Indiana University War Service Register, 1920-1946

Online content

Some materials from this collection are available online.
Show only online content

Summary

Creator:
Indiana University. Alumni Office
Abstract:
The Alumni Office's War Service Register contains records relating to the men and women of Indiana University who served in a U.S. war between 1860 and 1945 (i.e., the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, the first World War, or the second World War).
Extent:
12.2 cubic feet (19 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English
Preferred citation:

[Item], Indiana University War Service Register, Collection C502, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

Background

Administrative History:

The Office of the Alumni Secretary, led by Humphrey M. Barbour in the 1920s, compiled the initial (pre-World War II) War Service Register of Alumni and Former Students, which provided information about Indiana University alumni and former students who served in a U.S. war between 1860 and 1920. The Alumni Office collated the register using alumni responses to a memo requesting information sent in the early 1920s. The memo, mailed to all persons associated with Indiana University, reads, in part:

"The University is compiling a record of its alumni and former students who served in the war against Germany, whether they were in the army, navy, welfare work, or non-military government service, such as Council of Defense, draft registration, etc. This register will be the official historical record of the service rendered by the men and women of Indiana University during the war.

In order that this work may be completed as soon as possible you are requested to fill and return AT ONCE the attached form. Remember that this is to be a permanent historical record. Do not let a false sense of modesty interfere with the completeness of your account of your service."

During and after the end of World War II, the Alumni Office, then under the charge of George F. Heighway, repeated this same process. Besides serving as a tool to encourage subscription to the IU Alumni Magazine, the letters were also used to find out information about soldiers listed as "missing in action." Heighway often communicated with parents of MIA or POW soldiers.

Scope and Content Note:

Used to the compile the original Golden Book housed at the Indiana Memorial Union (listing every IU alum who served in war), the War Service Register of Alumni and Former Students provides information on Indiana University alumni and former students who served in a U.S. war between 1860 and 1945 (i.e., the Mexican War, Civil War, the Spanish-American War, the first World War, or the second World War). The Alumni Office requested that each alum provide his or her name, degree, class year, dates of service, date of discharge, rank, and record. The amount of information provided, however, varies from student to student.

For those students serving in World War II, the material is much more comprehensive and often includes newspaper clippings and correspondence between IU and the enlistee and/or his or her parents. The Record (filled out by alumni) included, among others, blanks for present service address, previous stations, and the question "are you receiving the alumni magazine?"

The collection is organized into two series: Pre-World War II War Service Register and World War II War Service Register.

Four sub-series, each arranged alphabetically by last name within each box, comprise the Pre-World War II War Service Register: male students who served actively in the military, male students in non-military (government) service, female students, and killed in action. Each name is listed out in this finding aid.

The World War II War Service Register is arranged alphabetically by last name. At the time of processing one box of records were missing which includes the names ending with T through Z. The second sub-series, Killed in Action Records, records information for those students killed in action during the war and includes the date and place of death, place of burial, and who furnished the information. Photographs were pulled from nearly every folder. A third sub-series, Lists and Correspondence, contains general correspondence with Heighway as well as partial war service lists as the Alumni Office worked to gather information and compile a complete list.

Acquisition information:
Accession 0166, 0684, 1181
Processing Information:

Processed by Alessandro G. Meregaglia, Allison Haack, Abi Parker, et al.

Completed in 2015

Arrangement:

Collection is organized into two series: Pre-World War II War Service Register, further organized into Men's, Women's, and Non-Military Service and World War II War Service Register, further organized into War Service and Killed in Action Records.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Advance notice is required for access to the collection.

Terms of access:

Copyrights for records originating with Indiana University administrative units, departments, and other offices are held by the Trustees of Indiana University. For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.

The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials. Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.

Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.

Preferred citation:

[Item], Indiana University War Service Register, Collection C502, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

Location of this collection:
Herman B Wells Library E460
1320 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
Visit the University Archives
Before you visit:
Campus:
Indiana University Bloomington
Contact:
812-855-1127
archives@iu.edu