This collection is comprised of biographical records, letters, newspaper clippings, and photographs pertaining to servicemen from San Diego who served in World War I. The collection originated from the San Diego Branch of the California War History Committee which distributed “biography cards” to the public in order to obtain information about the county’s veterans. The San Diego Public Library played a large part in this process by helping the committee gather information, putting the compiled list of names on display, and preserving the records. The city librarian at the time, Althea Warren, served on the committee and eventually brought the records to the city library as part of its holdings. Much of the information on the servicemen from National City was gathered by Mrs. Fannie Thelen, who served as the publicity chair on the San Diego County Women’s Committee and longtime member of the National City library board. Her letters to servicemen and their family members makes up the majority of the correspondence in the collection. The service members represented throughout the collection come from diversified backgrounds including of all branches of service, varying education level, ethnicity, and gender. Highlights include an African American sailor who professed his love of the Navy, a photograph of a female nurse in her Red Cross uniform, a soldier pictured in front of the Eiffel Tower, a newspaper correspondent who was the brother of Brigadier General Joseph H. Pendleton, and several valor medal recipients.

3 boxes, 1.5 linear ft.

San Diego Public Library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claims of the copyright holder. Permission to copy or publish any portion of San Diego Public Library's collection must be given by the San Diego Public Library.

Collection is open for research.