Unknown Soldier, US Army 5th Infantry Division WWI Diary

Unknown Soldier, US Army 5th Infantry Division WWI Diary

Soldiers' War Diaries

A compact diary belonging to a soldier serving in the 5th Infantry Division of the U.S. army at the Western Front during WWI. The diary is roughly 4" x 2" and is bound in worn leather carrying the stamp of "The House of Crane" cigars. In addition to space for writing, the pocket diary includes maps of the U.S., a 1910 census, a calendar, space for identification information (left blank), and some U.S. laws, among other things. Initially meant for use in 1915, the soldier repurposed the diary to document his experiences in France and, later on, Luxembourg, between September 27, 1918 and December 15, 1918. Included in his writing is a recollection of the soldier's experience being shelled, air raided, and his actions on Armistice Day (see photos). Additional documentation records soldier's enlistment on January 23 as well as other bulleted events leading up to the keeping of the diary.

Unknown Soldier

McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tulsa. 2933 E. 6th St. Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-3123

University of Tulsa

Charles Apfelbaum Rare Manuscripts and Archives

1918

Small leatherbound journal, roughly 2" x 4". Roughly cut, lined and dated pages

English

2009-031

United States of America