This series holds materials relating to the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War, as collected by Luther College Archives. Included are letters, photographs, memorial service programs, realia, and published materials. Not only do these boxes document the history of the United States, but also its affect at Luther College and within the Decorah-area community.

Biographical Note

Located in the small northeast Iowa town of Decorah, Luther College is an undergraduate liberal arts institution of about 2,500 students. The college is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Founded in 1861 by Norwegian immigrants, Luther offers more than 60 majors and preprofessional and certificate programs leading to the bachelor of arts degree. Its mission statement emphasizes faith, leadership, and community service. Luther College provides equal opportunity for all qualified persons in its educational programs and activities.

Subject/Index Terms

Luther College (Decorah, Iowa)
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - History
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Students
Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) - Students - Organizations
United States - History
United States - History - Civil War, 1861-1865
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1914-1918 - Correspondence
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945 - Correspondence
World War, 1939-1945 - Memorials
World War, 1939-1945 - Personal Narratives
World War, 1939-1945 - Photographs - Europe
World War, 1939-1945 - Photographs - Pacific

Administrative Information

Repository: Luther College Archives

Alternate Extent Statement: 7 boxes

Access Restrictions: All materials are available for research.

Use Restrictions: Though we may hold the property rights, Luther College Archives does not hold the copyrights for all materials. Individuals may use materials for non-commercial, private use, but commercial users must secure permissions from the copyright holders and/or Luther College Archives to reproduce, publish, or quote protected materials and photographs. For more information about the Luther College copyright and fair use policy, please visit https://www.luther.edu/copyright/.

Original/Copies Note: Many of the materials in this collection are photocopies or reproductions of published materials, such as newspaper clippings and letters. Originals may be held by the originating publisher or creator. Please note that Luther College may hold property rights to these materials, but may not hold the copyright.

Preferred Citation:

Cite unpublished materials: War Letters and Memorabilia, RG00 History Relating to Luther College, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa

Cite published materials as required by your chosen citation style (Chicago, MLA, APA, etc.).

Finding Aid Revision History: 4/11/2019: Hayley Jackson updated link to copyright policy.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Sub-Series:

[Sub-Series 1: Civil War, 1861-1981],
[Sub-Series 2: World War I, 1916-1956],
[Sub-Series 3: World War II, 1944-1946],
[Sub-Series 4: Vietnam War, 1970-1973],
[All]

Sub-Series 2: World War I, 1916-1956

Materials relating to World War I, including letters, personal accounts, notifications, etc.

Box 1

Folder 1: Ellickson, George (Letters), 1917

Original letters from George Ellickson to his family in Decorah, Iowa, in 1917 coming from Camp Cody (Deming, New Mexico), Camp Dodge (Des Moines, Iowa), and Camp Merrit (New Jersey).

Creators:: Ellickson, George

Item 1: Letter to family, 2 February 1917
Item 2: Letter to family, 9 February 1917
Item 3: Letter to family, 22 July 1917
Item 4: Letter to family, 31 July 1917
Item 5: Letter to family, 1 August 1917
Item 6: Letter to family, 2 August 1917
Item 7: Letter to family, 4 August 1917
Item 8: Postcard to family, 11 August 1917
Item 9: Letter to family, 17 August 1917
Item 10: Letter to Harold E Ellickson, 28 August 1917
Item 11: Letter to family, 30 August 1917
Item 12: Postcard to family, 5 September 1917
Item 13: Letter to family, 6 September 1917
Item 14: Letter to Eli Ellickson, 17 September 1917
Item 15: Postcard to family, 28 September 1917
Item 16: Postcard to family, 29 September 1917
Item 17: Postcard to family, 30 September 1917
Item 18: Postcard to mother, 1 October 1917
Item 19: Letter to family, 2 October 1917
Item 20: Postcard to Peter Ellickson, 4 October 1917
Item 21: Postcard to Harold Ellickson, 6 October 1917
Item 22: Letter to family, 6 October 1917
Item 23: Letter to family, 11 October 1917
Item 24: Postcard to family, 12 October 1917
Item 25: Postcard to A E Ellickson, 14 October 1917
Item 26: Postcard to Harold Ellickson, 14 October 1917
Item 27: Postcard to Eli Ellickson, 14 October 1917
Item 28: Letter to family, 17 October 1917
Item 29: Postcard to Eli Ellickson, 22 October 1917
Item 30: Letter to father, 25 October 1917
Item 31: Letter to family, 26 October 1917
Item 32: Letter to Peter Ellickson, 28 October 1917
Item 33: Letter to family, 30 October 1917
Item 34: Postcard to family, 2 November 1917
Item 35: Letter to Peter Ellickson, 2 November 1917
Item 36: Letter to A E Ellickson, 3 November 1917
Item 37: Letter to family, 4 November 1917
Item 38: Letter to Eli Ellickson, 6 November 1917
Item 39: Postcard to family, 11 November 1917
Item 40: Letter to family, 11 November 1917
Item 41: Letter to family, 13 November 1917
Item 42: Letter to family, 16 November 1917
Item 43: Letter to friend Ragner, 17 November 1917
Item 44: Letter to family, 18 November 1917
Item 45: Letter to Harola Ellickson, 18 November 1917
Item 46: Letter to family, 20 November 1917
Item 47: Letter to Peter Ellickson, 24 November 1917
Item 48: Letter to family, 25 November 1917
Item 49: Letter to family, 26 November 1917
Item 50: Letter to family, 29 November 1917
Item 51: Letter to family, 1 December 1917

