Summary Information
McCoy Family Papers and Still Images
1940-1946
WVM Mss 1360
2.4 linear ft. (5 archives boxes and 2 oversized boxes) of papers and 0.3 linear ft. (1 archives box and 1 oversized folder) of still images [119 still images]
Wisconsin Veterans Museum (Map)
Papers and still images pertaining to the McCoy family, of Sparta, Wisconsin, who were active in the Wisconsin National Guard and 32nd Division. The family is also the namesake of Fort McCoy, also located near Sparta. The collection centers around Robert Charles McCoy and his immediate family, with some materials pertaining to Fort McCoy. The majority of manuscripts for Robert Charles McCoy are from his service with the 32nd Division during World War II and pertain to his service and family relationships. Most of the collection is correspondences Robert Charles kept with his immediate family, extended family and friends. Topics in these letters include Robert Charles' service, family matters, and running the family farm. Other papers include military and veteran records, newspaper articles focused on the family and individual members, and scattered papers from family members. Family correspondence also focuses on the splitting up of the estate of his father, General Robert Bruce, after his death. Materials from Fort McCoy include photographs, invitations, articles and pamphlets. Photographs in this collection are mostly family photographs, featuring Robert Charles, his immediate family, his father, General Robert Bruce, and his grandfather, Bruce Elijah. A few images from World War II depict soldiers and living quarters in the South Pacific.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.wvm-mss01360 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
The McCoy Family
A detailed family tree indicating family relationships and military service can be found in the Appendix, also located (B7, F1).
Robert Charles McCoy was born in Sparta, Wisconsin in 1898 to General Robert Bruce McCoy and Lillian (Riege) McCoy. After completing high school, Robert Charles joined the Wisconsin National Guard at the age of 17, claiming to be 18. He served with Company L, 3rd Wisconsin National Guard in the Mexican Border War along with his brothers Malcolm Clark and Bruce Riege, cousin Alex Gibbon and father, General Robert Bruce. After returning to Wisconsin, Robert Charles continued training with the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Division, and was deployed with them in World War I, again serving with Bruce Reige, Alex Gibbon and General Robert Bruce. After World War I, Robert Charles returned to Sparta and married Alberta Isabelle Isensee. The two ran a family farm and had six children between 1925 and 1940. In 1940, Robert Charles' Wisconsin National Guard unit was activated for training and national service as the 32nd Division, moving him to training camps in the Southern United States. During his training, Robert Bruce served in camps in Louisiana, Florida, and California. For additional training, Robert Charles was sent to Australia, and later was moved to Buna, then back to Australia. Robert Charles moved back to the United States in 1944 and was discharged in 1945. After World War II, Robert Charles returned to Sparta and farming, also working in local politics and government, until his death in 1992.
Alberta Isabelle McCoy was born in Sparta, Wisconsin, in 1902 to Albert and Mary Isensee, from Little Falls, Wisconsin. She attended high school with Lillian Jean McCoy, graduated in 1922, and married Robert Charles McCoy in 1923. While Robert Charles was training with the military and overseas, Alberta ran the family home and farm herself, as well as raising six children. Alberta died in 1989.
Harold Doescher McCoy was born in Sparta, Wisconsin, in 1900 to Lillian (Riege) McCoy and General Robert Bruce McCoy. Harold Doescher served in the Wisconsin National Guard, and later studied law and moved to Washington, D.C. to study and practice. Early in World War II, he married Laura Marguerite Osgood. Harold Doescher died in 1992.
Mary Ellen McCoy Kennedy was born in Sparta, Wisconsin, in 1925 to Alberta and Robert Charles McCoy. The eldest child of the McCoys, she lived in La Crosse, Wisconsin, early in World War II and studied nursing there. Later, she moved from La Crosse to California, working as a nurse there. While living in California, she met Rex Kennedy and the two married in 1948. The two started having children soon after their marriage.
General Robert Bruce McCoy was born in Sparta, Wisconsin, in 1867 to Bruce Elijah and Sarah (Bowker) McCoy. Robert Bruce served with Company L, 3rd Wisconsin in the Spanish-American War with his brother, Clark Stuart. Robert Bruce also served with the 3rd Wisconsin in the Punitive Expedition in Mexico, then with the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Division in World War I. Robert Bruce married Lillian Riege and had seven children: Malcolm Clark, Bruce Riege, Robert Charles, Harold Doescher, Stuard Bowker, Lillian Jean and Douglas Donald. Lillian (Riege) McCoy died in 1910 in a car accident. Robert Bruce re-married Mae Belle Oswald. With him in service in the Punitive Expedition were his sons Malcolm, Robert, and Bruce, as well as his nephew, Alex Gibbon. Robert, Bruce and Alex also served with the 32nd Division in World War I. General Robert Bruce died in 1926 and is buried in Woodlawn cemetery in Sparta.
