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Swanson Family First and Second World War correspondence

 Collection — Box: WWII 63, Folder: 1-6, Folder: 1-6
Identifier: 2017-719-w-r

Content Description

This collection contains correspondence from T/5 George E. Swanson, USA to his parents and sister during the Second World War. It also contains correspondence from Cpl. Edwin Georg Swanson, U.S. Army, to Gerda Bohm during the First World War. The collection contains two military dog tags for Edwin Swanson, a VFW medal for Edwin Swanson, a photograph album by George E. Swanson, and a Service Prayer Book belonging to George E. Swanson.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1917 - 1919
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1944 - 1945

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. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Biographical / Historical

From the donor form, by Mark E. Swanson, son of George Edward Swanson: "Edwin Georg Swanson was born in Karlshamm, Sweden, December 24, 1888. He immigrated to the USA in early 1900's after working in Paris, France as a painter, his vocation. He married around 1919 and lived in Corona, New York after being honorably discharged from the Army. He worked as a private painter, and also was employed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for years. He died in the early 1960's. Letters were posted from France, 1918-1919. He was in the infantry as a corporal, inducted into the Army on December 8, 1917. His engagements in France included Baccarat sector, June 21st - August 4th (1918); Vesle sector, August 11th-18th (1918); and Meuse-Argonne offensive, September 26th - November 11th (1918). He was discharged from Army on May 9, 1919." -- "George Edward Swanson was born in Corona, New York on April 4, 1923 and graduated from Newton High School in Elmhurst, New York and Pratt Institute in October 1947 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as a mechanical engineer with General Electric, Schenectady, New York till his untimely death on October 11, 1950 from a medical event. He is buried in the Dunning Cemetary, Malta, Saratoga County, New York. - Letters were posted from England, 1944-1945. His war photo album encompasses his time on the Europe mainland as a technician, fifth grade, in the 3rd Infantry Division, 7th regiment. He was stationed in Austria, Germany, and France. He had entered the service on June 25, 1943 and was discharged on March 26, 1946. His photo album is his pictoral diary of his war time in Central Europe." -- According to http://www.germangenealogygroup.com/records-search/grooms.php Edwin G. Swanson married Gerda C. Bohm on August 30, 1919 in Queens, New York.

Extent

.16 Linear feet (6 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains correspondence from T/5 George E. Swanson, USA to his parents and sister during the Second World War. It also contains correspondence from Edwin Georg Swanson to Gerda Bohm during the First World War.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type, author and date.

  • Series 1, Correspondence from Edwin to Gerda
  • Series 2, Correspondence from George to his parents and sister
  • Series 3, Dog tags
  • Series 4, VFW medal
  • Series 5, Photographs (album), 1943-1945
  • Series 6, Prayer book

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Mark E. Swanson

Title
Finding Aid for the Swanson Family Second World War correspondence
Status
Completed
Author
Sharon Clairemont
Date
1/4/2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Center for American War Letters Archives, Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange CA 92866 United States