RS 13/16/1

Iowa State University
Department of Military Science

Subject Files, 1902-[ongoing]

Special Collections Department
 403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

  Descriptive summary

creator:

Iowa State University. Department of Military Science

title:

Subject Files

dates:

1902-[ongoing]

extent:

7.13 linear feet (13 boxes)

collection number:

RS 13/16/1

repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

  Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Iowa State University. Department of Military Science Subject Files, RS 13/16/1, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Historical note

The Department of Military Science and Tactics was established in 1870 as a result of the Provision in the Morrill Land Grant Act that military tactics be offered at land grant institutions.  All able bodied male students were expected to participate, although neither the Morrill Act or the Federal Government required compulsory training.  From 1878-97, female students received military training on a volunteer basis.  In 1916, Congress passed the National Defense Act, which provided for the establishment of the Army Reserve Officer's Training Corps (R.O.T.C.).  An Iowa State R.O.T.C. unit was formed in 1919, and training took place through the Military Science Department.  To house the new program, the armory was built in 1921; destroyed by fire in 1922, and rebuilt in 1923.  All early records of military training were lost in the fire.  During World War II, the R.O.T.C. program was temporarily halted (1943-46), as most male students were enlisting in the regular army.  The school year 1946-67 saw the formation of a Navy R.O.T.C. unit.  The Air Force R.O.T.C. unit was organized in 1949.  In 1950 Military Science, Naval Science, and Air Force Science combined to form one department; but split into individual departments again in 1957.  By 1961 students on campuses across the nation, including Iowa State students, were protesting the mandatory military training requirement.  In 1962 the State Board of Regents declared R.O.T.C. an elective.

During World War I, Iowa State trained soldiers for the Military.  Military draftees were trained as auto mechanics, blacksmiths or machinists.  They were housed under the bleachers on State Field.  The instruction, mainly in practical assembly, repair, and operation processes; entirely separate from collegiate work, was under the direction of Professor W. H. Meeker of the Mechanical Engineering Department.  This detachment of trainees was known as the Student Army Training Corps (S.A.T.C.).  College students between the ages of 18 and 21 years were also able to volunteer for induction into active service.  These students combined collegiate campus and army camp, by participating in scholastic study and military drill.  The students received soldiers compensation, and the College was paid for their housing and subsistence.  A distinct separation of the collegiate and vocational sections was maintained in organization and instruction.  The collegiate companies were lodged in fraternity houses and state gym was utilized as a mess hall.  In October 1918 influenza broke out on campus.  There were 1250 cases at one time.  The wing of the college hospital, opened in April, was used exclusively for pneumonia cases.  State Gym, a church basement, and dwelling houses became improvised flu wards.  The campus was placed under strict quarantine, and passes were required for travel between the Fourth Ward and the downtown district.  All work was suspended for a week and the schedule was more or less broken the rest of the quarter by recurring outbreaks of the malady.  From October 8, 1918, to November 27, 1918, 51 deaths were reported in the corps; 25 in the collegiate section, and 26 in the mechanical detachment.  The training program ended on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918.  Veterans that were disabled as a result of their service in World War I were retrained by Iowa State from 1918 to 1928.  Iowa State Horticulture Professor, J. C. Cunningham, represented Agriculture on President Harding's Commission in the organization of the U. S. Veterans' Bureau, 1919-20.  He directed the work in Agriculture for disabled ex-servicemen at Iowa State College from 1919-1928. 

