source: Miller, Melissa

Creator: Blind, George Philip

Physical Description: 0.08 Linear feet(1 folder)

Language of Material: English.

This series contains one folder entitled correspondence. This series contains an inventory and biographical information provided by the donor. This series also contains correspondence from Corporal George Phillip Blind to his sister Helen Jennette Blind and his sister Linnian E. Blind during the First World War as well as a photo of Blind and an obituary. Blind served as Corporal in Battery D, Reg #62, Artillery Corps. He was stationed at Fort Scott in San Francisco. He was the uncle of Lewis Calvin Kluttz. Some noted material in this series is his photo with writing on the back detailing his birth and death as well as his letter dated October 1, 1917 in which he says he is looking forward to a football game between two of the forts. Blind died July 18, 1924.

source: Miller, Melissa

Creator: Kluttz, Lewis Calvin

Physical Description: 0.16 Linear feet(2 folders)

Language of Material: English.

This series contains correspondence, photos, and military documents pertaining to Lewis Calvin Kluttz during the Second World War. Folder 2 contains six correspondence from Kluttz to his family. In this correspondence Kluttz reveals that he is working in Alaska at Dutch Habor in the Aleutian Islands. He was working with salvage. In one letter dated December 25, 1945 he explains that his work should be done by contractors and he should be paid more but the government just wanted cheap labor. In a letter dated January 17, 1946 he describes the different houses available there. In a letter dated January 23, 1946 he describes what he wants to do in the future and what classes he wishes to take. A very interesting letter is dated February 1, 1946. In this letter he talks about how a soldier got angry and burned all their records before he left. This made their job almost impossible to do. "It is a really a shame to see this equipment going to rust up here. Trucks, cranes, cats, stoves, refrigerators, boilers, generators compressors, and all sorts of hand tools and power machinery are scattered from end to end on this island. We have no records of a large part of it so we can not report it for shipping until we dig up records for it. I would estimate that there is at least eight million dollars worth of stuff of all types up here in varying conditions waiting for our crew of twenty men to get around to crating it and shipping it … It is no wonder they want you all to buy War Bonds." Folder 3 contains photos and 2 Military records. 5 of the photos were taken in Douglas AZ. Descriptions are as follows: 1. Lewis and Katherine (sister) May 1945 2. Lewis boarding SP train at depot 3. Lewis with parents, Silas L. Kluttz and Helen J. Kluttz at train depot 4. Lewis with parents at train depot 5. Formal Portrait of Lewis. The next 7 photographs were taken while Lewis was stationed in Alaska. Descriptions as follows: 6. Lewis with someone "Brand new Sergeants!" 7. Lewis and someone in front of equipment 8. Lewis in work clothes outdoors "The sun came out for a full two hours this day. Also the first day that there was not at least a foot of snow on the ground." 9. Lewis in parka with companion 10. Lewis in front of building "Where the War Bonds went to—Commanding Officers "shack"" 11. Lewis in stained work overalls 12. Lewis leaning on a building. Military Records are also included in this folder. These records include his Enlisted Record and Report of Separation as well as his Honorable discharge issued December 6, 1946.

source: Miller, Melissa

Creator: Kluttz, Lewis Calvin

Physical Description: 0.4 Linear feet(5 folders)

Language of Material: English.

This series contains correspondence, photos, condolences, and official death correspondence pertaining to Lewis Calvin Kluttz during the Korean War. Lewis became a 1st Lieutenant with the 15th Infantry Regiment in the 3rd Division.

Folder 4 contains 7 correspondence from Lewis to his sister, Katherine. Some letters of interest include the letter dated May 11, 1952. In this letter Lewis complains about the USO shows, mentions some drama between a man named Carl and Katherine, and expresses his feelings towards the war. He believes that the war is pointless stating, "Any would be nice but from personal observation I don't think they are about to end this thing and it seems more and more pointless the longer I stay here – I really get quite bitter about it at times. But then I remember that I'm over here 'to make the world safe for you to live in' and I feel much better." In the letter dated May 24, 1952 he mentions pictures that are reference to the Mockup of a joke magazine that Katherine and her roommates and friends sent to Lewis in Korea. Made to look like a scandal magazine "Confidential" It is "pictures" referenced in Lewis' letter from May 24 1952 (returned with personal effects after death). This magazine is located in folder 8. His very last correspondence before his death is dated July 26, 1952. In this letter to his parents he ends his letter by saying "I expect to be very busy the next few days so don't worry if you don't hear from me for awhile. I'll be okay."

Folder 5 contains photos and newspaper clippings. For a detailed description of these photos please refer to the donor inventory. The newpaper clippings are from the Douglas Dispatch on Febuary 24, 1952.

Folder 6 contains approximately 10 offical military condolences as well as the telegrams sent notifiying the Kluttz's of Lewis' death and the transport of his body. One letter of interest is dated August 5, 1952 from WM. E. Bergin which confirms Lewis' death as well as comes with form C 3109 "Statement of Death" and DA Pamphlet No. 20-15 "For Your Guidance" for the family to refer to.

Folder 7 contains government and legal documents and correspondence including compensation records, tax records, and life insurance records. These documents provide insight into all the paperwork a family must fill out once a family member has died while in service. This folder also contains the letter notifying the Kluttz's that Lewis won the Purple Heart.

Folder 8 contains 7 death related correspondence including condolences from friends and soldiers as well as funeral ephemera. Some material of interest is the letter written by Katherine to Lewis that specifies returned to sender "verified deceased" on the envelope. Also the mockup joke magazine that was referenced in one of Lewis' letters. The rest of the letters are condolence letters to Mr. and Mrs. Kluttz and most describe how he died and how he was a good soldier. This folder also contains a "In Remembrance" Card from Kluttz's funeral as well as 3 booklets of flower arrangements.