A Unique and Diverse Military History Selection Available in the Library The Library contains over 10,000 books on military history. These books include secondary works on various battles, campaigns and wars, as well as reference works, rare unit histories and military manuals. Primary sources include the bound battle records of the First Division in World War I and the 1st Infantry Division’s World War II battle records on microfilm. The Library also has a large selection of military history videos and a diverse section of military journals and history magazines. The Library’s books, magazines and videos are available for use in the Research Center’s Reading Room. The Library loans selected items only to other libraries through the Inter-Library Loan System. If you are not able to visit the Research Center’s Library, you can ask your local librarian to place a request with us for an inter-library loan. If the book is not rare or fragile, our institution will loan it to your local library. The Inter-Library Loan System enables the Library to have a nationwide impact through its loans to other libraries across the country. For more information about the Military Library, please contact: ...
Survival
In his letters, Max Ottenfeld kept his family informed about his health and wellbeing. Click below to explore how, as evidenced by Ottenfeld’s experiences, surviving the Great War was difficult as soldiers faced both injuries and illnesses. “I was gassed Oct. 9 but didn’t go to the hospital until the 12th. I expect to be out in a week or so because I didn’t get it bad. You can see that I am feeling pretty good by the way I write this letter. I am up and walking around and you ought to see me at “chow” time, I can’t get enough to eat…” Max Ottenfeld October 15, 1918 Letter 40 Although Max Ottenfeld’s letters have an upbeat tone, he spends a lot of time recuperating in the hospital. Soldiers encountered deadly chemical agents and high-powered weapons that drastically changed the nature of warfare. Additionally, the Spanish Flu epidemic (among other viral infections and diseases) was exacerbated by crowded troopships, camps, trenches, poor environmental conditions, and inadequate food and shelter. During and after the conflict, many American soldiers were also diagnosed with a condition called “Shell Shock”, understood by officials in the American Expeditionary Force to be a physical and psychological reaction to the stress of warfare. Though he recovered from the injuries he sustained during the war, the lasting effects of the war are shown through Ottenfeld’s various hospital stays in the U.S. Exploring survival through Max Ottenfelds’s experiences demonstrate how the war impacted public policies about soldiers and veterans as well as social attitudes and medical knowledge around illness and disabilities. Letters #5, December 21, 1917 #6, January 4, 1918 #8, January 12, 1918 #13, February 3, 1918 #18, April 4, 1918 #40, October 15, 1918 #60, January 12, 1919 #61, January 16, 1919 #62, January 21, 1919… ...
Research Services
Research Assistance provided to Patrons by the Colonel Robert R. McCormick Research Center The Research Center has a wide variety of individual patrons, ranging from the general public, students, veterans, the relatives of veterans, researchers, scholars and authors. Inquiries also come from various organizations such as the active duty 1st Infantry Division, veterans associations like the Society of the First Division, and media companies. The questions can span topics such as general military history, the history of the 1st Infantry Division and the life and times of Col. McCormick. Patrons can access the Research Center’s wealth of information by either visiting in person or contacting by email, phone or letter. The Reading Room is open to the public on Tuesdays through Fridays from March through December. In the Reading Room, patrons can have access to the materials from the Military Library, the Military Archives and the McCormick Archives. The Reading Room also contains a military reference book section, and the latest in history periodicals and military journals. Audio/visual facilities are also available for use. Regarding major research visits, it is recommended to call first and make an appointment. This will help the Research Services staff in preparing materials for the research visit. Patrons can also contact Research Services by phone, letter or email. Research services and photocopies are available for a nominal fee. For more information about Research Services, please contact: ...
How to Donate Items
How to Donate Items to the Colonel Robert R. McCormick Research Center The Col. McCormick Research Center has a wide and varied collection of library and archival materials on military history which is available for study. The Research Center is continuously searching for more items to tell the story of the 1st Infantry Division and the life and times of Col. McCormick. If you are looking for an institution to receive your letters, photos, books or papers about your service with the 1st Infantry Division, please consider the Colonel Robert R. McCormick Research Center. The Research Center Director would be glad to provide you with information on how to donate items. If your materials are outside the scope of our mission, we will gladly refer you to more appropriate museums and research centers. For more information on donating items to the Research Center, please contact: ...
Researchers
Researchers Help to Turning Discovery into an Experience In First Division Museum's research center, we have resources for authors, scholars, teachers and students to take advantage of every day. Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge on the Big Red One, researching a specific topic, or piecing together the experience of a soldier, we're here to help. From oral histories to archives, you'll find a wealth of information readily available for your convenience. Robert R. McCormick Biography Digital Archives Military Library Military Archives Research Services Oral Histories How to Donate Items ...