Robert Bruce McCoy was born in Sparta, Wisconsin, in 1927 to Robert Charles and Alberta. In World War II, he served 1945-1946 in Chicago. Robert Bruce died in 2010.
Stuart Bowker McCoy was born in Sparta, Wisconsin, in 1902 to General Robert Bruce and Lillian McCoy. Stuart served in the National Guard between the two World Wars. Stuart worked for the Wisconsin government in Tomah, Wisconsin, after his service, and married Vera Neuville. The two had two children: Donald Stuart and Vera Jean. Stuart Bowker died in 1991.
Fort McCoy was founded near Sparta, Wisconsin, after it was noted the lands around Sparta were good for military training grounds. In 1909, the Fort was split in two Camps: Robinson and Emory. These camps were joined together and added to with land previously owned by General Robert Bruce McCoy, and named in honor of his father, Bruce Elijah McCoy in 1925. During wars and conflicts, the Fort has served to train military servicemen. During peacetimes, the Fort has been used to train National Guard troops, as well as serving as many other purposes for the Army and Sparta. Notably, the Camp served to house prisoners of war, such as Japanese and German citizens in World War II. In 1974, Camp McCoy was upgraded to Fort, and still serves as a military training camp.
Scope and Content Note
The Robert Charles McCoy collection is arranged into eight series: Robert Charles McCoy (1905-1992), Alberta Isensee McCoy (1922-1976), Harold Doescher McCoy (1925-1981), Mary Ellen McCoy Kennedy (1941-1957), General Robert Bruce McCoy (1900-1981), Robert Bruce McCoy (1941-1950), Stuart Bowker McCoy (1928-1957), and Fort McCoy (1909-1989).
Robert Charles McCoy (1905-1992) series is comprised mainly of correspondence between Robert Charles and his family. Biographical materials include a family tree for reference (B7, F1), family records of marriages, births, deaths, and war bonds purchased. Other materials include obituaries and memorials for various family members, personal memoirs from Robert Charles, and histories of surnames.
Correspondence from Robert Charles is mainly from World War II and his pre-war training. Letters written to his family are letters Robert Charles sent to his wife and children, with letters sent to Alberta and specific children separated. These letters to his family detail life in camps, training, and his service, as well as expressing concern for family affairs. Letters written to Robert Charles include condolences for his father's death in 1926, letters from family and friends wishing him luck in the war, and setting family affairs. Miscellaneous correspondence includes letters from unidentified correspondence and business affairs. Miscellaneous postcards include postcards sent to and from family members.
Articles include correspondence pieces on the actions of the 32nd Division and Robert Charles during World War II, actions of the 32nd Division after World War II, events in which family members participated, military service pieces on the family, and articles on Robert Charles. Events include invitations, programs, news stories, and speeches collected and written by Robert Charles for various holidays and dedications.
Personal papers include school and education materials, a diary from his childhood, ledger diaries from 1921 to 1927 that detail expenses from the farm and daily activities, a family Christmas Card and ephemera. Election and campaign materials include stationary, announcements and articles on Robert Charles' campaign for County Clerk. Veterans and military materials include orders, notes, and various papers from his service. Also included are his retirement materials, veteran pension records, clippings and ephemera from his involvement in various veterans groups.
Still images are mainly family photographs with a few scattered service images. Family photographs include Bruce Riege, his son, Robert Bruce, and his children outside their house. Also included are photographs of Robert Charles, his wife and children. There are images from a memorial dedication and his veterans activities, including the 32nd Division Old Timer's Club. Of interest are the images from Australia and Buna during World War II. These images feature soldiers working on clearing away trees and brush, the 128th mess hall, and Robert Charles posed with various servicemen.
Alberta McCoy (1922-1976) series consists mostly of correspondence sent to Alberta during World War II. Many of these letters are from family members on the McCoy or Isensee side of the family, and cover family news, plans for the future, and details about life on the farm. Letters from Alberta are mostly written to her children while she spent time with Robert Charles in 1942 in Louisiana. Of interest is a letter (October 31, 1943) to Alberta from Homer S. Reese, who trained at Camp McCoy, thanking her for her kindness. In this letter, he expresses his admiration of her and tells her that to him, she is America and all the best of America. Other materials include a certificate, a yearbook, and two photographs of Alberta.
