Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

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Collection

Godfrey J. Anderson papers, Undated

1 volume (86 pages)

Online
"The 337th field hospital in north Russia, 1918-1919," a reminiscence of a soldier in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

The reminiscence describes his training at Camp Custer, the journey to Russia, the Russian countryside and towns, hospital work in Shenkursk, Ust Vaga and Osinova, fighting at Nijni Gora, Jan. 1919, the evacuation of Shenkursk, Jan. 1919, and his return to the United States. It includes sketch maps of the Dvina-Vaga front and of the battle at Nijni Gora and Ust Padenga, Jan. 19, 1919.

Collection

Everett C. Cogswell postcards, October 3, 1918-November 22, 1918

2 digital files (2.66 MB)

Online
Papers of a soldier who served as a cook in the 310th Engineer Regiment, Company B during the American intervention in North Russia, 1918-1920.

This collection contains digital reproductions; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into one series, Postcards. Within this series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The files in this collection are in JPG format.

Files include three digitized postcards sent by Cogswell while he was serving in Russia. All three postcards feature maritime scenes of Archangel. The messages on the postcard are dated October 3, October 7, and November 22, 1918.

Collection

Ewald H. Billeau letter, October 1918

1 item

Online
Soldier from Petoskey, Mich. who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes a letter describing his experiences as sergeant in Co. A, 1st Battalion, 310th Engineers.

This is a photocopy of a newspaper clipping containing a letter from Billeau describing living conditions and weather in Russia.

Collection

Lee J. Ward letter, January 22, 1919

1 folder

Online
Soldier from Numa, Iowa, served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes letter written from Archangel to his wife describing cold weather, daily routine, and hopes of returning home.

The letter, a photocopy, describes the weather in Archangel, his daily routine, and his hopes of going home. The original is owned by Roger L. Heiple, South Lyon, Mich.

Collection

Robert Bruce Flack papers, circa 1950-1951

7.76 MB (online)

Online
Member of the U.S. Polar Bear Expedition in Archangel, Russia; collection includes digitized photographs from Decoration Day ceremonies at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, Mich. and notes from Flack's copy of The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki.

The Robert Bruce Flack papers consist of a two series, Photographs and Annotations.

The Photographs series contains digitized images of Robert Bruce Flack with fellow veterans and family members at Decoration Day events at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, Mich. in the early 1950s. These include several images of Flack and family members in front of the cemetery's Polar Bear Monument, which was sculpted by Leon Hermant.

The Annotations series contains digital images of notes made by Flack in his copy of The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki (1920). These annotations provide details on Flack's service as a machine gunner on the Kodish and Railroad Fronts from December 1918 through April 1919.

Collection

John W. Ferguson photograph collection, circa 1919

6.12 MB (1 digital file)

Online
Papers of a soldier in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

Photograph of John W. Ferguson, a soldier in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, riding a horse in Russia, possibly in Murmansk.

Collection

Lines of communications (Dvina) station chart, circa 1919

1 maps (color; 34 x 22 cm.)

Map created by a soldier in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1919, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

The collection contains a map (not drawn to scale) collected by Heath showing the area south of Archangel, Russia along railroad and Dvina River between Bakaritza and Obozerskaya Kodish and Beresniki.

Collection

Frank P. Trimberger photograph collection, circa 1918-1919

2 digital files (3.99 MB)

Online
Scanned copy of photographs of Frank P. Trimberger, who served as a private in Company B, 310th Engineers, during the American intervention at Archangel, Russia, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

The Trimberger collection consists of a digitized portrait photo of Trimberger, in uniform, and a group photo of Trimberger and other soldiers in barracks, ca. 1918-1919.

This collection contains digital reproductions; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into one series, Photographs. Within the series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The files in this collection are in JPG format.

Collection

Aldred S. Buckler photograph collection, circa 1918-1919

4 digital files (2.14 MB)

Online
Soldier who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes photographs of Buckler in uniform.

This collection contains digital reproductions; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into one series, Photographs. Within this series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The files in this collection are in JPG and TIF format.

Files include digitized photographs of Buckler in uniform, one with his wife, the other (a multiple image) taken in Murmansk, Russia, 1918-1919..

