World War, 1939-1945
United States--History, Military
Michigan--History, Military
United States. Army. Signal Photo Company, 166th
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th
Soldiers
Military life
Photographs
Captain Emil J. Schmidt, of the 39th Signal Company, coordinating an arms inpsection for the 26th Infantry Division at US base, 1944.
Ochs, James W.
United States. Army
James W. Ochs WWII collection, RHC-55
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
In Copyright
Soldiers, including Brigadier General Harlan Nelson Hartness
Soldiers, including Brigadier General Harlan Nelson Hartness, at US base, 1944.
Inspection of soldiers of the 26th Infantry Division at US base, 1944.
Soldiers in the 26th Division 39th Signal company peeling potatoes at US base, 1944.
Soliders with Assistant Commanding General Harlan Nelson Hartness
Soliders of the 26th Infantry Division with Assistant Commanding General Harlan Nelson Hartness (center) at US base, 1944.
Soldiers communicating in a message center in Europe
Soldiers of the 26th Infantry Division communicating in a message center of the 39th Signal Company somewhere in Europe, 1944.
Women dancing for soldiers at non-commsioned officers club
Women dancing for soldiers of the 26th Infantry Division at non-commsioned officers club, 1944.
Soldiers participating in field training
Soldiers of 26th Infantry Division participating in field training at US base, 1944.
Three soldiers outside a message center at a US base, 1944.
Commando Kelly introducing Ernest Childers
Charles E. "Commando" Kelly of the 26th Infantry Division introducing the first American Indian Medal of Honor winner, Ernest L. Childers. Photo is signed and inscribed by Kelly, 1944.
Soldier enforcing the off limits to non-coms rule outside a PFC club
Soldier enforcing the off limits to non-coms rule outside a PFC club, 1944.
Soldiers leaving a non-commisioned officers club
Soldiers of the 26th Infantry Division leaving a non-commisioned officers club (NCO) on US base, 1944.
Soldiers reading headlines of allies invasion
Soldiers of the 26th Infantry Division crouched around an issue of the Columbia Record (South Carolina) with the headline "ALLIES OPEN INVASION, STRIKE ACROSS CHANNEL," 1944.
Military marching band passes the 104th Infantry headquarters sign
Military marchcing band of the 26th Infantry Division passes the 104th Infantry headquarters sign at a US base, 1944.
Signal Officer Clapper speaking to troops at US base
26th Infantry Division Signal Officer Clapper speaking to troops at US base, 1944.
Equipment inspection at the 26th Infantry Division on US base, 1944.
Rédange (France)
Correspondence
Letter from Mathilde to James W. Ochs, February 2, 1945. Letter reads: "Redange le 21.2.45. Dear Jim: Would you please let us know how do you do! If you have the occasion to pass in Redange we were happy if you come to our house: we shall be very glad to receive you. Suzanne will make frites and ice-cream for you. We think very often of the agreeable hours we spent in your company. We hope you and your friends in good health. Say our best wishes and greatings [sic] to Sergeant, the Roland and all your friends we know. Dont forget to send us the photos as soon as possible best thanks! There are american [sic] soldiers (red cross) by the fuge. They send my letter to you. We hope to see you the first time in our home. Best greatings [sic] from Suzanne, Marguerithe and my, Mathilde."
[Unknown], Mathilde
Letter from Mathilde to James W. Ochs, May 21, 1945. Letter reads: "Redange le 21. mai 1945. Dear Jim: I received a letter from Roland and I was very happy. Now the war is over and so I hope that you come to see us here in Redange. We have now good place in my house. We speak all lines from you, I hope that you are in a good health. Have you received my letter where I said you that I had received the pictures. Leave as soon as possible. Many greatings [sic] from Suzanne and Mathilde."
Letter from Mathilde to James W. Ochs, September 12, 1945. Letter reads: "Redange Septembre 12. 1945. Dear Jim: I was very glad: when I received your letter, my best thanks. On the same line I received the card from Paris and a letter from Skiss Silly and Trousse(?). So I see that you had been in Paris. I have the photos, they are all very beautiful, principal those from you and of ___. The days you had been here had go by too quick and I hope you come back at Redange before you departed to America, you are all lines wellcome. I send you the best greatings [sic] from Suzanne and me, Mathilde."
Letter from Mathilde to James W. Ochs, October 3, 1945. Letter reads: "Redange le 3. Octobre 1945. Dear Jim: I was very happy to get your lettre and to see that you was in Paris. It is to hoppe that you have this chance again. When you was Sunday to Paris you see Yvonne and the picture. We have I sennding her the pciture, and I have the negative of Paul. I will send you it. I am happy to heard that you family is by good health and your girl again. Suzanne and myself are by good health, hoping the same of you. Suzanne hunts is good now. We hope that you will see us before you go home to America. Now I get your other lettre what the picture from Roland Marguerite Suzanne and you and my. I thank you very very much for its. Marguerite have visite us one day. We have speaking very much of you. I am happ that you get my lettre. I wonder we that my lettre have so long if you get it. I have yours quick. If you write home say plise the very best wishes from Suzanne and my. I am moving(?) Wellbrück(?) but be evening I go home. I have hurt my foot. I send you the best greatings[sic] from Suzanne and my. Your sincerely, Mathilde."
Letter from Mathilde to James W. Ochs, October 9, 1945. Letter reads: "Redange le 9. 10. 45. Dear Jim: I had been very glad when I received your lettre with the pictures. I was for a few days in Stelbrück(?) and when I came back your parcel with the prelly lamp was arrived. I was very surprised, it is too kind of you, I say you my best thanks Jim. I take from you a good rescue ____[?] Last week I sent for you the fikles of the pictures I had your promised I hope you received these in a few days. I received the card Suzanne and me from Paris so I see that you had been in Paris. If possible you must come to Redange again. We are all times happy when you arrived. I hope that every thing is going well for you and I send you the best greatings [sic] from Suzanne and me. Mathilde."
Letter from Mathilde to James W. Ochs, November 3, 1945. Letter reads: "Redange le 3. 11. 1945. Dear Jim: Dat was surprise last night wen Mahell(?) arrived. I was so happy but very sorry dat you did not kame with her. But whe hopp dat you kame quiqly perhaps for Christmas. Mahell(?) bring us good news from you and whe are very glad for you. Thank you so much for the beautiful pictures whe where are quite hourly her where siling in the little room near your beard room it is quite warm where eating apples and pears and spiking from you. Mahell kan tell you de anders news. Many thanks for your letters from the ___? I am glad that you have received my letter with the pictures. I have received a letter from Roland and the picture from him also. He is now in Reius(?) and I hoppe that you see him perhaps. The very best of greatings from Suzanne and me. Love Mathilde."
WWII scrapbook compiled by James W. Ochs
Scrapbooks
Scrapbook of photos, brochures, documents, and memorabilia compiled by James W. Ochs of the 26th Infantry Division of the US Army documenting his WWII service.
Photograph album containing 524 black and white photographic prints (3"x4", 2"x"2", and 4"x4") documenting the European travels of James W. Ochs during and post- World War II. The album contains a portrait photo of Ochs, as well as images of French cities and countryside, buildings, street scenes, nature, soldiers, Ochs' friends and acquaintances, a parade and entertainment show, skiing in the Alps, planes and ships. Content Warning: Some photographs in this album depict mass burials, death, and human remains.
James W. Ochs WWII collection, RHC-54