Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Soldier from Ann Arbor, Mich., member of 337th Field Hospital who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes photographs taken during training at Camp Custer, Michigan and while in Russia; also photos of Michigan National Guard troops at Camp Grayling, Michigan; and photographs of the Nordman family in Ann Arbor, and of the Merchants Delivery Company, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The album contains ca. 80 photographs, including scenes of men at Camp Custer, on board ship, and on patrol in Russia, an ice-covered river, barracks scenes, pictures of Russian people and scenery, prisoners, warships on a river, and scenes of men in Brest, France. Also included is a large group portrait of the 337th Field Hospital taken at Camp Custer, a snapshot of a 1968 Polar Bear Association ceremony, photos of the Michigan National Guard at Camp Grayling in the 1920s, photos of the Merchants Delivery Company Ann Arbor, and family scenes in Ann Arbor.

Career army officer, speechwriter for military and political figures on army-related topics. Speeches, diaries, 1971 and 1973, copy of his mystery novel, and photographs.

The papers of Marvin M. Meerse consist of one linear foot of material and cover the years 1943-1978. Though the collection includes both professional and personal papers, the vast majority of the papers are professional, mostly texts of speeches written by Meerse from 1955 to 1968.

As these speeches are often discussions of freedom, containment, and the threat of communism, they provide insight into the soldier's perspective on these topics. Included in the collection are speeches written by Meerse for generals: A.C. McAuliffe, Bruce C. Clarke, Paul Freeman, Dwight Beach, C.H. Bonisteel, Creighton W. Abrams, Jr., George T. Duncan, Louis W. Truman, and W.C. Garrison. There is also a speech written by Meerse and delivered by President John Kennedy and speeches by Attorney General Robert Kennedy and Secretary of the Army Wilber Brucker, presumably also written by Meerse.

Publisher of the Adrian Telegram at Adrian, Michigan. Scrapbooks containing newspaper editorials primarily on political subjects; and miscellaneous correspondence and articles concerning his newspaper work; notes, 1899-1950, relating to his foreign travels, papers, 1935-1955, concerning his interest in meteorites; and photographs.

The collection has been arranged into the following series: Adrian Telegram, Correspondence, Speeches and Articles, Other activities and interests, Programs of meetings and annual dinners, Newspaper clippings, and Photographs.