Collection

Martin Rasmussen photograph collection, circa 1918

1 digital files (3.19 MB)

Online
Scanned copy of photograph of Martin Rasmussen, who served in Headquarters Company, 339th U.S. Infantry, during the American intervention in North Russia, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

This collection contains digital reproductions; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into one series, Photographs. The original file in this collection is in BMP format, a jpeg copy has been made for web access.

The collection consists a sinngle digitized photograph of Rasmussen, who served Headquarters Company, 339th Infantry, in uniform, ca. 1918.

Collection

[Maps of Archangel District, Russia], 4th ser., circa 1918

9 maps (color; 27 x 35 cm.)

Online
Maps created for the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1919, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

The collection contains maps (Scale 1:420,000) of the district of Archangel, Russia created by engineers of the Allied intervention in North Russia, the N.R.E.F. Mapping Section. The Bentley Historical Library has only a partial set of these maps.

Collection

Ethol Fred Nordman photograph collection, circa 1917-1924, 1968

1 volume — 1 oversize folder

Online
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.

Collection

Frank Henry Schultz photograph collection, Circa 1909-1919

1 folder

Corporal in Company B, 310th. Engineer Regiment during the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes photographs of Schultz and Schultz's family.

The collection consists of three photographs. One is a photographic postcard of Frank Henry Schultz, taken in Archangel Russia during the expedition. One is a photocopy of a Schultz family photo, which includes Frank's mother, Frank's sister Minnie Schultz Chromasta and neice Hazel Chromasta, and Frank's father. The third is a photocopy of another family photo, including Frank's mother, Frank's neices Grace Vierheilig and Hazel Chromasta, and nephew William Vierheilig.

Collection

Harold T. Glassford photograph collection, circa 1900s-1940s

0.2 linear feet — 2 oversize folders

Online
Scrapbook of World War I-era photographs and post-war personal activities, includes snapshots from Polar Bear expedition to northern Russia after World War I; also photos of post-World War I military groups and activities.
Collection

E. D. Bruce papers, 1962, 1964

5 items

Online
Member of Medical Corps, 310th Engineers, U.S. Army who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes letter and songs relating to the Polar Bear expedition to Archangel.

The papers include a short reminiscence and several songs Bruce composed about the campaign.

Collection

Carl A. Russell papers, 1950, undated

1 folder

Online
Soldier from Cleveland, Ohio, member of 167th Transportation Corps who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes roster of members, transcript of military record, and miscellanea.

The papers include a roster of the 167th Co., a transcript of Russell's military record, and miscellanea.

Collection

Polar Bear Association photograph collection, 1930

1 envelope

Online
Photographs of memorial ceremonies at the Polar Bear Memorial in White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery, Troy, Michigan.

The collection contains photographs from unknown sources and includes scenes of the burial of the bodies returned in 1929 and memorial services at the Polar Bear Memorial at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery.

Collection

Walter F. Dundon papers, 1929, 1969

2 folders

Online
Soldier from Frankfurt, Mich., member of Co. M, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes diary and reminiscences relating to his trip to Russia in 1929 to recover the bodies of members of the Archangel Expedition killed and buried in the Soviet Union.

The papers contain a diary, July-Oct. 1929, describing the search for bodies, memories of the Russian people about the American soldiers, living conditions, and his memories of the area; and a typescript reminiscence, 1969, describing his mission, problems with the Russian authorities, the return of the bodies, and the reinterment ceremony at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery.

Collection

Howard S. Saunders papers, 1919 and undated

2 oversize photographs

Two oversize photographs (original and copy) depicting Company A, 339th United States Infantry, which served in the Allied intervention in Northern Russia, 1918-1919, also known as the "Polar Bear Expedition." The original photograph was taken in June 1919 in Brest, France when the Company returned from Russia.

Collection

Hugo K. Salchow papers, 1919, 1971

15 items — 3 audiocassettes — 1.52 GB

Online
Member of Co. G, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes partial transcript of interview recounting his experiences with the Polar Bear Expedition; and miscellanea collected at the time of the expedition.

