Society of the 355th Infantry [RG4000.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG4000.AM: Society of the 355th Infantry. 89th Division

Records: 1919 and 1925-1980
Organization of World War I Veterans
Size: 0.5 cu.ft; 1 box

BACKGROUND NOTE

The 89th Division was organized under provisions of the Draft Law of May 18, 1917. The 355th Infantry of the 89th Division was formed at Camp Funston, Kansas on September 5, 1917. At first, the infantry was composed entirely by Nebraskans. Men from Missouri, Colorado, Arizona, and South Dakota soon joined, but it was known as “the Nebraska Regiment.” The 355th Infantry, as part of the 89th Division, was involved in the St. Mihiel Offensive, September 12-October 6, 1918, and the Meuse-Argonne campaign, October 20-November 11, 1918.

Organizations of World War I veterans were begun soon after the war ended. The Society of the 355th Infantry was formed “to preserve the memory of the 355th Infantry…and to keep alive comradeships formed while in service.” The Society began regimental reunions in 1930 and continues to gather each year in honor of fallen comrades and friends.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of one box of manuscript material arranged in five series: 1) Historical Material, 1919, 1928 and 1947; 2) Minutes, 1931-1977; 3) Bulletins, 1961-1980; 4) Programs, 1947-1980; and 5) Miscellany.

This material relates primarily to the regimental reunions of the Society of the 355th Infantry. The Historical Material of Series 1 consists of an amended constitution of the Society of the 355th Infantry, adopted in 1947. Articles of the constitution state the organization’s name, purpose, membership qualifications, duties of officers, dues and reunion guidelines. Histories of the 89th Division and the 355th Infantry of the 89th Division are also included. Series 2 consists of minutes, 1931-1977, of the Society’s business meetings and reunions. Minute entries provide information on officer elections, resolutions discussed, memorials, attendance at reunions, financial status, reports of deceased, and plans for future reunions. The Bulletins, 1961-1980, of Series 3 report on the activities held at annual meetings, reports of deceased, and future plans of the organization. Series 4 is comprised of programs, 1947-1980. These provide a schedule of events for the reunions, officers’ names, and speakers and their topics. The miscellany of Series 5 includes the national directory of the Society of the 355th Infantry, 1948; maps documenting the role of the 89th Division and the 355th Infantry during the St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne campaigns; newsletters; and newspaper clippings.

INVENTORY

Series 1 – Historical Materials, 1919, 1928 and 1947
Box 1
Folder

  1. Constitution of the Society of the 355th Infantry, 1947
  2. Summary of Operations, 89th Division in Meuse-Argonne, October 20-November 11, 1918 (reported in 1928)
  3. History of the 355th Infantry, 1919
    Official Brief History of the 89th Division, ca.1919

Series 2 – Minutes, 1931-1977

  1. 1931-1949
  2. 1950-1958
  3. 1959-1965
  4. 1966-1971
  5. 1972-1977

Series 3 – Bulletins, 1961-1980

  1. 1939-1980

Series 4 – Programs, 1947-1980

  1. 1947-1967
  2. 1968-1980

Series 5 – Miscellany

  1. Society of the 355th National Director, 1948, Maps of St. Mihiel offensive, September 12-October 6, 1918 and Meuse-Argonne campaign, October 20-November 11, 1918
  2. “The Transport Act,” May 21, 1919
    The U.S. Flag
    American Military Cemeteries and Memorials of World War I
    Newspaper clippings
  3. The Bulletin, 89th Division, 1925-1926 (vol. 1, no. 1-4, 6-7)

Subject headings:

U.S. Army. 89th Division
U.S. Army. 355th Infantry Regiment
Veterans — Nebraska
World War, 1914-1918
World War I

AIF/psw 07-23-1980

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