Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Robert L. Wiley Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1914-1918
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 32nd Military Police Company
- Location of Service: France; Germany
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/1962
At his father's memorial service in 1961, Robert Wiley, Jr. was handed a large envelope containing letters his father wrote between the summer of 1917 and February 1919, covering 20 of the 24 months Wiley Sr. served during World War I. After a 1995 visit to Europe, Wiley Jr. reconstructed his father's experiences, drawing on his own readings of history and illustrating the memoir with then-and-now photographs of war sites. Wiley Sr. left the University of Wisconsin in his freshman year and obtained an officer's commission. He served in several capacities, including running a supply outfit and as commanding officer of a military police company. Though not on the front lines, he wrote eloquently about many scenes of devastation in letters to his mother, brother, and Gertrude, his sweetheart.
More Resources
About this Item
Title
- Robert L. Wiley Collection
Names
- Wiley, Robert L.
Home State
- Minnesota
Headings
- - Wiley, Robert L.
- - World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Form
- Printed matter
Extent
- 1 item
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1914-1918
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 32nd Military Police Company
- Location of Service: France; Germany
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Dates of Service: 1917-1919
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Manuscript: Printed matter [1 item] -- (collected 1999)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/1962
Cite as
- Robert L. Wiley Collection (AFC/2001/001/1962), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image