The tapes contain two interviews conducted in Dec. 1971 by Sheldon Annis, in which Salchow describes his general memories of the campaign, the Russian people, Archangel, relations with British and French troops, his experiences at Camp Custer, machine gun training, army food, the mutiny of Co. I, and the morale of the troops. A partial transcript of one of the interviews is included in the papers, along with issues of The Trident, published aboard the U.S.S. Von Steuben while returning from Russia, six post cards of Archangel scenes, and some Russian money.

Collection

John Boren papers, 1919, 1957-1962

1 folder

Online
Member of Co. A, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes clippings relating to the campaign, post cards of Archangel and France, and a YMCA Russian phrase book.

The papers contain clippings regarding the 339th Infantry's arrival in France, June 1919, and later clippings regarding the return of bodies and the campaign in general. Also included are post cards of Archangel and France and a YMCA Russian phrase book.

Collection

Gilbert T. Shilson papers, 1919, 1929

1 folder

Online
Member of Co. K, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes citation from French government for bravery in combat in 1918; and photographs.

A photocopy of a citation for bravery from the French government and photographs taken at the ceremonies at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery during which the bodies of American soldiers returned from Russia were reinterred.

Collection

Keith Chriswell papers, 1919

1 item

Online
Member of Co. F, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes a letter to his cousin, Mrs. Thomas Dittrich, describing in general terms his activities in Russia.

Photocopy of a letter to Chriswell's cousin Mrs. Thomas Dittrich describing in general terms his activities in Russia.

Collection

C. E. Riordan Papers, 1919

1 folder — 5 digital files

Online
Papers of a soldier in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

Letters describing Riodan's experiences in Russia.

Collection

North Russia pictures / taken by John E. Wilson, 1919

1 item

John E. Wilson, of Russell, Kansas, was chaplain of the North Russia Transportation Corps, a unit of the U.S. Army that served in the Murmansk region of Russia from April to July, 1919, during the Allied intervention against the Communist revolutionary government in Russia. Wilson's North Russia Pictures contains about 370 images of the work of the North Russia Transportation Corps. This finding aid describes a series of Wilson's photographs making up portions of three collections at the Bentley Historical Library: John William Grier photograph collection, Frank J. McGrath photograph album, and Fred E. Minard photograph collection

John E. Wilson's "North Russia Pictures" contains about 370 images of the work of the North Russia Transportation Corps. Each photo is numbered on the verso, with the numbers corresponding to Wilson's sales list. This list of photos is copied from Wilson's original sales list. All misspellings are Wilson's. A few numbers are omitted or used more than once. For each picture there is an indication of which collection or collections include the photo. A few of Wilson's pictures are not included in any of the three collections.

The photos document the entire history of the Transportation Corps, from their organization in France, to travel through England and by sea to Russia, service in Russia, and then travel by sea back to France and back to the United States. The last pictures are of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of France.

The work of the Transportation Corps in Russia is presented in detail, with pictures of patrols, the aftermath of battles, railroad construction and maintenance, camps, and recreational activities. There are many pictures of soldiers, some identified but many unidentified by name. Also pictures of Russian scenery and people.

In the McGrath collection the photos are pasted into an album, so the numbers cannot be seen. The photos are presented in the album in numerical order, with the captions copied from Wilson's sales list. The Grier and Minard collections consist of loose photos, arranged in numerical order.

Collection

Maps of Archangel District, Russia, 1919

1 maps (on 6 sheets; color; 118 x 137 cm.; 77 x 56 cm.)

Online
Maps created for the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1919, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

The collection contains maps (Scale 1:420,000) of the district of Archangel, Russia created in 1918 by engineers of the Allied intervention in North Russia, the 1st Battalion, 310th U.S. Engineers. The maps were published by the Allied Mapping Section. This copy contains only five of the six sheets published. Another copy of this map is found in the Frederick C. O'Dell papers.

Collection

Henry Katz papers, 1919

1 folder

Online
Soldier from New York City, N.Y., member of Medical Detachment, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes summary of his activities and military orders relating to his service in the Polar Bear expedition to Archangel.