Folder 2: Ellickson, George (Letters), 1917-1918

Original letters from George Ellickson to his family in Decorah, Iowa, spanning 1917-1918 coming from Camp Cody (Deming, New Mexico), Camp Dodge (Des Moines, Iowa), and Camp Merrit (New Jersey).

Creators:: Ellickson, George

Item 1: Letter to family, 3 December 1917
Item 2: Letter to family, 5 December 1917
Item 3: Letter to family, 7 December 1917
Item 4: Letter to family, 8 December 1917
Item 5: Letter to family, 19 December 1917
Item 6: Letter to family, 13 December 1917
Item 7: Letter to family, 18 December 1917
Item 8: Letter to family, 20 December 1917
Item 9: Letter to family, 21 December 1917
Item 10: Letter to family, 22 December 1917
Item 11: Letter to family, 25 December 1917
Item 12: Letter to family, 26 December 1917
Item 13: Letter to family, 29 December 1917
Item 14: Letter to Lettie and Emick, 30 December 1917
Item 15: Letter to family, 1 January 1918
Item 16: Letter to family, 5 January 1918
Item 17: Letter to family, 9 January 1918
Item 18: Letter to family, 13 January 1918
Item 19: Letter to family, 18 January 1918
Item 20: Letter to family, 27 January 1918
Item 21: Letter to Lettie, 27 January 1918
Item 22: Letter to Gunder, 10 February 1918
Item 23: Letter to family, 25 February 1918
Item 24: Letter to family, 27 February 1918
Item 25: Letter to Emick and Lettie, 28 February 1918
Item 26: Letter to family, 6 March 1918
Item 27: Letter to family, 19 March 1918
Item 28: Letter to family, 28 March 1918
Item 29: Letter to family, 30 March 1918
Item 30: Letter to family, 4 April 1918
Item 31: Letter to family, 7 April 1918
Item 32: Letter to family, 14 April 1918
Item 33: Letter to family, April 1918
Item 34: Letter to family, 26 April 1918
Item 35: Letter to family, 17 May 1918
Item 36: Letter to family, 30 May 1918
Item 37: Postcard to family, 2 June 1918
Item 38: Letter to family, 3 June 1918
Item 39: Letter to A E Ellickson, 6 June 1918
Item 40: Letter to family, 9 June 1918
Item 41: Letter to family, 11 June 1918
Item 42: Postcard to family, 16 June 1918
Item 43: Postcard to family, 16 June 1918
Item 44: Letter to family, 20 June 1918
Item 45: Letter to family, 21 June 1918
Item 46: Letter to Mrs. Ashley Ellickson, 26 June 1918
Item 47: Letter to family, 28 June 1918
Item 48: Postcard to family, 29 June 1918

Folder 3: Ellickson, George (Letters), 1918-1919

Documentation consists of letters to friends and family, 1918-1919; telegrams; postcards to his mother; Christmas card to George; printed song of Camp Cody; song "Our Hitch in Hell;" leave permission slip.

Folder 4: Evans, Rudolph O (Letters and Newspaper Articles), 1918-1919

Letters in Norwegian and English from Rudolph O Evans in France to his cousin Olger C Ruen in Waukon, Iowa. Included are newspaper clippings, standard postcards sent that state that the soldier has arrived safely, postcards from the Alps and Vichy, and other letters written on American Expeditionary Force letterhead.