World War II brought both military and civilian students to Iowa State for training.  The Navy personnel were trained as Electricians, Cooks and Bakers , Diesel Mechanics, and Amphibious Firemen.  The Navy education programs were conducted from June 1, 1942 to December 2, 1944.  It total 13,206 men were trained for the Navy.  The Army personnel were enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP).  The ASTP was divided into four different curriculums:  Basic Phase Curriculum B-1 (Engineering), Basic Phase ASTRP (Reserve) Curriculum B-1 (Engineering), First Year Advanced ROTC Curriculum (Basic or Advanced Engineering), and Advanced Phase Curriculum in Veterinary Medicine.  The ASTP program was very rigorous with all work done at a college level.  The Basic Phase ASTRP (Reserve) Curriculum B-1 personnel were civilians under the age of 18 years and were not able to enlist due to age restrictions.  All others in the ASTP program were enlisted Army personnel.  The ASTP program was conducted from September 13, 1943 to May 1, 1944.  The Advanced Phase Curriculum in Veterinary Medicine cadets were enlisted Army personnel and assigned to the ASTP curriculum for pursuing a regular college curriculum in Veterinary Medicine.  Upon completion they would be commissioned officers in the U. S. Army Veterinary Corps.  This curriculum was terminated at Army request on August 26, 1944.  Iowa State trained 1117 cadets in the four curriculums. 

The Curtiss-Wright Corporation contracted with Iowa State to conduct a program to train civilian women assistants for their engineering departments.  The Curtiss-Wright Engineering Cadettes were trained in drafting, stress analysis, materials lab, aerodynamics, and production liaison.  The cadettes were not engineers, but were given adequate training so that they could assist engineers with their jobs.  The company hoped their engineers would be able to accomplish more in less time with the assistance of trained helpers.  The courses began on February 15, 1943 with 100 cadettes enrolled.  When the course was completed 90 women out of the original 100 graduated, with 84 of the graduates being employed at the Curtiss-Wright Corporation Plant in St. Louis. 

 

Collection description

The Military Science Subject File Collection documents the Military Science program, R.O.T.C. programs, and campus activities during World War I and World War II. The collection is divided into the following series: General Subject File, World War I, World War I Veterans Rehabilitation Program, World War II - Armed Forces, World War II - Marines, World War II - Navy, World War II - Camp Dodge, World War II - Civilian, World War II - Committees/Councils, and World War II - Publications.
 

 

Box/File                                                                                                          Date

 

General Subject File

1/1       Annual Inspection                                                                                          1908-10, 15

1/2       Award Certificate                                                                                          1973

1/3       Cadet Guide                                                                                                  1970

1/4       The Changing Role of ROTC at Iowa State University                             1969

1/5       Clothing Record and Receipts                                                                    1947, 67, 70

1/6       Compulsory Military Training                                                                       1930, 38

1/7       Correspondence and Departmental Memoranda                                     1904-66

1/7.1   Correspondence concerning the effect of college athletics upon

the bodies of ROTC candidates                                                     1908

1/8       Criteria for Selection of Faculty in Officer Education                                1970

1/9       Gatling Gun                                                                                                    1961-62

1/10    "A Brief History of Military Instruction in the Iowa State College of

Agriculture and Mechanic Arts"                                                       1921

1/11    History of Military Studies 1870-1970 at Iowa State University               1970

1/12    Iowa National Guard Bond                                                                           n.d.

1/13    Military Drill                                                                                                    1902-17

1/14    The Modernized Officers Education Program                                           1970

1/15    Report of the Officer Education Committee                                               1971

1/16    ROTC Program Information for Faculty and Advisors                              1976

1/17    United States Army Field Band                                                                   n.d.

1.1/1   "A Century of Military Training at Iowa State University"                          1972

 

World War I

2/1       Ambulance Company biographies A-M                                                     1917-70

2/2       Ambulance Company biographies M-Z                                                     1917-70

2/3       Ambulance Company photos, letters, clippings                                        1917, 67-69

2/4       Brochures, pamphlets, publications, official passes                                 n.d., 1917-19

23-23, 56

2/5       Correspondence:  Soldiers to Ward Jones, Alumni Association            n.d., 1917-19

2/6       Correspondence:  Soldiers to Maria Roberts, Math Department           n.d., 1917-19

2/7       Correspondence:  Soldiers to various Iowa State people                       n.d., 1918-19

80

2/8       Correspondence RE:  Christmas packages sent from Ames                 1917-18

2/9       Died in Service Lists                                                                                    n.d., 1919

2/10    Draft Rolls - Local                                                                                         June 1917

2/11    Faculty - Military Resources                                                                         1917

2/12    Library Memorial Collection - Correspondence to Faculty                       ca. 1919

