A War by Invention by Kevin Hampton

Commonly referred to at the time as the “War to End All Wars,” World War I was in fact not a “last” but a “first.” Innovations in technology, tactics, and equipment ushered in a new era of warfare that defined how wars were fought for the next one hundred years.

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The Life and Letters of World War I Aerial Observer Lt. Mortimer M. Lawrence – August 1917

Co. C. 41st Infantry, Fort Snelling, Minn., Aug. 2, 1917. Dear Folks:- Received your letters and yesterday afternoon received by parcel post a bundle of Saturday Evening Posts from April 7th to July 28th inclusive. They were all labeled B.K. Mills and had a Western Malleables tag so I judged

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The Life and Letters of World War I Aerial Observer Lt. Mortimer M. Lawrence – July 1917

July 3, 1917.   Dear Folks:- Well tomorrow is a holiday and I think we will all appreciate it.  Some of the men are going to march in the parade at Highland Park but I didn’t volunteer so I am not going. If this letter gets home before my laundry

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Above and Beyond the Call of Duty by Emily Irwin

On July 11, 1944, Gerald L. Endl made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to his country. “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty,” Endl was awarded the Medal of Honor, America’s highest military honor. Today, 70 years later, we recognize

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The La Crosse Light Guard Flag

When the Civil War began and President Lincoln called for volunteers in April 1861, Wisconsin’s volunteer militia companies answered the call. Among the first to offer their services to Wisconsin’s Governor Alexander Randall, the La Crosse Light Guard marched into Madison under a beautiful white silk flag made for them

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The Life and Letters of World War I Aerial Observer Lt. Mortimer M. Lawrence – June 1917

June 3rd [1917] Dear Folks:- Another week gone by. Soon it will be time to split up into the different branches and have to work harder than ever. Before I forget it, I want to broach a subject which may make you very angry, and if it does let me

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The Life and Letters of World War I Aerial Observer Lt. Mortimer M. Lawrence – May 1917

May 15, 1917 Dear Folks- Reached here this A.M. and went right to work. We are almost settled now, in the new barracks. Please send me some Bath Towels and some face towels – old ones preferably and when you send my laundry – don’t send any pajamas. Address me-

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A Shared Experience

Written By: Andrea Hoffman, Collections Manager While there are numerous reasons Wisconsin residents have joined the military over the last 150 years—each generation met with unique historical events and changing social expectations—serving one’s country has also been a shared experience within families. Whether a parent and child, siblings, or spouses,

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A Fateful Day

By Andrea Hoffman, Collections Manager The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is rich with stories of World War II veterans who eagerly and patriotically answered the call to service following the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Fewer are the accounts of Wisconsin service members who had already enlisted prior to

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Remembering Pearl Harbor The Story of Herbert “Herb” Buehl

By Jenna Madsen, Wisconsin Veterans Museum Assistant Curator Herbert “Herb” Buehl from Monroe, Wisconsin was in the Navy aboard the USS Arizona when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Herb served as an electrician in power distribution on the Arizona. His post was at the bottom of the center of the ship

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