Finding Aid for the Buel A. Williamson First World War correspondence 2017.701.w.r

Lee Feldman

Center for American War Letters Archives

1/2/2018

Leatherby Libraries

Chapman University

Orange, CA 92866

speccoll@chapman.edu

URL: http://www1.chapman.edu/library/archives/

Contributing Institution: Center for American War Letters Archives

Title: Buel A. Williamson, Sr. First World War correspondence

Creator: Williamson, Buel A., Sr., Private First Class

source: Williamson, Carol

Identifier/Call Number: 2017.701.w.r

Physical Description: .24 Linear feet (4 folders)

Date (bulk): 1918 April 8 - 1962 December 12

Abstract: This collection contains two letters, four postcards, a diary, a typed unit history, various newspaper articles, a photo album, and other ephemera from PFC Buel A. Williamson Sr., USA to his sister Ruth Williamson during the First World War.

Language of Material: English .

Container: WWI 4

Container: 3-6

Container: 1-4

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Carol Williamson.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type, author, and date.

Series 1, Correspondence
Series 2, Ephemera

Biographical / Historical

Private First Class Buel A. Williamson, Sr., United States Army (1896 - 1979) was born in Denver, Colorado. He enlisted in the First World War in April of 1918, serving as a Private First Class in Hospital Unit K, the first MASH unit, until he was discharged in May 1919. Afterward, Williamson graduated from Georgetown University and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was promoted to Captain on 7 December 1941 and served in the Second World War under General MacArthur. He stayed an additional two years in Japan after the Second World War to help the country rebuild. Williamson served as the Civil Defense Director for Tustin, California, from the late 1950s until the early 1970s. He died in December 1979.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Buel A. Williamson First World War correspondence (2014.160.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Content Description

This collection contains two letters, four postcards, a diary, a typed unit history, various newspaper articles, a photo album, and other ephemera from PFC Buel A. Williamson Sr., USA to his sister, Ruth Williamson, during the First World War. The diary chronicles his daily actions and routines during his time serving in France at the Unit K Base Hospital #27. Newspaper clippings follow Unit K and their eventual return from France. The photo album contains hundreds of pictures taken by Williamson while stationed in France.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

World War (1914-1918)

Correspondence -- World War, 1914-1918

United States -- Army -- American Expeditionary Force.

World War (1914-1918) -- France

United States -- American Red Cross

Williamson, Carol

Williamson, Ruth

box WWI 4, folder 3, folder 1

Series 1, Correspondence 1918 April 8 - 1919 May 3

Physical Description: .08 Linear Feet(1 folder)

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains the written correspondence from PFC Buel A. Williamson, USA during the First World War. Many of his entries mention menial events at the base, including cleaning, digging ditches, collecting medical supplies, and working in the supply room. However, some entries mention setting up tents and treating patients fighting in the War ("July 22. Patients begun to arrived 11-PM continuned alnight. 76 Div. Bad Cases - some experience."). His letters, written to his sister Ruth, describe working at the Red Cross hut, hoping she and their parents are well, wishing her luck in her studies, and attending vaudevilles and other shows in France during his off-time.

box WWI 4, folder 2-6, folder 2-4

Series 2, Ephemera 1918 June 23 - 1962 December 12

Physical Description: .16 Linear Feet(3 folders)

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains, newspaper clippings, photographs, and other ephemera related to Buel A. Williamson. The newspaper excerpts follow Unit K's exploits in France, under Lieutenant Colonel Donald Macrae, Jr., and the company's eventual return to the United States. A typewritten narrative describes the creation and history of Unit K from its creation in Council Bluffs, Iowa, its service in Le Havre, France, and their return home to the United States. Additionally, this series contains a certificate from the French government officially awarding the Croix de Guerre to Colonel Mcrae and Unit K. The photo album contains over four-hundred pictures taken during the War, presumably by Williamson. Included are pictures of soldiers, patients, landscapes, architecture, and townspeople. Also included are photographs of Williamson meeting with President Herbert Hoover and receiving the Man of the Year award from the City of Tustin.