2/13    Library Memorial Collection - Correspondence w/Fraternities                1919

2.1/1   Hospital Records for Motor Corps and S.A.T.C.                                       1918-21

3/1       Library Memorial Collection - Correspondence w/ISU Departments      1919

3/2       Library Memorial Collection - Correspondence w/other schools            1919

3/3       Library Memorial Collection - Correspondence w/parents of those

who died in service                                                                           1918-19

3/4       Library Memorial Collection - Correspondence RE:  Souvenirs             1919-20

3/5       Library - "What the Library did to Help Win the War"                                ca. 1919

3/5.1   Military Circus                                                                                                1922-38

3/6       National Research Council - Botany, Professor Pammel                        1917-18, 20

3/7       News Clippings                                                                                             1915-17

3/8       News Clippings                                                                                             1918

3/9       News Clippings                                                                                             1919

3/10    Postcards                                                                                                      n.d., 1917-19

3/11    Service Rolls                                                                                                 1918

3/12    Souvenirs, Mementos                                                                                   n.d., 1917-18

4/1       Student Army Training Corps - Memoranda, Circulars,                           n.d., 1916-18

Administrative Correspondence                                                    

4/2       Student Army Training Corps - Memoranda, Circulars,                           1918-20, 40

Administrative Correspondence                                                    

4/3       War Records                                                                                                 1917-19

4/4       War Service Library Fund                                                                            n.d., 1917

4/5       Camp Dodge - article in the Iowan                                                             1987

4/6       "Iowa State's Involvement in World War I" - student paper for

History 495; Mary Lang, author                                                       1987

4.1/1   War Training at I.S.C. – Exemption of Students and Staff                       1918-1919

                        from the Draft - Correspondence

4.1/2   War Training at I.S.C. – Officers’ Training Camp - Correspondence     1917-1918

4.1/3   War Training at I.S.C. – R.O.T.C.- Correspondence                                1918-1919

4.1/4   War Training at I.S.C. – Student Army Training Corps -                           1918

                        Correspondence

4.1/5   War Training at I.S.C. – Vocational Education of Army Men –                1918

                        Correspondence

4.1/6   War Training at I.S.C. – War Training Work - Correspondence              1918

5/1       World War I Newspapers - The Camp Dodger                                         1919

5/2       World War I Newspapers - The Flash                                                         1919

5/3       World War I Newspapers - Stars and Stripes                                           1919

 

Box 5.1 Oversize Box:  World War I

Ink Drawing of World War I Soldier Wounded in Combat by

R. E. Smith for verse by F. M. Reck                                                n.d.

Photographs (World War I)                                                                          1917-18

Iowa National Guard Certificate for A. W. Fleming                                   10-29-1894

 

Box 5.2 Oversize Box:  World War I Veterans Rehabilitation Program

This program was administered by J. C. Cunningham (9/16/53).  This material was separated from his files and placed here on June 18, 1997.

5.2/1   Correspondence                                                                                           1922-28

5.2/2   Group Examinations                                                                                     ca. 1918-28

5.2/3   Group Examinations                                                                                     ca. 1918-28

5.2/4   Group Examinations                                                                                     ca. 1918-28

5.2/5   "National Conference on Rehabilitation and Its Problems                       Dec. 1921

5.2/6   Cunningham, J. C., "Can Anyone Be A Farmer?",

The American Legion Monthly, V.3, No.2, pp.38-40,64-66.         Aug. 1927

5.2/7   Photographs                                                                                                  ca. 1918-28

5.2/8   Graphs and Photographs relating to the work of the U. S. Veterans

Bureau                                                                                                ca. 1918-28

 

World War II - Armed Forces

6/1       Personnel - Engineering Procurement Program                                       1942-43

6/2       Personnel - Enlistment Procedures                                                            n.d., 1942

6/3       Personnel - Files                                                                                           1943,46

6/4       Personnel - Iowa State College Students in the Armed Forces              1942

6/5       Personnel - Letters from Servicemen                                                         1941-45

6/6       Reserve Corps - Enlisted                                                                             1942-43

