The John C. Isermann collection is organized into two series: Papers (1917-1989), and Still Images (1917-1919).
Papers (1917-1989) consist of cartoons commenting on life in the Coast Guard and Navy, envelopes collected by Isermann, scattered notes and ephemera, and postcards collected and sent by Isermann during his service. Of interest are his three diaries, kept by Isermann during his service, and a 1919 timeline. These daily entry logs contain information about life on board a ship, including watches, illnesses, leave time, inspections, and orders. Of interest is a series of entries between April 28 and August 15 1919 that pertain to Isermann's being charged with dereliction of duty for leaving his watch post when he became ill. Described is the board of examination and courts martial that follow, and frequent postulating on his punishment. The ship board court martial ends in a sentence of death by firing squad, which was turned over to the Navy for review. During this time, Isermann wonders where they will execute him, how it will feel, and what his family will hear about him. The sentence is overturned, and a recommendation of dishonorable discharge is also rejected. Isermann was honorably discharged later in 1919. Other papers include a supply log for the U.S.S. Tuscarora kept by Isermann in 1919. Oversized materials include newspapers featuring Superdreadnought U.S.S. New York (BB-34), and an article about non-combat service in World War I. Other oversized materials include a Roll of Honor for Isermann's service and a certificate for crossing the Polar Circle for Isermann, Jr.
Still images (1917-1919) are mostly kept in three scrapbooks compiled by Isermann. These scrapbooks document Isermann's time in the Navy, featuring action shots of the crew on deck, and sailors posing for photographs, and relaxing. Also included are images of bridges, shorelines, and oceans where the Tuscarora sailed, and ports the ship visited. The first two scrapbooks contain images with no explanations, while the third contains images with captions. A few of these images are duplicates of those in the first two scrapbooks. Images in the third scrapbook include photographs from a leave taken in Chicago, images of a friend's family, and of his own family in Kenosha with some of his friends. Scattered throughout are images of a small dog named Dixie. Other images include sailors cleaning the deck with a firehose, relaxing on deck, and posing with various civilians in port. Negatives in this collection appear not to have corresponding positives, and are possibly of Camp Douglas, Wisconsin.