Biographical/Historical Note: American Expeditionary Force (AEF) was the name given to the U.S. Armed Forces who were sent to Europe for World War I.

Creator: Evans, Rudolph O

Item 1: Newspaper Clipping: "En aegte Biting", undated
Item 2: Newspaper Clipping: "Lugtede Krudt", undated
Item 3: Newspaper Clipping, "A message to Those Who Mourne", undated
Item 4: Postcard to Olger C Ruen, 2 July 1918
Item 5: Letter to Olger C Ruen, 8 September 1918
Item 6: Letter to Olger C Ruen, 1 December 1918
Item 7: Letter to Olger C Ruen, 24 March 1919
Item 8: Postcard to Olger C Ruen, 21 February 1919
Item 9: Postcard to Olger C Ruen, 10 April 1919
Item 10: Letter to Olger C Ruen, 10 April 1919
Item 11: Postcard to Olger C Ruen, undated
Item 12: Postcard to Olger C Ruen, undated

Folder 5: Garnoss, Ole (Letters)

Two letters in English from Ole Garnoss in France to his cousin Sander.

Creator: Garnoss, Ole

Item 1: Letter to Sander, 29 January 1919
Item 2: Letter to Sander, 17 April 1919

Folder 6: Moen, Ole Hilmen (Letters and Telegram), 1916-1918

Letters from 1916-1918 from Ole Hilmen Moen and the US Government to family members. Most of the letters to the entire family are in English, while letters addressed to his mother are nearly all in Norwegian. Some correspondence contains a mix of the two languages throughout the letters. Sent from various places, such as Camp Dodge (Des Moines, Iowa), Camp Pike (Arkansas), Camp Merritt (New Jersey), Fort Snelling (Minnesota), Fort Sheridan (Illinois), and France. He signs his letters "Hilmen".

Biographical/Historical Note: Brother's name is Bert Hilmen Moen. Father's name is Edward E Moen.

Creator: Moen, Ole Hilmen

Item 1: Letter to family, 30 August 1916: Letter mentions Gerhard Johnson, from Decorah, killed in action.
Item 2: Letter to family, 20 September 1917
Item 3: Letter to mother, 28 September 1917
Item 4: Letter to mother, 3 October 1917
Item 5: Letter to family, 23 October 1917
Item 6: Letter to family, November 1917
Item 7: Letter to family, 15 November 1917: This letter mentions: Carl Buer, Tomy Mor, Martin Williams, Carl Danielson, Stephen Bolsen, Ben Hill, Oscar Lovestuen, Gerhard Johnson, and "all the rest of the Decorah boys."
Item 8: Letter to family, 27 November 1917
Item 9: Letter to mother, 12 January 1918
Item 10: Letter to mother, 29 January 1918
Item 11: Letter to Bert Hilmen, 10 February 1918: Letter mentions: Ben Hill, Tedd Kirkesby, Albert Krogsun, Carl Danielson, and Melvin Loen.
Item 12: Letter to mother, 16 February 1918
Item 13: Letter to Bert Hilmen, March 1918
Item 14: Letter to unknown, 1 March 1918
Item 15: Letter to family, 10 March 1918
Item 16: Letter to mother, 2 April 1918
Item 17: Letter to mother, 7 April 1918
Item 18: Letter to mother, 16 April 1918
Item 19: Letter to mother, 27 April 1918
Item 20: Letter to mother, 11 May 1918
Item 21: Letter to family, 30 May 1918
Item 22: Letter to family, 3 June 1918
Item 23: Letter to family, 3 June 1918
Item 24: Letter to family, 11 June 1918
Item 25: Letter to family, 16 June 1918
Item 26: Letter to family, 23 July 1918
Item 27: Letter to family, 29 July 1918
Item 28: Letter to family, 15 October 1918
Item 29: Letter to family, 24 November 1918
Item 30: US Government Telegram to E. Moen, 2 December 1918: Creator: United States of America, War Department
Item 31: Letter to father, 5 December 1918
Item 32: Letter to family, 11 December 1918
Item 33: Letter to family, 13 December 1918

Folder 7: Moen, Ole Hilmen (Letters), 1919, undated

Letters mostly from 1919 from Ole Hilmen Moen and the US Government to family members. Most of the letters to the entire family are in English, while letters addressed to his mother are nearly all in Norwegian. Some correspondence contains a mix of the two languages throughout the letters. Sent from various places, such as Camp Dodge (Des Moines, Iowa), Camp Pike (Arkansas), Camp Merritt (New Jersey), Fort Snelling (Minnesota), Fort Sheridan (Illinois), and France. He signs his letters "Hilmen".

Biographical/Historical Note: Brother's name is Bert Hilmen Moen. Father's name is Edward E Moen.

Creator: Moen, Ole Hilmen

Item 1: Letter to family, 8 January 1919
Item 2: Letter to family, 27 February 1919
Item 3: US Government Postcard to E. Moen, 1 March 1919: Creator: United States of America, War Department
Item 4: Letter to mother, 5 March 1919
Item 5: Letter to family, 13 March 1919
Item 6: Letter to family, 22 March 1919
Item 7: Letter to family, 6 April 1919
Item 8: Letter to family, 19 April 1919
Item 9: Letter to family, 25 April 1919
Item 10: Letter to family, 10 May 1919
Item 11: Letter to family, 20 May 1919
Item 12: Letter to family, 28 May 1919
Item 13: Letter to family, 5 June 1919
Item 14: Letter to family, 17 June 1919
Item 15: Postcard to family, 13 June 1919
Item 16: Letter to family, 25 June 1919
Item 17: Letter to family, 1 July 1919
Item 18: Letter to family, 21 July 1919
Item 19: Letter to family, 24 July 1919
Item 20: Letter to family (Typewritten), 31 July 1919
Item 21: Letter to family, 5 August 1919
Item 22: US Government Postcard to E. Moen, 8 August 1919: Creator: United States of America, War Department
Item 23: Letter to Bert Hilmen, 1 August 1919
Item 24: Letter to family, 10 August 1919
Item 25: Letter to Bert Hilmen, 17 August 1919
Item 26: Letter to family, 29 August 1919
Item 27: Letter to family, 5 September 1919
Item 28: Letter to family, 8 September 1919
Item 29: Letter to family, 9 September 1919
Item 30: Letter to family (typewritten), 13 September 1919
Item 31: Letter to family, 19 September 1919
Item 32: Letter to family, October 1919
Item 33: Letter to Bert Hilmen, November 1919
Item 34: Letter fo family, 9 November 1919
Item 35: Letter to family, 18 November 1919
Item 36: Postcard to mother, 3 November 1919
Item 37: Letter to family, undated
Item 38: Letter to mother, undated
Item 39: Letter to family, undated
Item 40: Letter to family, undated
Item 41: Letter to family, undated: Letter describing his discharge and coming home.
Item 42: Letter to Bert Hilmen, undated
Item 43: Fragment of letter, undated
Item 44: Letter to Family, 29 March 1919

Folder 8: Students' Army Training Corps (SATC)

Related Material: See also RG18: 8 x 10 photographs of Students' Army Training Corps, 1918 and RG 15: Papers of Nelson, David T., scrapbooks and publications, 1914-1918.

Item 1: "Students' Army Training Corps at Luther College", 1918
Item 2: "S.A.T.C. at Luther College" letter, 21 September 1918

Folder 9: Harold Sunde Account of World War I, March 1956

Folder 10: Other memorabilia, letters, and clippings, 1918-1919

Item 1: Letter from Alfred Hendrickson to Dr. Knut Gjerset, 2 March: This letter describes item 2 in this folder. Gjerset was collecting World War I letters and Alfred Hendrickson sent item 2 to be included.
Item 2: Letter from Corporal E. J. Whitehead to Alfred Hendrickson, 22 May 1919
Item 3: Newspaper clipping naming people and ranks, undated
Item 4: Notification to register for draft, 26 August 1918

Folder 11: Scrapbook Clippings from Minneapolis Newspapers, 1917-1923

Folder 12: Photograph from August Korsund, 1918

Folder 13: Information On The Life Of Ole Hilmen Moen, 1916-1923

Folder 14: Translations of the Ole Moen Letters, 1914-1919

Browse by Sub-Series:

[Sub-Series 1: Civil War, 1861-1981],
[Sub-Series 2: World War I, 1916-1956],
[Sub-Series 3: World War II, 1944-1946],
[Sub-Series 4: Vietnam War, 1970-1973],
[All]