6/7       Selective Service Systems - Occupational Bulletins                                1942-43

6/8       Veterans - ISC Educational Opportunities for Veterans                           1944

6/9       Army-Navy Production Award for Excellence                                            1945

6/10    Army Specialized Training Program                                                          1942-43

6/11    Army Specialized Training Program                                                          1944

6/12a  Military Leave Lists

 

World War II - Marines

6/12    Marine Corps                                                                                                1943

 

World War II - Navy

6/13    Bureau of Naval Personnel                                                                          n.d., 1942-44

6/14    Office of Naval Officer Procurement                                                           n.d., 1943

6/15    Navy Training School                                                                                    n.d., 1942-45

6/16    Navy Training School -ISC Information Services News Releases          n.d.,1942-43

6/17    Navy Training School - Correspondence (Dean of Engineering)            1942-45

6/18    Navy Training School - Correspondence (Business)                                1943-44

6/19    Navy Training School - Correspondence (General)                                  n.d., 1943

6/20    Navy Training School - Correspondence (Military)                                   n.d., 1942-43

6/21    Navy Training School - Electrical                                                                1942-44

6/22    Navy Training School - Electrical and Diesel                                             1942-44 

7/1       Navy Training School - V-12 Program                                                        n.d., 1942-45

7/2       Navy Training School - The Waves                                                             1942, 44

7/3       Navy Training School - Personnel (A - K)                                                   1942-44

7/4       Navy Training School - Personnel (L - Z)                                                    1942-44

 

World War II - Camp Dodge

7/5       Camp Dodge Annex                                                                                     1946

 

World War II - Civilian

7/6       Civil Aeronautics Administration                                                                 1942-43

7/7       Civilian Pilot Training Program - Advisory Council                                   1940-42

7/8       Civilian Pilot Training Program - Army-Navy Training Courses               n.d., 1940

7/9       Civilian Pilot Training Program - Correspondence                                   1940-41

7/10    Civilian Pilot Training Program - ISC Information Services News

Releases                                                                                            1942

7/11    Civilian Pilot Training Program - Personnel & Student Roster                n.d., 1940-42

7/12    Curtiss-Wright Engineering Cadet Program                                             1943

7/13    Curtiss-Wright Engineering Cadet Program - Course B-4                      1941-43

7/14    Curtiss Wright Engineering Cadets Training Program                             1945

8/1       Home Economics in World War II                                                               n.d., 1942-46

8/2       Home Economics in World War II - Alumnae Service Record

Cards                                                                                                 1943

8/3       Iowa State College Faculty Contributions                                                  n.d., 1941-44

8/4       National Defense Training - Reference Material                                       n.d.

8/5       Newspaper Clippings - Bibliography of Articles                                       1941-46

 

World War II - Committees/Councils

8/6       American Council on Education                                                                  1942

8/7       ISC Councils on Defense and War                                                             n.d., 1942-44

8/7.1   ISC Student War Council Minutes                                                               1942-45

8/8       ISC Student War Council - News Clippings                                               1942-45

8/9       Joint Army-Navy-Marine Corp - Coast Guard Procurement

Committee                                                                                         n.d., 1942

8/10    Meteorological Committee                                                                          n.d., 1943

8/10.1 National Youth Administration Regional College Student

Work Council                                                                                     1939-42

8/11    Naval Aviation Cadet Selection Board                                                       n.d., 1942

 

World War II - Publications

8/12    Iowa State College and World War II                                                          1987

8/13    Listing of Publications relating to ISC's part in World War II                    1941-45

8/14    World War II Booklets -ISC                                                                          1942

8/15    World War II Booklets - Alumni                                                                    1945

8/16    World War II Booklets - Military Propaganda                                             n.d., 1945

8/17    From, "Wings of Gold"  by Richard Kell                                                    n.d.

8/18    "Iowa State University Alumni Remembering D-Day, 1944"                  1994

 

 

Comments: tzanish@iastate.edu
Iowa State University Library, Ames, IA 50011
URL: http://www.lib.iastate.edu/arch/rgrp/13-16-1.html
Revised: 11 July 2008.