The Archives, as well as the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, hold numerous collections relating to the role of UR students and faculty in wartime. The University's publications and photographic files also contain much information about the contributions of these men and women. For more information, contact theUniversity Archivist.
There are plaques commemorating those who lost their lives in battle hanging in Wilson Commons.
In Defence of the Union during the Civil War, 1861-1865 
About one hundred students and alumni of the University of Rochester served as volunteers in the army and navy. This inscription replaces a marble tablet formerly in Anderson Hall on which were recorded the names of ten of these Rochester soldiers who gave their lives to preserve the Union.
- Jeremiah C. Drake Class of 1852
- Sidney L. Richardson Class of 1853
- William L. Bristol Class of 1856
- Theodore E. Baker Class of 1857
- Sylvanus S. Wilcox Class of 1860
- Charles H. Savage Class of 1861
- Joseph Webster Class of 1861
- William C. Hall Class of 1863
- William E. Orr Class of 1864
- J. Harry Pool Class of 1865
Vita enim mortuorum
In memoria vivorum est posita
In Defense of the Nation during the World War, 1917-1918
Nearly nine hundred graduates, former students and undergraduates of this University entered military service. This tablet erected by the mother of Robert K. Dennison records the names of eleven of these college men who laid down their lives that the cause of liberty and honor might prevail.
- Harold C. Kimball, Class of 1911
- John H. Lehnen, Class of 1912
- Everett C. Case, Class of 1913
- Lawrence B. Atkins, Class of 1915
- Harry O. Ferguson, Class of 1916
- Leon H. Buckler, Class of 1917
- Charles H. Evans, Class of 1918
- Robert K. Dennison, Class of 1919
- Samuel R. McNair, Class of 1919
- Jules V. Fish, Class of 1920
- G. Barstow Fraley, Class of 1920
Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori
This plaque honors the memory of University of Rochester alumni who gave their lives in World War II to preserve the freedom and liberty we enjoy today.
- Alexander D. Allen '43
- Alan Y. Austin '43
- Albert H. Baker '42
- Bruce Beghold '47
- Walter E. Bond, Jr. '39
- Philip William Carey '39
- Harold Richard Carlson '46
- Robert E. Claudius '46
- Marvin Cooke
- Gordon E. Davis '45
- Robert S. Day '44
- Robert George Dean '46
- James Deming '44
- Ronald W. Doll '36
- Darwin K. Dunning '39
- James E. Elliott '40
- Walter T. Enright '30
- Jacob Thomas Farris
- William H. Frick '44
- Robert L. Fritschel '42
- Mason C. Gaffney '22
- Percival H. Granger '46
- Lyman Brinkman Hart '47
- John Haruk '39
- Allen J. Haupenthal '42
- David William Hayes, Jr. '43
- John L. Hazen, Jr. '43
- Paul Husted '45
- Earl W. Krumwiede '46
- Gordon K. Lambert '32, '35 (MD)
- James C. Lawrence '43
- James J. LeClare '37
- Marvin E. Lee '42
- Bjorn S. Lindboe '45
- Armon H. Livermore '44
- Arthur E. Loeser '23
- Edward W. Maher '43
- Ellis Medvin '44
- Walter T. Menegazzi '43
- Joseph A. Morton '42
- Robert A. Neumer '44
- Donald T. O'Keefe '41
- Franklin R. Parske '41
- Robert H. Patchen '43
- Earl W. Rubens '35
- Paul Schmidt '45
- Harold J. Schott, Jr. '46
- Norbert Schulz '45
- Roger D. Skinner '38
- Robert Speas '42
- Richard W. Stoll '43
- Lee H. Streeter '44
- Wilfred N. Tanenbaum '42
- Gerald R. Thoman '42
- Ralph E. Wersinger '35
- Vernon P. Winton
- Robert H. Zwierschke '39
A gift from University of Rochester veterans of World War II
Dedicated on October 25, 1996
Freedom Is Not Free
This plaque honors the memory of University of Rochester alumni who gave their lives in the defense of freedom during the Korean War, 1950-1953
- George W. Dykema, Jr. '51
- Charles S. Langtry '45
- Spiro J. Peters '50
- Lester L. Shade '47
A gift from the University of Rochester veterans
Dedicated October 13, 2000 on the occasion of the University's Sesquicentennial
Vietnam War
- Ralph Button '56
- James R. Dennison '56
- Robert N. Funk '67
- Carl Hansen, Jr '60
- Gary D. Hopps '61
- Thomas G. King '66
- Joseph R. Klugg '65E
- William Lanham '65
- James E. Morse '68
- Victor Ohanesian
- Lester R. Oonk
- Hendrick H. Pruyn '56
- Rodney Reed '66
- Edward l. Romig '63
- Donald C. Thompson '62
- Thomas J. Walter '62
- Armour D. Wilcox III '68
One of the University of Rochester alums who gave his life in the Vietnam War was 2nd Lt. Thomas G. King, USMC Class of 1966.
Thomas George King was born June 5, 1944 in Penfield, NY. As a midshipman, he was an active participant in both the NROTC and University communities, being the Battalion Commander his senior year 1966. Upon Graduation, he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps June 6, 1966 (King was 1 of 13 University of Rochester seniors to receive armed forces commission on commencement day). After completing the Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, King was assigned to Company B, First Battalion, 9th Marines, 3ed Marin Division in the Republic of Vietnam. After taking part in numerous small arms skirmishes (including 6 combat operations in the Quang Tri Province from March 10 - July 2, 1967), Lt. King was killed in action on July 2, 1967 while leading his platoon under enemy small and mortar arms fire.
King's men described him as decisive, courageous under fire, and able to lead in combat even when wounded. His superiors lauded his resourcefulness and quick actions when faced with overwhelming odds and the aggressive and thoughtful manner in which he fought the enemy. His decorations include two Purple Hearts, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Commendation Medal to include gallantry cross with palm. For his bravery, heroism and professionalism under fire, King was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V." He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors and his name adorns the Vietnam memorials in Washington D.C.
[This is an amalgam of a short newspaper article and two brief biographies, one of which was written by Captain Daniel A. Wilson.]