This collection contains documents beginning with the American Revolution and continuing through the War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. There are account books, notes and written letters, vouchers, inspections of camps, receipts of payments, honorable discharge certificates, lists of absentees, envelopes used during the Civil War, and lists of unpaid fines during the service of the Pennsylvania Militia soldiers. There are also newsletters and articles relating to World Wars I and II and the Korean War for advertisement and description of items including the history of the Philadelphia Naval Base.
WW II Army Dress Shirt of Elmer Kenneth Rill (27 August 1919 - 19 October 2006); olive drab, long sleeve twill flannel of wool, size 42 1/2 - 33. Inside manufacturer's tag info includes: "June 1942". Plastic buttons; two breast pockets with flap.
At top of left sleeve is a round embroidered patch with red arrow & white stars on dark blue field (served in Western Pacific). A green triple chevron insignia (Sergeant) is on both upper sleeves.
Blue fabric tag stapled to back of shirt bottom, handwritten, "RILL / 39575 / x 22".
Provenance
Donor inherited from father, Elmer Rill, who, he states, never saw active combat; he was slated to be sent off to Japan, but the 2 bombs caused a quick end to war. His obituary states he "served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as a Rifleman."
WW II Army hat of Elmer Kenneth Rill (27 August 1919 - 19 October 2006). Called a garrison cap, it has rectangular shape of khaki wool twill and is trimmed with blue-green piping.
Provenance
Donor inherited from father, Elmer Rill, who, he states, never saw active combat; he was slated to be sent off to Japan, but the 2 bombs caused a quick end to war. His obituary states he "served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as a Rifleman."
WW II Army Hat of Elmer Kenneth Rill (27 August 1919 - 19 October 2006). Called a garrison cap, it has rectangular shape of khaki wool and is trimmed with blue piping. Reinforced with a 5/8" wide additional band of khaki wool along bottom edge of interior.
Provenance
Donor inherited from father, Elmer Rill, who, he states, never saw active combat; he was slated to be sent off to Japan, but the 2 bombs caused a quick end to war. His obituary states he "served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as a Rifleman."
Photo of Elmer Rill is in the Photograph Collection.
Identification tag for Robert C Myers, stamped with "Myers Robert C/ 33513055 T43 44 A." Small tag with three religious figures added to ball chain. Tag opens to signature of R. C. Myers. Obverse "I am a Catholic. Call a Priest." and religious imagery.
Cotton and linen flag. Red with smaller inset rectangle of white cotton with a blue cotton star in the middle. White mounting edge with metal grommets at top and bottom. World War II service flag for the signal corps aviation.
World War I Homecoming Medal for Returning Soldiers
Description
World War I Medal or award. Bronze stylized inner seal of Lancaster. Given to soldiers returning from WWI in 1919. (Safety pin sewn to ribbon on back.) See Journal article, vol. 97, #2.
WW II Army dress uniform jacket of Lancaster resident Elmer Kenneth Rill (27 August 1919 - 19 October 2006). Fitted, waist-length, olive-colored wool, with front flap breast pockets, buckles at sides of waist band with flap snap closure at front. Tag inside neck has size "38R".
At left breast are pinned medals. At top is a bar with raised rifle on blue field; below are 2 multicolored gros-grain ribbon bars. Pinned to left pocket flap is a metal badge w/ Maltese cross within a wreath with 2 hanging bars: "RIFLE" and "MACHINE GUN". The 2-ring bullseye on cross indicates "Expert" marksman. Upper left sleeve has round embroidered patch with red arrow and 2 cluster of stars on dark blue field (Western Pacific). A green triple chevron insignia (Sergeant) is on both upper sleeves and small service insignia on lower left sleeve is 2 gold bars on red field indicating service overseas. Rill served from 30 Nov 1944 to 12 April 1946.
Provenance
Donor inherited from father, Elmer Rill, who he states never saw active combat; he was slated to be sent off to Japan, but the 2 bombs caused a quick end to war. His obituary states he "served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as a Rifleman."
Studio tintype photo of Civil War soldier, full length, holding his rifle.
Sticker on back reads: "Zaloudek 10-28-72" (original date of donation). Handwriting on back in faint pencil is: "Benjamin McComsey 61 to 65."
Benjamin McComsey volunteered to serve in the Civil War. He was killed Nov. 7, 1862 in Berlin, MD. This item transferred to Objects collection from Archives. See Notes for typed biographical info.
This item transferred to Objects collection from Archives. Accompanying this tintype is a perforated paper bookmark with cross-stitched "A Present for Bennie." Typed biographical info is:
"This is the chief treasure of the McComsey family. Young son Benjamin volunteered to serve in the Civil War, and these letters (In Archives) tell the story of the remainder of his life.
Benjamin was the son of William McComsey, who was City Treasurer of Lanc. in the late 1880's. A descendant of Mathias McComsey, who was born in Manor Township in 1787. Benjamin's mother was Mary Dorwart, daughter of Henry, a tailor in Lancaster.
Benjamin died Nov. 7, 1862 in Berlin, Md. in the 18th year of his life. He is buried in the McComsey plot at Lancaster Cemetery."
Additional items given by this donor are 1972.026.1-.5. This includes a wedding hat, pair of lady's snow glasses and three shawls.
