Arthur L. Hecht papers
Content Description
This collection contains the diaries, photographs and realia of Col. Arthur L. Hecht, USA from during and after the Second World War, Korean War, and the rest of his military career. Included are 25 handwritten daily diaries, two travel diaries and two address books, several photographs, Col. Hecht's medals and some post-war awards, various military patches, drawing and naviationg instruments, one piece of correspondence and some memos, clippings, and a folded American flag from his funeral.
Dates
- 1941-05-28 - 1980-10-30
Creator
- Hecht, Arthur Lee, 1915-1980 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.
Biographical / Historical
Arthur Lee Hecht (1915-1980) was a Jewish-American born in New Jersey that joined the United States Army in 1941, serving in Battery E, 52nd Coast Artillery (Railway) at Fort Hancock, NJ. By 1943, Hecht was promoted to Captain and served as Commanding Officer of Battery B, 3rd Antiaircraft Training Battalion at Fort Eustis, Virginia, and then as the CO of Battery A, 573rd Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion (or Automatic Weapons Battalion) at Camp Edwards in Massachusetts in April 1944. In December he married his wife Ruth (entry in address book lists anniversary, one says "Ours Dec 8 1944, and travel diaries confirm Ruth as his wife).
Eventually, Captain Hecht entered the Second World War in Europe and earned several medals for his participation in the fighting. Much of his experience is covered in his miniature, handwritten diaries included with this collection, and the 1944-1945 diaries are transcribed. Following the war, Hecht served at Fort Bliss in Texas during renovations in 1948, joined the occupation of Japan where he was stationed in 1951 until he joined the fighting in the Korean War.
Throughout his life, Col. Hecht lived in New Jersey, Virginia, Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, North Carolina, and Japan, and California. His parents lived in Florida, New York and Ontario, California and he mentions visiting them in his diaries. He and his wife took several trips later in life, first to Europe, then Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and Israel.
Hecht was eventually promoted to Colonel and retired from the Army in 1964. He moved to Los Angeles where he died on October 30, 1980.
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet (1 carton, 1 box, 2 frames)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains the diaries, photographs and realia of Col. Arthur L. Hecht, USA created between 1941-1980.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by material type.
Series 1, Diaries and address books
Series 2, Correspondence and memos
Series 3, Photographs
Series 4, Postcards and stamps
Series 5, Clippings
Series 6, Medals
Series 7, Patches
Series 8, Instruments
Series 9, Plaques
Series 10, Flag
Physical Location
Leatherby Libraries.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection is a purchase from The Book Shop.
Condition Description
Good.
- Korean War, 1950-1953. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. -- Army. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. -- Army. -- Field Artillery Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Battlefields -- France Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Equipment and supplies Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- France Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Homefront Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Newspapers Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- North Africa Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Photography Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Poetry Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Psychological aspects Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- United States -- Equipment and supplies -- Pictorial works. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War II Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Arthur L. Hecht diaries, photographs and realia
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Andrew Harman
- Date
- 5/16/2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries Repository
