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Summary Information
Gerald Endl Papers and Still Images
1935-2010
WVM Mss 1541
0.8 linear ft. (1 archive box, one flat box, and two flat folders) of papers and 0.5 linear ft. (1 archives box, one oversized flat box, and one negative flap) of still images.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum (Map)
Papers and still images pertaining to Gerald L. Endl, a Janesville, Wisconsin resident who was killed in action during World War II and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions while in combat with the 32nd Division in New Guinea. The collection includes various documents and photographs that cover his entry into service, basic training at Camp Livingston (Louisiana), being sent to Australia and New Guinea, and his death and awarding of the Medal of Honor. Also included are manuscripts pertaining to various events and memorials that were collected by his widow, Anna Marie.
The majority of the manuscripts pertain to Endl's death while fighting near Anamo, New Guinea, the presentation of the Medal of Honor, and the re-interment of his remains in Wisconsin. Endl was first reported to be missing in action and was later confirmed to have been killed. Included are the telegrams sent to Anna Marie informing her that he was first missing and later reported killed in action, official letters from military officials, and newspaper clippings reporting his death. Also included are sympathy letters written by the captain of Endl's company, a friend of his from the Army, various neighbors, and also from friends Endl had from his time in Australia. Documents pertaining to the posthumous awarding of the Medal of Honor include the original citation signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, various newspaper clippings, and a copy of the transcript from the presentation of the medal to Anna Marie and his parents. Materials relating to the re-interment of his remains in Wisconsin feature a letter verifying the location of his grave in New Guinea, a telegram informing that his remains were en route to the United States, various burial papers, the funeral guestbook, and newspaper clippings documenting the event.
Other manuscripts from his service include biographical information, various certificates, and prayer books carried by Endl. The collection also includes items kept by Anna Marie after Gerald's death. These include military benefit papers, documents relating to streets being named after Endl at military bases, reunion materials from New Guinea, and information about Endl and other Medal of Honor recipients sent to Anna Marie by the Medal of Honor Society. Most of the manuscripts had originally been placed in a scrapbook by Anna Marie that was dismantled for preservation reasons. Two mailing tubes, one with Endl's handwriting are also part of the manuscript collection. Photocopies of the original scrapbook were made and retained in the collection.
Still images are mostly loose photographs and a scrapbook from Endl's training and service. The scrapbook documents his time in basic training at Camp Livingston and includes images of Endl, individual soldiers, daily activities, weapons training, and drill instruction. Most of the photographs were identified with captions written by Endl. Other photographs include portrait images of Endl in uniform, additional basic training shots, and photographs taken of Endl on New Guinea. Of particular interest are two images of Endl with Anna Marie and his parents while at Camp Livingston, which includes one that shows the family sitting with the rest of the unit at Christmas dinner in 1941. Also included are photographs of the family Endl befriended while in Australia, two images from his funeral in Wisconsin, photographs of the medal presentation, and a photograph of the dedication of Endl Street at the military base in Sondai, Japan. The photo negative in the collection is of an identified photograph in the collection that was taken during Endl's basic training.
English
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