Harold Doescher McCoy (1925-1981) series is comprised mostly of correspondence sent to his family. These letters include a letter to his grandfather, in which he describes the funeral of William Jennings Bryan, and having met Bryan previously. Also of interest is a letter written to his sister about meeting President Coolidge at the White House. This letter shares details about the party and White House, being unimpressed by Coolidge and charmed by his wife. In this letter, he also describes the dress worn by the First Lady for his sister. Other correspondence shares details about his life in Washington, D.C., and papers include articles about the McCoy family.
Mary Ellen McCoy Kennedy (1941-1957) series consists mainly of correspondence sent by Mary Ellen to her mother and family during her training to be a nurse, then living as a nurse in California. These letters discuss her training, firendships, and the hardships of living as a nurse in California. Still images include a photograph from her wedding in 1948 and images of her family in 1957.
General Robert Bruce McCoy (1900-1981) series is mostly articles featuring Robert Bruce and his family. Other papers include obituaries, tributes, and copies of a letter from World War I. Still images feature his service in Span-Am, the Punitive Expedition, training at various forts, and a portrait from 1900.
Robert Bruce McCoy (1941-1950) series is mostly correspondence regarding his entrance examinations for West Point. Letters indicate that Robert Bruce was denied entrance to West Point because of his teeth, and following that denial, he petitioned various admissions officers for admittance and review of his case. Also included is a telegram from a congressman supporting his cause. Other materials include a letter to his parents, a letter of support from his aunt, articles about his education, and portraits of Robert Bruce as a child. Military papers summarize his service at the end of World War II.
Stuart Bowker McCoy (1928-1957) series includes correspondence, papers from his service, and still images. Correspondence is written to his siblings are in reference to the land and estate left to the group by their father upon his death; the fair distribution of costs and wealth; as well as family news. Service papers are copies of orders sent to the Adjutant during his service. Still images are photographs from his daughter's wedding in 1957.
Fort McCoy (1909-1989) series consists mainly of newspapers, pamphlets and histories. The articles cover the history of the Camp, changes in the uses, and the eventual upgrade to Fort. Articles also discuss the impact of the Camp on Sparta, the use of the camp by various groups, and the settlement of Cuban refugees at the camp. Still images include a lithograph from Camp Emory before it merged with Camp Williamson to form Camp McCoy, and a series of images of Robert Charles and Douglas Donald at Fort McCoy.
Related Material
Related materials concerning General Robert Bruce McCoy, Malcolm McCoy, and Fort McCoy may be found in the Robert B. McCoy Collection; WVM Mss 678.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Margaret Schad, 2009. Accession Number: Mss2009.031.
Processed by Andrew Baraniack in 2009. Re-processed by Brittany Strobel, in 2015.
Contents List
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Series: Robert Charles McCoy
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Box
1
Folder
1
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Biographical, undated
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Box
7
Folder
1
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Family tree
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Box
1
Folder
2
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Obituary, 1992
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Box
7
Folder
5
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Bruce Elijah, 1925
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Box
1
Folder
3
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Reminiscences, 1978-1983
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Box
7
Folder
4
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Oversized, 1978
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Box
1
Folder
4
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War bonds, 1947
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Subseries: Correspondence
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From Robert Charles
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Box
1
Folder
5-13
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Alberta, 1922-1944, undated
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Box
1
Folder
14-21
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Family, 1940-1944
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Box
2
Folder
1-5
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Continued, 1944-1946, undated
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Box
2
Folder
6
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Katherine, 1940-1942, undated
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Box
2
Folder
7
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Margaret, 1940-1941
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Box
2
Folder
8
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Mary Ellen, 1940-1944, undated
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Box
2
Folder
19
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Postcards, 1937-1941
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Box
2
Folder
9
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Robert Bruce, 1940-1941
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Box
2
Folder
11
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Stuart Charles, 1940-1943
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Box
2
Folder
21
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Telegrams, 1940-1944
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Box
2
Folder
23
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V-mail, 1942-1943
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Box
2
Folder
10
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Siblings, 1934-1978
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To Robert Charles
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Box
2
Folder
12
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Aunt Mary, 1944
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Box
2
Folder
13
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Condolences, 1926
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Box
2
Folder
14
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McCoy children, 1941-1942
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Box
2
Folder
22
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Telegrams, 1946, undated
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Box
2
Folder
15
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Mecca McCoy, 1945-1969
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Box
2
Folder
16
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Military related, 1921-1978
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Box
2
Folder
17
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Miscellaneous, 1934-1985
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Box
2
Folder
18
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Miscellaneous postcards, undated
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Box
2
Folder
20
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Stuart Charles, 1942
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Subseries: Articles
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Box
2
Folder
24-25
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32nd Division, WWII, 1941-1945
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Box
7
Folder
7
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Oversized, 1941-1945
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Box
6
Folder
5
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Post-WWII, 1953-1956, undated
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Box
7
Folder
2
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Campaign, 1956
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Box
7
Folder
3
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Events, 1956
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Box
7
Folder
9
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Military service, 1956, 1986
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Box
3
Folder
2
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Robert Charles WWII, 1940-1945
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Box
3
Folder
3
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Robert Charles, 1942-1980
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Subseries: Events
