Lawrence W. Crouse, 1896- [RG3781.AM]

NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG3781.AM:  Lawrence W. Crouse, 1896-

Papers:  1917-1919

Thompson, Jefferson County, Neb.:  WWI soldier

Size:  1 box; 0.5 cu.ft.

BACKGROUND NOTE

Lawrence W. Crouse was born on March 19, 1896. In September of 1917 he entered the U.S. Army, receiving his basic training at Camp Funston, Kansas. In April of 1918, Crouse was transferred overseas, beginning thirteen months of service with the American Expeditionary Force in France and Germany. While a member of the 121st Machine Gun Battalion of the 32nd Division, Crouse saw action at Chateau Theirry, Sossions, and the Meuse-Argonne. He was with his unit in the front lines at the armistice on November 11, 1918, and served in the army of occupation until April of 1919.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of one manuscript box of material arranged in three series: 1) Correspondence, 1917-1919; 2) Printed matter; and 3) Miscellany. The bulk of this material consists of correspondence relating to Crouse’s military service at Camp Funston, Kansas, and in France and Germany with the A.E.F. Due to military censorship, the correspondence contains little reference to the military aspects of the First World War. The correspondence consists entirely of letters written by Crouse to his parents, his sisters Emma, Clara, and Cora, and to his brother Homer. The printed matter consists primarily of random issues of the A.E.F. Newspaper, Stars and Stripes, September 1918-May 1919.

Note:  See the photo component [RG3781.PH] for related images.

DESCRIPTION

Series 1 – Correspondence, 1917-1919

1. 1. 1917, Sept.-Dec.

1. 1. 1918, Jan.-Dec.

1. 1. 1919, Jan.-Apr.

Series 2 – Printed Matter

1. 1. Military induction papers and passes

1. 1. Maps and historical data regarding the 32nd Division

1. 1. Souvenir picture postcards from France and Germany

1. 1. Newspapers, including random issues of Stars and Stripes, September 1918-May 1919

1. 1. Newspapers, including random issues of Stars and Stripes, September 1918-May 1919

1. 1. Portion of the Sunday New York Times, May 18, 1919, containing a history of the 32nd Division

1. 1. “The World’s Greatest War,” magazine containing maps and photographs, n.d.

Series 3 – Miscellany

1. 1. Includes: Program for a reception given in honor of the Jefferson County soldiers, August 30, 1918
      
      Examples of envelopes used for soldier’s mail from Europe, 1918-1919
      
      Reminiscence

Camp Funston (Kans.)

Crouse, Lawrence W., 1896-

Military training camps — United States

United States. Army — Military life

United States. Army. Infantry Division, 32nd

World War, 1914-1918 — Nebraska — Jefferson County

World War, 1914-1918 — Regimental histories — United States — 32nd Division

DJR/JEP/ab   05-08-1968

Encoded TMM   03-16-2010