Great River Road, 2016

Browse Items (40 total)

  • Tags: World War II
Thumbnail Title Description Date Date Added
Ray Bieser in front of 90th Division sign at Headquarters in Germany in 1945 This photograph is of Ray Bieser in front of 90th Division sign at Headquarters in Germany in 1945. Ray Bieser was the Company clerk of the 90th Infantry Division. 1945 September 18, 2017
Ethel and Jim Hirsch Welcoming Returning Soldiers after World War II in a Highland Bar This photograph shows Ethel and Jim Hirsch (far left) and others welcoming home soldiers returning from World War II in a Highland. Various photographs of soldiers are hanging on the shelf behind Ethel and Jim. The identity of the bar is unknown. One possibility is Kid Walter’s Place, which Ethel and Jim bought in 1952. That bar became known as Ethel's and is still open as of 2018. Circa 1945 August 27, 2018
1940s Chinese Paper Money These seven bills of Chinese paper money were issued in the 1930s and 1940s by either the Bank of China or the Central Bank of China. They were brought to Madison County by an American soldier who was stationed in northern China immediately after World War II.

These bills were scanned as part of a Madison Historical class visit to Civic Memorial High School in spring 2018. They were brought to class by the soldier's granddaughter, Dara Parks.
Circa 1945 - 1948 July 9, 2018
North China Pictorial Book given to Americans Stationed in China Following World War II This book, titled "North China Pictorial," was given to each member of the U.S. army who was stationed in China immediately following World War II. It was paid for by Special Services Funds of the 111 Amphibious Corps. The book highlights the people and culture of China for an American audience. This book was brought to Madison County by an American soldier who was stationed in northern China immediately after World War II.

Select pages of this book were photographed as part of a Madison Historical class visit to Civic Memorial High School in spring 2018. It was brought to class by the soldier's granddaughter, Dara Parks.
Circa 1945 - 1948 September 7, 2018
U.S. Navy Training Course Certificate, Awarded to Lester Mack Springman in 1945 This certificate was awarded to Lester Mack Springman on September 7, 1945, certifying he had completed the Navy Training Course to receive the ranking of Motor Machinist's Mate First Class.

This certificate was scanned as part of a Madison Historical class visit to Civic Memorial High School in spring 2019. It was brought to class by Jaden Devin.
September 7, 1945 May 21, 2019
Percy Heuer Oral History Interview In this oral history, Percy Heuer describes his life in Dorsey as a farmer and worker for the Illinois Department of Transportation. He discusses many experiences in Dorsey from the early 20th century to the 1980s. He also discusses some family history. August 23, 1988 April 25, 2017
1990s United Way Kickoff This is a color photograph of four men in front of an Air Force WWII fighter plane at a 1990s United Way Kickoff event. The men pictured are Denis Webb, Buck Isbell, Tom Skundrich, and Chuck Bild. Circa 1990s November 12, 2018
Edward Fetzer Oral History Interview This oral history interview with Edward Fetzer was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History.

Edward J.F. Fetzer, Jr. was born on April 21, 1921. This interview focuses on his experience as a B-26 “Marauder” in World War II. The interview also includes other phases of his life, such as growing up on a farm in Illinois, moving to California to work in commercial aviation and then joining the air service in September of 1941, completing military training, and flying 75 bombing missions in occupied western Europe. He mentions his insurance career in the Midwest until his retirement in 1985 followed by retirement living in northern Wisconsin.
October 6, 2001 March 4, 2018
John Percy Oral History Interview This oral history interview with John Percy was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History.

In this interview, John Percy describes his experience as a P-47 Fighter-Bomber Pilot in the European theater of World War II, his childhood in rural Illinois, learning to fly, his career after the military as a corporate pilot for State Farm Insurance, and his involvement on the board of the Prairie Aviation Museum.
October 6, 2001 March 17, 2018
Isabella Vartan and Helen Abbott Oral History Interview This oral history interview with Isabella Vartan and Helen Abbott was part of oral histories conducted in the fall 2001 semester of History 447: Oral History.

Isabella Vartan and Helen Abbott are the daughters of Armenian immigrants who have been lifelong residents of the Lincoln Place neighborhood. In this interview, they talk about their parent's experience in Armenia during World War I and immigration to the United States, their participation in the Armenian Orthodox Church, growing up as the children of immigrants, involvement in the local community center, and the diversity of the Lincoln Place neighborhood.
October 10, 2001 March 18, 2018