a printed circular from General Dwight D. Eisenhower distributed to soldiers prior to D-Day, 1944.

Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1940Military recordsWorld War, 1939-1945Circular lettersSnyder, Thomas E. (Thomas Earl)Richard E. Traver/repositories/3/archival_objects/3102Traver, Richard E. (Richard Edward)1937-1944English.Scope and Contents

This file consists of items related to Richard E. Traver's (VMI Class of 1941) military service, including:

  • Letter written in Chinese from the Section of Military Affairs, Department of War, Nanking, China (1937)
  • Christmas card (1944)
  • Flyer (1944)
  • Europe Road Map Series, 1:1,000,000 A.M.S. 6303, First Edition - AMS 1, France, Army Map Service, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army (1944)
  • V-Mail "Greetings from Britain"
  • Excerpts of letters exchanged by American and German Commanders at Brest, France

World War, 1939-1945—CorrespondenceVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1941V-mailCorrespondenceMilitary mapsTraver, Richard E. (Richard Edward)D-Day to St. Lo certificate/repositories/3/archival_objects/4296Gerhardt, Charles H., Major General1 items1945English.Scope and Contents

Certificate issued Lieutenant Colonel Philip W. "Eli" Root (VMI Class of 1918), 29th Infantry Division, certifying his service from "D-Day to St. Lo." Certificate is signed by Major General Charles H. Gerhardt.

World War, 1939-1945United States. -- Army. -- Infantry Division, 29thVirginia Military Institute—Class of 1918CertificatesRoot, Philip W.Vietnam War/repositories/3/archival_objects/4084Seargeant, Billy M.Warrington, James M.Gray, Jan M.1961-1975English.Scope and Contents

This folder includes:

  • A Safe Conduct Pass for Billy M. Seargeant (VMI Class of 1968)
  • Certificates issued by the Vietnamese government (Jan Gray, VMI Class of 1963)
  • Printed material (James M. Warrington, VMI Class of 1948B)

Vietnam War (1961-1975)MemorabiliaCertificatesSeargeant, Billy M.Warrington, James M.Gray, Jan M.Persian Gulf War/repositories/3/archival_objects/4085Kowadlo, Keith7 itemsEnglish.Scope and Contents

This folder includes:

  • Receipt for property given to citizens by United States soldiers
  • Propaganda leaflet dropped on Iraqi troops
  • Card written by schoolchildren to United States soldiers
  • Calendar page (in Arabic) featuring a photo of Saddam Hussein

Persian Gulf War (1991)PropagandaReceipts (financial records)