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Raymond L. Thompson papers

 Collection
Identifier: D.172

Biographical / Historical note

Raymond L. Thompson (1894-1962), University of Rochester Class of 1917, served in World War I and was successively assistant treasurer, treasurer, and vice president of the University of Rochester from 1927- 1959.

Scope and Contents

The Raymond L. Thompson Papers relate to the 310th Infantry, 78th Division of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I, in which Thompson served as an officer of operations - regimental intelligence. He obtained the rank of captain. The collection consists of official and personal accounts of the 310th's involvement in the war, photographs of the regiment, memorandums and field orders it received, and intelligence maps and reconnaissance photographs. The collection also includes some of Capt. Thompson's personal military papers and correspondence dating from August 1917 through June 1919. Among these letters and papers are Thompson's military identity card, his physical exam form, "issued equipment" documents, and his discharge papers. The 310th Infantry Regiment was first formed in August 1917, at Camp Dix, New Jersey with candidates from the Selective Draft filling its ranks. Training continued into the spring of 1918. In May of that year, the Regiment shipped out for Europe, arriving at the battle lines in France at the end of the Saint Mihiel salient (July 1918). The 78th Division was also involved in the Meuse-Argonne offensive (October 1918) and remained on front line duty until the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. Among the official documents in the collection is a pamphlet on the history of the 310th Infantry, (August 29, 1917- June 6, 1919), which was published in 1919?, complete with photographs of the officers and the platoons of the regiment; and another on the engagements of one company of the regiment, also published in 1919. An overview of the organization and operations of the entire American Expeditionary Force from May 26 through November 11, 1918, is provided by the summary report of John J. Pershing, the Commander-in-Chief of the A.E.F., and its accompanying maps. The Collection also contains accounts of personal experiences, and a narrative history of the 310th Infantry, 1917 1919, prepared by Captain Thompson. This narrative is a carbon typescript of a draft of Raymond L. Thompson's A History of the 310th Infantry, Seventy-Eighth Division, USA, 1919 (copy in the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, call number YLD 4750 T47h). The typescript contains material not used in the book. Further information about the activities of the 310th can be found in the memorandums, General Orders (July 1918 - September 1919), and Field Orders (August 1918 - November 1918) of the regiment. These are supplemented by a wealth of maps and aerial photographs, many of which show installations and troop movements.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1917-1921

Language of Materials

English

Extent

5 box(es)

Access

The Raymond L. Thompson Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Raymond L. Thompson Papers were purchased from The Yankee Peddler Bookshop, January 21, 1981.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Raymond L. Thompson Papers, D.172, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Title
Raymond L. Thompson papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA