Philip C. F. Bankwitz was born 24 February 1924, the son of Charles Edward Bankwitz and Elizabeth Farwell Bankwitz. He was raised in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. He received his education at Harvard University (B.A., 1947; M.A., 1948; Ph.D., 1952). In 1954, he joined the History Department at Trinity College where he spent his career until his retirement in 1969. A scholar of modern France, Dr. Bankwitz' fluency in French made possible his assignment to the French 2nd Armored Division, one of only thirty Americans to serve with this elite unit of the Free French Forces during World War II. For his service to France, he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre. A long-time resident of Farmington, CT, Dr. Bankwitz died on 21 December 2003.
From the description of Philip Bankwitz Research collection, 1928-1994. (University of Connecticut). WorldCat record id: 228890105