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Box
3
Folder
4
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Memorial day services, 1917-1960
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Box
3
Folder
5
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Monroe County Historical Society, 1985
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Box
3
Folder
6
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Operation Welcome Home, 1991
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Box
3
Folder
11
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Speaking events, 1940-1986
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Subseries: Personal papers
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Box
2
Folder
27
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Campaign materials, 1956
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Box
6
Folder
3
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Advertisements, 1956
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Box
2
Folder
29
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Deeds, 1931-1956
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Box
2
Folder
30
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Diary, 1909
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Box
2
Folder
31
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Douglas Donald McCoy business card, 1942
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Box
2
Folder
32
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Education, 1905-1917
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Box
2
Folder
33
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Ephemera, undated
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Box
2
Folder
34
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Family Christmas card, 1957
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Box
3
Folder
1
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High school yearbook, 1917
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Box
5
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Ledger diaries, 1921-1927
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Box
3
Folder
9
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Reunions, 1967, undated
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Box
3
Folder
13
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Veterans materials, 1958-1978
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Subseries: Veteran and military papers
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Box
6
Folder
2
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32nd Division napkin, undated
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Box
2
Folder
26
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A.E.F. leave and bread tickets book, 1918
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Box
2
Folder
28
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Certificates, 1950-1987
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Box
2
Folder
35
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Fort McCoy invitations, 1988
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Box
3
Folder
7
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Report, National defense committee, 1976
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Box
3
Folder
8
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Retirement, 1958-1973
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Box
3
Folder
10
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Service records, 1917-1958
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Box
3
Folder
12
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Training notes, undated
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Subseries: Still images
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Box
8
Folder
1
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32nd Division Old Timer's club [1] , 1985
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Box
8
Folder
2
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128th Infantry Club, Australia [10] 1943
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Box
8
Folder
4
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Armed Forces Day Reception [3] , 1969
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Family
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Box
8
Folder
3
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Bruce Elijah [3] , 1916-1917
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Box
8
Folder
13
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Miscellaneous [8] , 1920-1944
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Box
8
Folder
6
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Robert Charles [4] , 1940-1945
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Box
8
Folder
5
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Memorial dedication, Monroe County [6] 1986
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PhOv
12
Folder
8
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Oversized portrait [1] , circa 1940
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Box
8
Folder
7
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Salute [1] , 1985
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Box
8
Folder
8
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Soldiers, Pacific Theater [5] 1943
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Box
8
Folder
9
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Sophomore class [1] , 1915
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Box
8
Folder
10
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World War II [11] , 1940-1944
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Series: Alberta McCoy
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Box
3
Folder
14
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Certificates
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Subseries: Correspondence
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From Alberta
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Box
3
Folder
15
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Children, 1941-1973, undated
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Box
3
Folder
17
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Mary Ellen, 1942
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Box
3
Folder
34
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Postcards, 1941
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Box
3
Folder
20
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Robert Bruce, undated
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Box
3
Folder
16
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Dottie, undated
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Box
3
Folder
18
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McCoy family, 1944
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Box
3
Folder
19
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Philip Isensee
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Box
3
Folder
21
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Robert Charles, 1934
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To Alberta
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Box
3
Folder
22
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Allie McCoy, 1941
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Box
3
Folder
23
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Friends, 1940-1942
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Box
3
Folder
24
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Isensee family, 1942-1943
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Box
3
Folder
25
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Katherine McCoy, undated
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Box
3
Folder
26
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Laura McCoy, 1940-1944
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Box
3
Folder
27
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Lillian (McCoy) Riley, 1940-1941
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Box
3
Folder
28
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Margaret McCoy, 1941
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Box
3
Folder
29
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Marilyn Mathilda McCoy, 1976
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Box
3
Folder
30
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Mecca McCoy, 1941
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Box
3
Folder
31
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Miscellaneous, 1943-1944, undated
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Box
3
Folder
32
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Tyler Barney, 1943