The papers include a copy of the "Summary of activities of medical personnel with 1st Battalion 339th Infantry, Sept. 1918-May 1919, which describes medical work at Shenkursk and fighting at Toulgas, Sept. 1918; Kodema [?], Dec. 1918; and Vistafka, Jan.-Feb. 1919. Also included are Katz's promotion and discharge papers.

Collection

Earl Fulcher papers, 1919

1 folder

Online
Soldier from Sanilac County, Mich., member of Co. H, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes typescript of his statement relating his experience as a prisoner of war and copies of his enlistment and discharge records.

The papers consist of photocopies of a typescript of his statement relating his experience as a prisoner of war and copies of his enlistment and discharge records.

Collection

Clarence C. Miller letters, 1919

1 page

Served in 339th Infantry Regiment during the Polar Bear Expedition to North Russia. Photocopies of two letters published in a local newspaper.

Photocopies of transcirpts of two letters, one dated January 19, 1919, published in a local newspaper.

Collection

Frank Richard Jung photograph collection, 1919

2 oversize folders

Online
Member of the 168th Co. Transportation Corps who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes group portraits of units of the 168th Company Transportation Corps, who served with the Polar Bear Expedition.

The collection contains group portraits of units of the 168th Co. Transportation Corps.

Collection

Walter C. Matuszewski photograph collection, 1919

2 digital files (360 MB)

Online
Walter C. Matuszewski served as a private in Company G, 339th Infantry, during the American intervention at Archangel, Russia, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Group portrait of Company G, 339th U.S. Infantry taken at Brest, France, June 1919.

This collection contains digital records; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into one series, Photographs. Within each series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The files in this collection are in JPG and TIFF format.

Files include digitized panoramic group photographs of Company G, 339th U.S. Infantry taken at Brest, France, June 1919.

Collection

Anthony B. Porzondek photograph collection, 1919

1 digital files (29.1 MB)

Online
Group photograph of the 339th Infantry at Camp Devens, Mass., July 14, 1919, collected by Anthony B. Porzondek, who served with Company I, 339th Infantry, sent to Archangel, Russia at the end of World War I, part of the "Polar Bear Expedition."

The Porzondek collection consists of an original and digitized panoramic group photograph of the 339th Infantry at Camp Devens, Mass., July 14, 1919.

This collection contains original and digital records. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into one series, Photographs. Within each series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The original file in this collection is in TIFF format, a jpeg copy has been made of the access site.

Collection

Tatos Doumanian certificate, 1919

1 item

Online
Papers of a soldier in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

Honorable discharge and enlistment record.

Collection

Albert E. Geltz papers, 1919

1 folder

Online
Soldier from Detroit, Mich., member of Co. H, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes list of members of Co. H; and miscellanea relating to the Polar Bear expedition.

The papers include lists of the members of Co. H.

Collection

Bentley Historical Library Polar Bear Project collection, 1918-2019

0.4 linear feet — 60 MB (digital files)

Online
Documents and correspondence relating to some soldiers in the U.S. 339th Infantry and related units, who fought in northern Russia in 1918-1919, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

Documents and correspondence relating to some soldiers in the U.S. 339th Infantry and related units, who fought in northern Russia in 1918-1919 (known as the Polar Bears). Includes copies of military discharge papers, correspondence between the library and family members about names omitted from the library's online Polar Bear roster, and miscellaneous other biographical documents. The collection includes a small number of digitized images and documents scanned or photographed by donors who have retained the original items

Collection

Clifford Bateman Ballard papers, 1918-2010

1 folder

Papers of a soldier with the 339th Infantry in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1919, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

Collected transcript of Ballard's diary and a letter to his family, copies of photos and of published materials relating to his service.

Collection

John Percey Clock papers, 1918-2010

0.1 linear feet — 254 MB (4 digital files; online)

Online
Member of 337th Ambulance Company who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes interview and miscellaneous papers.

This collection contains physical files as well as digital reproductions. In this finding aid, the collection has been arranged into one series, Papers.

This collection contains digitized sound recordings (Folder 1); the original sound recordings are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donor before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

Papers include an interview with transcription of John Percey Clock and Lawrence K. Montgomery of Charlevoix, Mich., who served in Company K, 339th Infantry, interviewed by John Robert Clock June 25, 1978. Also miscellaneous papers relating to Clock's service and activities of the Polar Bear Association.

Collection

Nora G. Frisbie papers, 1918-1982 (scattered dates)

1 folder

Online
Her uncle, Robert Granville served as a sergeant, 337th Field Hospital in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes two papers, 1982, consisting of typescripts of letters of Robert Granville, written while in military training at Camp Custer, 1917-1918, and as a member of the Polar Bear expedition; also scattered clippings, and photograph.

The paper includes biographical information about Frisbie's uncle, Robert Granville, who served as sergeant, 337th Field Hospital, and transcriptions of several of his letters, Nov. 1917-March 1919. The letters include descriptions of army life at Camp Custer, his daily routine at Archangel, and the Russian people and their customs. A photograph of Granville is also included.

Collection

John A. Peterson papers, 1918-1960

1 folder

Papers of a soldier with the 339th Infantry in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1919, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

The John Peterson papers consists of photocopies of military discharge papers and other official documents and a 1960 invitation to Polar Bear reunion and also a photograph of Peterson in uniform.

Collection

Hugh D. McPhail papers, 1918-1957

0.4 linear feet (4 v. and 2 folders)

Online
Soldier from Petoskey, Mich., member of Co. A, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes scrapbooks, orders, citations, casualty lists, and field message book.

The collection includes two scrapbooks containing a letter, Nov. 16, 1919, of Theodore R. McPhail, describing the 339th Infantry's homecoming parade in Detroit, poems, and newspaper clippings relating to the fighting in Russia, the mutiny of March 1919, the return of the 339th Infantry to Detroit, the return of the bodies of men killed in Russia, and later Polar Bear activities. Also included are rosters, certificates of promotion, lists of citations, and lists of casualties for Co. A, a cartoon by "Bug" Culver, a map of the Archangel area with areas of operations marked, lists of the bodies returned in 1929, and a receipt book of Captain Otto Odjard

Collection

Michael J. Macalla papers, 1918-1956

0.4 linear feet

Online
Member of Co. G, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition" and officer in the Polar Bear Association. Collection includes papers on the committee sent to Russia in 1929, to recover the bodies of men slain during the expedition, including material on their reinterment in White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery, Troy, Michigan, and the dedication of the Polar Bear monument.

The collection includes a copy of a petition, Feb. 1919, from people in Detroit asking for the withdrawal of American troops from Archangel; a diary, July-Sept. 1929, describing his trip to Russia and the search for bodies; correspondence, 1929-1930, regarding the commission and its work; a list of the bodies recovered and a map showing the location of some bodies found around Kodish; papers relating to the reinterment of the dead in White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery; a 1965 memoir of the 1929 commission, and two letters, 1966 and undated, from Arthur Wickham relating his memories of service in Archangel. Also included are bulletins, meeting notes, speeches, eulogies, and programs of the Polar Bear Association and the constitution and bylaws of the Polar Bear Post, No. 436, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Collection

Clarence J. Primm papers, 1918-1951

1 volume — 15 digital files (108 MB)

Online
Papers of a soldier with the 339th Infantry in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1919, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

Teh Primm Papers include a typed reminiscence (titled "Polar Bear Tales") with transcribed copies of letters written from Russia describing Primm's experiences. Also contains a digitized copy of the reminiscence and letters supplemented by photos and maps.

This collection contains digital reproductions; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

Collection

Ernest Oliver Andrews papers, 1918-1950s (majority within 1918-1919)

0.1 linear feet

Online
Papers of a soldier with the 339th Infantry in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

This collection is divided into three series, Papers, Visual Materials, and Memorabilia.

The Papers Series includes five letters Andrews wrote to family with detailed descriptions of northern Russia and of his thoughts and activities; a notebook containing dates of arrivals and departures, briefly noting place and activity; a postcard written by Andrews dated June 20, 1919 and memorabilia.

The Visual Materials series includes a portrait of Andrews in uniform and at veterans activities. Of the ten photographs in this series, the only dated photograph is the portrait of Andrews in uniform which is dated 1919-1920.

The Memorabilia series includes Andrew's military identification tag, an undated Military Patch, Speak French: A Book for the Soldiers, 1917, and a wallet which includes Andrews' American Legion membership card, 1930-1932; Boy Scouts of America adult member certification, 1933; Knights of Pythias membership dues official receipt, 1928, 1930; and La Société des Quarante Hommes at Huit Chevaux membership card, 1931.

Collection

Walter I. McKenzie Polar Bear Expedition papers, 1918-1945

19 folders — 1 oversize folder

Detroit attorney who served in 1918 and 1919 with the 339th U.S. Infantry during the American intervention in Archangel, Russia, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Selections from McKenzie's papers including correspondence, photographs, and other items relating to service in Polar Bear Expedition to northern Russia.

The Walter McKenzie Collection consists largely of materials created as a result of the Japanese War Crimes Trials. The collection has been arranged into eight series: Biographical/Personal; Correspondence; Articles, Speeches, etc.; International Military Tribunal for the Far East, International Prosecution Section; University of Michigan; World War I (Polar Bear Expedition); Miscellaneous; and Photographs. The Walter McKenzie Collection covers many aspects of McKenzie's life in addition to the Polar Bear expedition. The bulk of the collection consists largely of materials created as a result of the Japanese War Crimes Trials. The collection has been arranged into eight series: Biographical/Personal; Correspondence; Articles, Speeches, etc.; International Military Tribunal for the Far East, International Prosecution Section; University of Michigan; World War I (Polar Bear Expedition); Miscellaneous; and Photographs. Only the Polar Bear material and some biographical material has been digitized and can be viewed here. Researchers must visit the library to view the rest of McKenzie's collection. The Polar Bear materials consist of a diary, June 1918-July 1919, describing his voyage to Russia, his stay in a Red Cross Hospital there, routine work at headquarters, life in Archangel, a supply trip up the Dvina River in a gunboat in June 1919, and the voyage home. Also included are correspondence, June 1918-July 1919, describing life at Camp Custer, the voyage to Russia, life in Archangel, civilian conditions there, his ambition to go to the front, and his boat trip up the river. Other materials include ca. 30 picture postcards of Archangel, Murmansk, and countryside scenes, an issue of The Call, an English-language Bolshevik newspaper published in Moscow, a copy of the constitution of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic, an issue of The Mess Kit and one of the Daily Communique, both published in France for American soldiers, consisting of poems, and miscellaneous programs, clippings, and rosters.

Collection

James F. O'Brien papers, 1918-1945

14 digital files (24.6 MB)

Online
Digital copies of materials relating to the military service of James F. O'Brien, who served as 2nd lieutenant in Company E, 339th Infantry, sent to Archangel, Russia at the end of World War I, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

This collection contains digital records; the original papers and/or photographs are owned by the donor. The digital items in this collection were digitized from originals by the individual donors before being received by the Bentley Historical Library. Preservation copies of these files with their original file names and CD-ROM file structures intact have been submitted to Deep Blue. Access copies of these digital files can be viewed by clicking on the links next to the individual folders in the Content List below.

In this finding aid, the files have been arranged into one series, Papers and Photographs. Within each series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The files in this collection are in JPG and BMP format.

Files include digitized military documents diary entries, photographs relating to his service ca. 1918; also includes photographs of O'Brien and Captain Otto Odjard in a hospital ward, and photographs and newspaper clippings, possibly at the Detroit Ordnance District ca. 1943.

Collection

Edwin L. Arkins diary and scrapbook, 1918-1922

1 volume

Online
Soldier from Hart, Mich., member of Co. C, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes shorthand diary with newspaper clippings attached concerning the activities of the Polar Bear Expedition.

The diary consists of a shorthand original, July 1918-July 1919, and a typescript transcription by the author, and describes fighting at Seltso, Sept. 1918, work at battalion headquarters at Shenkursk, a YMCA Christmas program, the evacuation of Shenkursk, Jan. 1919, and fighting at Vistafka, Jan.-Feb. 1919. The scrapbook includes a clipping from a Shelby, Mich., newspaper containing a letter from Arkins describing his journey from the United States to Russia, the food, and the Russian people; poems about the campaign; a flyer defending British war aims in Russia; and three American Legion Weekly magazines, 1922, containing articles about the campaign by Daniel H. Steele.