Part 1 (Mss 781, PH 3908, PH 3909): Original Collection, 1899-1987
Physical Description: 1.6 cubic feet (4 archives boxes and 1 oversize folder) and 110 photographs (5 folders) 
Scope and Content Note

The Choinski papers, which were arranged by the Mr. Choinski himself, consist of a lengthy MEMOIR, SUBJECT FILE of clippings, other documents and PHOTOGRAPHS.

Several parts of the chronologically arranged MEMOIR deserve special mention. The most extensive part of the memoir concerns Choinski's assignments in Alaska and in postwar Korea. This part of the memoir is based on Choinski's lengthy and detailed letters to his wife who did not accompany him, and transcriptions of many letters are included. Sections on his work in the Wisconsin National Guard are brief and somewhat anecdotal, although they include a complete file of his editorials advocating a new airport for Madison and an interesting internal report by Choinski to Immell on the little known printing of state scrip during the four-day New Deal bank holiday. (See Wisconsin Blue book, 1933, p. 294.)

The Korean section details some interesting examples of the deterioration of U.S. Soviet wartime cooperation in the immediate postwar era, such as an official protest by the Soviets about Choinski for unwarranted confrontations with Soviet officials and regulations. Accounts of his assignment as military attache at the American Embassy in Poland and in establishing two CIA intelligence schools in Thailand in 1954 are less extensive but interesting. The section on the Military Assistance Institute contains only one of the many country studies which Choinski researched and wrote for officers assigned overseas. This section includes, however, a noteworthy file on his tour of Vietnam in 1960, an annotated Vietnam policy notebook, and his history of the institute prepared in 1968.

Within the SUBJECT FILE is genealogical information on the Choinski family, his military 201 file, copies of personal income tax records, and a file of some miscellaneous writings including a history of the origin of Flag Day in the Stony Hill School House, Waubeka, Wisconsin, in 1885. Also of note is a file containing copies of medical records, a diary concerning his bout with bladder cancer during the 1960s, and prints from the chop blocks made for the Choinskis in Korea.

The PHOTOGRAPHS include images of Choinski, his family, and photographs related to aspects of his career. Also included are reproductions of Marion Choinski's artwork.

Series: Memoir

Introduction

Youth

Civilian activities

Military activities

Preparing for war

Aleutians and Alaska

Soviets in Alaska

“I Get a Command”

North Korea

So-Book Northwest Youth Association flag
Alternate Format: Image available online.

South Korea

Poland and Washington, D.C.

Thailand and Pentagon duty

Military Assistance Institute

“I Go to Vietnam”

Series: Subject File

Freelancing, 1958-1971

“In the eyes of the beholder”

Choinski family in Poland

Choinski family in Milwaukee

Immediate family

Education

Travel

Health

Writings

Memorabilia

Military service records

Income tax records

Series: Photographs

Family and early life

Aleutians

Korea

Thailand

Choinski, later in life

Reproductions of Marion Choinski's artwork

Part 2 (M97-082): Additions, undated
Physical Description: 0.1 cubic feet (1 folder) 
Scope and Content Note: Genealogical information about the Choinski family, clippings on the Vance and Pueblo affairs, an article written by Colonel Choinski about the U.S. Navy, and Colonel Choinski's military record.