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Box
3
Folder
33
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Vera McCoy, 1941
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Box
3
Folder
35
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High school yearbook, 1921
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Box
8
Folder
11
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Still images [2] , 1921-1944
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Series: Harold Doescher McCoy
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Subseries: Correspondence
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Box
3
Folder
36
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Aunt Mary to Harold and Laura, undated
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From Harold
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Box
3
Folder
37
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Alberta, 1942
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Box
3
Folder
38
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Bruce Elijah, 1925
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Box
3
Folder
39
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Lawrence Lotto and Everend Munsey, 1976
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Box
3
Folder
40
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Mary Ellen, 1935
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Box
3
Folder
41
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General Robert Bruce, 1925
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Box
3
Folder
42
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Robert Charles, 1942-1981
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Box
3
Folder
43
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Sister, 1925
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Box
3
Folder
44
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Stuart Bowker, 1925
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Box
3
Folder
45
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Papers, 1925-1985
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Series: Mary Ellen McCoy Kennedy
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Subseries: Correspondence
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From Mary Ellen
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Box
4
Folder
1
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Alberta, 1941-1943
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Box
4
Folder
2-5
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Family, 1942-1947, undated
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Box
4
Folder
6
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Katherine, 1947-1949
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Box
4
Folder
7
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Margaret, 1946-1947
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Box
4
Folder
9
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Postcards, 1946
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Box
4
Folder
8
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Robert Bruce, 1946
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Box
8
Folder
12
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Still images, family [9] 1948-1957
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Series: General Robert Bruce McCoy
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Box
4
Folder
10
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Letter, undated
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Box
4
Folder
11
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Letterhead, 1920
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Box
4
Folder
12
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Obituaries, 1926
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Box
4
Folder
13
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Promotion, 1924
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Box
4
Folder
14
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Tributes, 1944-1981
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Box
6
Folder
4
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Articles, 1937-1944
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Box
7
Folder
6
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Oversized, 1926
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Subseries: Still images
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Box
8
Folder
14
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Service [7] , 1898-1917
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Box
8
Folder
15
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World War II Armistice postcards [15] , 1918
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Series: Robert Bruce McCoy
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Subseries: Correspondence
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Box
4
Folder
15
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Lillian McCoy to Robert Bruce, 1941
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Box
4
Folder
16
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Robert Bruce to Alberta, 1944
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Box
4
Folder
17
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West Point, 1945
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Box
4
Folder
18
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Education, 1941-1945
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Box
4
Folder
19
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Military papers, 1945-1946
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Box
4
Folder
20
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News clippings, 1941-1950
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Box
8
Folder
16
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Still images [4] , undated
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Series: Stuart Bowker McCoy
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Subseries: Correspondence from Stuart Bowker
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Box
4
Folder
21
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Robert Charles and Alberta, 1928-1944
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Box
4
Folder
22
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Harold Doescher, 1942
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Box
4
Folder
23
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L.A. Hansen, 1944
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Box
4
Folder
24
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Siblings, 1930-1976
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Box
4
Folder
25
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Special orders, Adjutant General's office, 1930
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Box
8
Folder
17
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Still images, wedding, 1957 [2]
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Series: Fort McCoy
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Box
4
Folder
26
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Camp Inauguration, 1942
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Box
4
Folder
27
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Camp map, 1942
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Box
6
Folder
1
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Certificate holders, undated
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Box
4
Folder
28
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Command change ceremony, 1978
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Box
4
Folder
29
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History articles, 1946-1989
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Box
7
Folder
8
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Oversized, 1953-1989
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Box
4
Folder
30
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Jobs corps center, 1966-1968
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Box
4
Folder
31
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Newspaper articles, 1967-1989
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Box
4
Folder
32
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Women's club, 1987-1988
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Subseries: Still images
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Box
8
Folder
18
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Camp Emory [1] , 1909
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Box
8
Folder
19
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Robert Charles and Douglas Donald at Fort McCoy [15] , 1967
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