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Switzer, Karl (First World War correspondence)
2018.066.w.r
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Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Karl Switzer First World War correspondence
Creator:
Switzer, Karl, Private, 1894-1941
source:
Switzer, Laurie
Identifier/Call Number: 2018.066.w.r
Physical Description:
.025 Linear feet
(1 folder)
Date: 1917 September 21
Abstract: This collection contains one letter from Pvt. Karl Switzer, AEF to his father Albert during the First World War.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWI 3
Container: 20
Container: 1
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Laurie Switzer.
Information from the donor:
Private Karl Switzer, American Expeditionary Force (12/1/1894 - 9/15/1941) was born in Bellows Falls, Vermont to Albert Henry
"A.H." and Belle Emaline Switzer. He joined the Army on June 5, 1917 and trained at Camp Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts with
Headquarters Company 301st Infantry.
Having trained as a pianist in Boston under John Orth (student of Franz Liszt) and working as a pianist for presentations
at the Boston Opera Company, he was a member of the 301st US Infantry Band, Company G, APC 773, 76th Division (General Pershing's
Headquarters Band). He played a publicity tour for victory loan drives and a concert in Paris in 1918.
He was discharged on August 14, 1919 after earning the rank of Corporal. He died in Newton Massachusetts in 1941 at the age
of 46.
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Karl Switzer First World War correspondence (2018.066.w.r), Center for American
War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this
collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
This collection contains one letter from Pvt. Karl Switzer, AEF to his father A.H. Switzer during the First World War. The
letter was written on September 21, 1917 at 2:30 pm from Camp Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts while training with Headquarters
Company, 301st Infantry.
Pvt. Switzer discusses arriving by train from Derry and locating the barracks, their first dinner, and receiving their initial
materials such as mess kits, blankets, ponchoon and cot, awaiting uniforms the next day. He also mentions they have a pool
table and piano for amusement in the barracks.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War (1914-1918)
Correspondence -- World War, 1914-1918
Military training camps
Basic training (Military education)
Switzer, Laurie