Papers, photographs, and scrapbook, 1917-1973 [bulk 1917-1920].

ArchivalResource

Fritz, Albert W., 1897-1973. Papers, photographs, and scrapbook, 1917-1973 [bulk 1917-1920].

Papers, photographs, and scrapbook, 1917-1973 [bulk 1917-1920].

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/690905212

Papers, loose photographs, photographic scrapbook, and a slide pertaining to Albert W. Fritz, a Berlin, Wisconsin resident who served with Company I, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division during World War I and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Second Battle of the Marne (France, 1918). The papers are primarily an assortment of manuscripts covering his service and acceptance of the Distinguished Service Cross. Included are biographical materials, newspaper articles pertaining to Fritz's service and the war in general, a book charting his payments, and a poem about the service of the 1st Division during the war. Correspondence include a very interesting letter written by Fritz to his friend and fellow soldier, Albert Herbert, that discusses the wounds he received at the Battle of the Marne, names friends who were killed during the battle, and briefly describes his actions against German forces. Herbert was a friend from Berlin, Wisconsin who was killed in action before the letter was delivered. Other correspondence include a letter he wrote to his mother after returning to the United States and the telegram his parents received notifying them that Fritz had been severely wounded. There are also training notes Fritz wrote about uniform insignias and unit organization, oversized certificates, a military order giving him permission to wear a chevron indicating he had been wounded, and postwar papers pertaining to his request for an engraved Purple Heart and a new ribbon. The scrapbook contains images of Fritz and fellow soldiers taken during basic training and while stationed in France. There are also images taken at the family farm showing Fritz posing with his sister, Ellen, and his future wife, Lenora Kroll. The scrapbook also includes postcards depicting the USS George Washington transporting President Wilson to Europe after the war, along with additional images of U.S. Navy vessels. Loose photographs include a portrait of Fritz in uniform while wearing his Distinguished Service Cross medal, several images of him wearing his uniform and medal at the family farm, and a photograph of Fritz during basic training. Of interest are a series of images of Fritz taken in Germany that show him wearing the Distinguished Service Cross, with one image showing him cradling his rifle. Additional images include souvenir photographs and postcards collected by Fritz while he was in Europe, and an oversized lithographic print of a portrait of Fritz in uniform.

Papers : 0.2 linear ft. (1 archives box and 1 oversized folder) and.Photographs : 0.1 linear ft. (4 folders and 2 oversized folders) and.Paper Prints : 0.1 linear ft. (1 folder) and.Scrapbook : 0.2 linear ft. (1 flat box) and.Slides : 0.1 linear ft. (1 folder)

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center