Jacob L. Feldman First World War correspondence

Collection — Box: WWI 4, Folder: 9

Identifier: 2017-583-w-r

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection contains correspondence between Private Jacob L. Feldman, U.S. Army, and his cousin, Jennie Vasterling during the First World War. The collection also contains two photographs of Feldman’s dog tags and a photo of his record card. Feldman served under Co. K, 354th Infantry, 89th Infantry Division, Expeditionary Forces. On September 29, 1918 while on daylight patrol near Xammes, France, Feldman engaged a machine gun nest and was killed. He was 29 years old. He was buried in St. Mihiel American Cemetary in Thiaucourt, France. He was disinterred on Jan. 31, 1922, and was sent to St. Louis with Lt. Shaw accompanying. He is buried in Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in St. Louis, MO. In this collection there were three envelopes that the donor deemed letterless. One of the envelopes that has a war censor stamp was deemed to belong to the letter dated July 27, 1918 due to the seemingly same war censor signature on the envelope and at the end of the letter. The other two envelopes are in this collection in numerical date order. Within the envelope with the postage stamp dated October 16, 1918 and with the “deceased verified” stamp had contained both letters from Jennie Vasterling but it has been deemed to belong to the letter dated October 16, 1918 due to the liquid marks located on the envelope and the letter itself.

Dates

1918 July 27-1918 October 16

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

As given by donor, “Jacob Feldman came from Russia with his mother Sarah Feldman in St. Louis, father’s name unavailable. He was 29 when he died, had no sibs and never married. Jacob was KIA on Sept. 29, 1918, on daylight patrol near Xammes, France. He engaged a machine gun nest, was hit by a machine gun bullet and killed instantly. He was buried in St. Mihiel American Cemetary in Thiaucourt, France. He was disinterred on Jan. 31, 1922, and was sent to St. Louis with Lt. Shaw accompanying. He is buried in Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.” The donor also added, “A letter with the post mark of Oct. 16, 1918, returned and marked ‘deceased 9/29/18’. A letter dated July 27, 1918, Jacob talks about his beneficiaries for his military insurance. Jacob belonged to Co. K, 354th Infantry, 89th Infantry Division. He trained at Ft. Riley, Kansas.”

Extent

0.08 Linear feet ( 1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains correspondence between Pvt. Jacob L. Feldman, USA, and his cousin, Jennie Vasterling during the First World War. Feldman served under Co. K, 354th Infantry, 89th Infantry Division.

Arrangement

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

Series 1: Correspondence from Jacob L. Feldman to Jennie Vasterling -- Series 2: Correspondence from Jennie Vasterling to Jacob L. Feldman -- Series 3: Photographs

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Joan Hoffmann.

Legal Status

Donor retains any copyright and related rights. For more information, consult original donation form.

Subjects

Correspondence -- World War, 1914-1918 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Last letters before death Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
War -- Death notification Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
War letters -- Last letters home Subject Source: Local sources
World War, 1914-1918 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1914-1918 -- Casualties Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1914-1918 -- Homefront Subject Source: Local sources
World War, 1914-1918--France Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings