Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

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.

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.

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.

Soldier from Bay City, 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 diary, correspondence and newspaper clipping relating to his military life with the Polar Bear Expedition.

The papers include a diary, July 1918-Jan. 1919, describing patrolling, foraging for food, and fighting at Shenkursk, Oct. 1918, and Nijni Gora, Jan. 1919. Also included is a letter, Feb. 26, 1920, from T. B. Kernan, expressing his anger at news that the Bolsheviks had taken Archangel, and a roster of the 2d Platoon, Co. A.

Soldier from Hart, 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 diary, undated narrative, and newspaper clipping from the Hart Journal describing his military training at Fort Custer, Michigan, and his combat experience in Russia; also visual materials.

This collection contains physical files as well as digital material. In this finding aid, the collection has been arranged into two series, Papers and Visual Materials.

The Visual Materials consists of digitized images; 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 link next to the individual folder in the Content List below. Within this series, files are listed numerically according to the file arrangement they were given by the donor. The file in this collection is in TIF format. Includes a digitized portrait of Private Roy Paul Rasmussen, Co. H, 339th Infantry, in uniform, ca. 1918.

The Papers, all photocopied reproductions, include a diary, June 1918-July 1919, containing descriptions of his travels, the food and weather in Russia, and actions on the Onega front, especially fighting in and near Chekuevo, Sep. and Oct. 1918 and Jan. 1919, and at Bolshie Ozerki, March and April 1919; and a reminiscence covering the period June 1918-March 1919, probably written from the diary, that also contains a list of casualties in Co. H, descriptions of a numbered series of photos produced by the Red Cross, and two poems, "The Creation of Russia" and "The Day of Do or Die." Also included are newspaper clippings containing letters from Rasmussen describing his first days in Russia. The originals of the papers are owned by Dale Rasmussen, Shelby, Mich.

Michigan-born member of U.S. Army Co. I, 339th Infantry; served with the U.S. Polar Bear Expedition in Archangel, Russia. Collection includes Mielke's service records, a digital photograph of his grave marker, and digitized images of his service diary

The William R. Mielke papers consist of a single series, Military Service, which include his enlistment record, honorable discharge papers, scanned images of his service diary, and a photograph of his gravesite in Lewiston, Mich. The diary details his unit's movements from training at Camp Custer to England and on to Russia. Entries describe patrols, combat experiences, and living conditions among soldiers during the expedition.

Soldier from Holland, Mich., member of Co. D, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes description of army life and battles of the Polar Bear campaign; also includes a reminiscence of a tour of Russia, 1959, with a teachers group.

The diary, July 1918-July 1919, is a photostat of a typescript, and describes Douma's daily life and the weather as well as fighting at Seltso, Sept. 1918; Toulgas, Nov. 1918; Vistafka, Feb.-March 1919; and Kurgomen, April-May 1919. The collection also includes a reminiscence of a tour of Russia, 1959, with a teachers' group.

Member of Co. D, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes daily account of his activities as a member of the expeditionary force; also includes maps, clippings, and roster of Co. D, 339th Infantry, United States Army.

The diary, July 1918-July 1919, is a photocopy of a typescript, and describes his voyage to Russia, the movements of Co. D, and fighting at Seltso, Sept. 1918; Kodish, Oct. 1918; Toulgas, Nov. 1918; Vistafka, Feb.-March 1919; and Tooting[?], April-May 1919. Also included are sketch maps of Vistafka Half Way Post and Shegovaya and a clipping, May 25, 1930, from the Detroit Free Press titled "The Forgotten Regiment," in which Smith describes his experiences in Russia. The article is based on the diary.

Harold Green was a Mount Clemens, Michigan, optometrist who served with the U.S. Army 339th Medical Detachment during the American intervention at Archangel, Russia. This collection contains a typescript copy of his diary, containing generally brief entries describing his actions in Russia.

Diary and typescript containing generally brief entries describing his actions in Russia; also, photographs.

Soldier from Fruitport, Mich., member of Co. I, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes a diary, article from The Literary Digest, and newspaper clipping describing his combat experiences in Russia.

The papers, all photocopies, include a typescript of Colburn's diary, Sept. 1918-April 1919, which contains very brief accounts of his experiences, including fighting on several fronts and the alleged mutiny of Co. I. Also included are a short reminiscence, a newspaper clipping containing a letter from Colburn describing fighting along the railroad in Sept. 1918, and an article from The Literary Digest describing the "mutiny" of Co. I. The originals of the papers are owned by Colburn.

Soldier from Detroit, Mich., member of Co. E, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes diary of service in Russia, Nov.7, 1918-Jan.14, 1919 and other war-related papers.

The papers include a diary, Nov. 1918-Jan. 1919, describing daily life, monotony, the weather, and fighting at Kodish, Dec. 1918. Also included are newspaper clippings, miscellanea, and photographs. Also artifacts: helmet, shell casing trench art (75 mm), 37 mm shell, VFW Post 436 cap, and uniform insignia. (The photographs and artifacts have not been digitized.)

Soldier from Detroit, 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 diary, letter, memorabilia, and notes concerning his part in the Polar Bear Expedition.

The papers include a diary, July 1918-July 1919, describing the voyage to Archangel, his movements in Russia, his longing for home, and the voyage back to the United States. Also found in the diary are a transcript of an address by Americans to the Bolshevik soldiers and a statement describing an explosion at Shenkursk in January 1919. A separate journal, dated January-February 1919, describes fighting at Ust Padenga, Nizhnyaya Gora, and Vysokaya Gora, and includes a sketch map of the area. Also included are a letter describing army food and his longing for home, and a chronology of his military service, July 1918-April 1919.

Member of Co. H, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes field diary recounting the Polar Bear expedition and photographs of Archangel and members of the expedition.

The collection contains a copy of the field diary of Co. H, Sept. 1918-Apr. 1919, describing the company's service on the Onega front, including fighting at Chekuevo, Sept. 1918; Wazentia[?], Oct. 1918; Turchasovo, Dec. 1918; Chinova, March 1919; and Bolshie Ozerki, March and April 1919. Also included are 34 photos by the American Red Cross, containing group portraits and pictures of base areas, churches, Russian people, soldiers on patrol, and fortifications, all taken in the Onega- Chekuevo area.

Member of Co. D, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes transcript of his diary describing his experiences in Russia.

Transcript of a diary describing his experiences in Russia.

Member of Co. B, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes record of combat experiences against Bolshevik troops.

The diary, July 1918-July 1919, describes his journey from Camp Custer to Russia, patrolling the countryside, his uncertainty and bewilderment over the objectives and purpose of the campaign, fighting at Seltso, Oct. 1918, and Toulgas, Oct. and Nov. 1918; the defense of Toulgas, Jan.-Feb. 1919; fighting at Kurgomen, March-April 1919; and his return to the United States.

Soldier from Detroit, 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 letters from home and diary concerning living conditions in the army and combat duty with the Polar Bear expedition.

The papers include a typescript, dated 1964, of a diary covering the period July 1918-July 1919, which describes his daily routine, fighting upriver from Shenkursk, Sept. 1918, and fighting at Ust Padenga, Jan. 1919. The correspondence is chiefly to him from his family, and gives little information about the campaign.

Debriefing report and diary of Anton Russell, private in the 339th Infantry Medical Detachment, sent to Archangel, Russia at the end of World War I, the "Polar Bear Expedition."

This collection contains original materials and digital reproductions. 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. 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 TIF format.

Includes files containing the digitized diary, or travel log, of Russell's service and a Polar Bear reunion medal; also a non-digitized transcribed copy of a debriefing report.

Soldier from Bay City, Mich., member of Co. B, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes diaries which give an account of his service in Russia with the Polar Bear expedition, including sympathetic references to the Bolsheviks.

The diary, Sept. 1918-April 1919, a photocopy, describes his sympathy for the Russian people and the Bolshevik cause, his impressions of Russian life, housing, crops, food, and marriage, as well as fighting at Seltso, Sept. and Oct. 1918, and Toulgas, Oct. 1918. He also describes the difficulties in which he found himself in March 1919, when he drew up a petition protesting the presence of American troops in Russia after the end of the war. A transcript of the petition is included. The original of the diary is owned by Parrish.

Professor of history and director of the Michigan Historical Collections at the University of Michigan; professional correspondence, lecture and research notes, speeches, writings, and personal miscellanea.

The F. Clever Bald collection includes correspondence, speeches, lecture and research notes, and manuscripts of published and unpublished research writings. Of interest is Bald's manuscript of his "The University of Michigan in World War II." Other World War II materials include completed questionnaires which he sent out to Michigan colleges and universities relating to their activities during the war. There are also letters (1944-1946) received from Chester A. Antiau discussing his work with the U. S. Army Information and Education Service during World War II including comments on conditions in Italy and Germany. Other parts of the collection are the letters he wrote while serving in the 111th Ambulance Company. Other files concern his activities with the Michigan Historical Collections, the Civil War Centennial Observance Commission, and the Algonquin Club of Detroit.

1st Lieutenant, Co. M., 339th Infantry, sent to northern Russia at the end of World War I. Diary (with transcription) describing war-time activities, 1917-1919; scrapbook of clippings from Detroit and Toledo newspapers describing the "Polar Bear" expedition; orders received; photographs; and CD-ROMs of selected items.

Diary (with transcription) describing war-time activities, 1917-1919; scrapbook of clippings from Detroit and Toledo newspapers describing the "Polar Bear" expedition; orders received; photographs.