William Diles and Thomas Morgan World War II papers
Scope and Content
William Diles and Thomas Morgan World War II (WWII) papers span from the 1930s to the 2000s and document Diles' and Morgan's military participation in WWII. The collection contains army company histories shown through informational pamphlets and rosters, photographs of the 387th infantry, I company from WWII, both formal and informal. The collection also contains several maps of routes taken by the infantries, offensive movements, and locations. There are also personal items from Diles and Morgan such as letters, daily schedules, discharge papers, photographs and veterans applications. Finally, the collection contains information about reunions held across the world by members of the 387th infantry after the war.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1930-2000
Language of Materials
The records are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Ohio University Libraries.
Conditions Governing Use
Ohio University retains all property rights to the collection.
Ohio University retains all copyrights unless retained by the donor, other correspondents, or other artists.
Biography of William Diles and Thomas Morgan
William Diles and Thomas Morgan both served with the 97th Division, 387th Infantry during World War II (WWII). The 97th Division was crucial in the freeing of the Flossenburg Concentration Camp. After the freeing of Flossenburg, the 97th went on to liberate the city of Cheb, which was a strong center for the Nazi party, in what is present day Czech Republic. The 387th Infantry was key in the liberation of the city, taking the airport and over 600 prisoners in a brief engagement on April 25, 1945. The war on the western front started to wind down soon after the taking of Cheb with President Eisenhower taking the unconditional surrender of the Germans on May 7, 1945, about a week and a half after Cheb. The war would continue on the Eastern front in Japan with the 97th Division being one of the only infantries to serve in both theaters in the war.
Diles of Middleport, Ohio, was inducted into the United States Army on April 16, 1943 to serve with the 88th Glider Infantry. He was later moved to the Army Air Corps and then finally the 97th Division, 387th Infantry, Company I where he served in combat in Germany, Czechoslovakia, and had occupation duty in Japan. Diles was discharged on March 16, 1946.
Morgan of Vandergrift, Pennsylvania entered into the United States Army after just his 18th birthday in 1942. Morgan was stationed in many places throughout the United States and kept a well-detailed map of his travels. Soon after joining the army, he was sent overseas where he spent 10 months and twenty-three days according to his discharge record. Morgan's job in the 387th infantry was that of light mortar crewman. He earned many medals and awards. Morgan left the 387th infantry on March 18th 1946. Over the next six decades he would become very active in organizing reunions with his fellow comrades in the United States, the Czech Republic and throughout Europe. He also lobbied for the distribution of medals that he believed he and his comrades had earned while fighting in WWII.
Extent
0.6 cubic feet
Abstract
William Diles and Thomas Morgan World War II (WWII) papers span from the 1930s to the 2000s and document Diles' and Morgan's military participation in WWII.
Statement of Arrangement
The collection remains in its original arrangement.
Other Finding Aid
A paper copy of the folder list is available.
Acquisition Information
The Ohio University Archives received the collection on an unknown date.
Existence and Location of Copies
Ohio University will entertain requests to photocopy reasonable amounts of material from the collection for the convenience of individual researchers.
Description Note
Original, legacy collection inventories may contain inaccuracies or be incomplete. Collection descriptions may change or be updated as they are verified. Please contact Mahn Center staff if you note any errors or discrepancies.
Subject
- Diles, William (Person)
- Morgan, Thomas (Person)
- United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 387th. Company I. (Organization)
- United States. Army -- Regimental histories (Organization)
- Title
- Finding aid for the William Diles and Thomas Morgan World War II papers
- Author
- Starting by Clarence Scott and finished by Kathleen Sasileo in April of 2008.
- Date
- 2020
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
- Sponsor
- The finding aid was converted into EAD with funding support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Revision Statements
- 5 January 2024: Subjects and other notes added from ALICE MARC records and Mahn Center Microsoft Office finding aids by Ohio University Libraries Metadata Services Department Python scripts.
Repository Details
Part of the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections Repository