This interview was conducted on October 30, 1990 and January 21, 1991 by David Overy. Joseph Plakut was born in Swan River Township, Minnesota, on March 17, 1921. He entered the Army in October 1942. Plakut was trained as an airplane mechanic and .50 caliber machine gunner on a bomber plane in England. On his first mission, his plane was shot down while trying to bomb a German plant at Bremen and he spent the remainder of the war in a German prison camp. During a camp evacuation march in 1945, Plakut and the rest of the surviving prisoners were liberated by the American 3rd Armored Division Plakut married his wife Anna Maciej on June 11, 1946 and they had four children: Richard, JoAnn, Kathleen, and David. Plakut concluded his oral history with a discussion about how his treatment as a prisoner and the treatment of prisoners in Iraq were very different experiences. Plakut passed away on June 24, 2005 at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud.
Neal Tholen was born in Little Falls, Minnesota, on March 20, 1919. He graduated from Little Falls High School in 1939 and was drafted into the U.S. Army in April, 1941. He trained for the infantry and, while stationed in Ireland in the early months of the war, transferred to a Military Police Platoon within the 85th Division. He served as an MP throughout the war in Ireland, Tunisia, and Italy before being discharged in 1945. He described the arrest procedures and his personal philosophy of what his role was for the soldiers. He also describes the organization of his particular MP platoon, the procedures for directing large convoys of traffic, policing soldiers on leave, and guard duty. Tholen shared stories about how locals in Tunisia and Italy interacted with the troops and various raids to local "cathouses" he participated in. Tholen also described the effect his service had on him after the war and his appreciation for the friendships he made there. He returned to Little Falls, married and raised seven children. Mr. Tholen worked at Camp Ripley as a member of the National Guard for 36 years before retiring. He died in Little Falls, Minnesota, at the age of 81 on July 12, 2000.
In an oral history conducted by David H. Overy on July 16, 1992, Paul V. Meyer discussed his experiences as National Guardsman during World War II. He was born on May 18, 1918 and raised in Mankato, Minnesota. In 1935, Meyer graduated from Mankato High School and enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard. He attended Mankato Business College and graduated from Mankato State College. Meyer married his first wife, Wilda Gifford, in 1940, they had four children. Meyer spent most World War II stationed in Kodiak, Alaska. In this interview, Meyer described his experiences in the Minnesota National Guard as an infantryman during World War II. He enlisted in 1935 and was inducted into the Army in June 1941. He discussed his unit's duties at Fort Greely in Alaska - to defend the most northern U.S. military base and to build infrastructure. In addition, he described the day to day life on the base, along with living conditions, road construction, hunting, and leisure activities, as well as the boredom. Meyer also discussed his interactions with civilians, natives, and regular army personnel, adding that each relationship was more different than the next. Meyer stressed that his experience in the National Guard was positive and his only regret was not staying in longer. He retired from the service in 1974 at the rank of major general and as Commander of the 47th Infantry Division, ending 39 years of service to his county. Outside of his military career, Meyer partnered into the family business, Meyer & Sons, an appliance business in Mankato, Minnesota. After Wilda's death in 1997, Meyer married his second wife, Doris Beyer, in 2000. Meyer died on January 10, 2016, at the age of 97.
Vernon A. Bigalke was born in Little Falls, Minnesota, on February 18, 1917. Before the war, he served in the Minnesota National Guard and then was drafted into the Army in 1941. For the first years of the war, Bigalke was part of an anti-aircraft artillery unit that guarded American shores. He was reassigned to the 259th Infantry in Mississippi and sent to Le Harve, France in December 1944 as part of the 65th Infantry Division. While at the Seigfried Line he was captured by the Germans in January 1945 and held as a prisoner until the end of the war. He described his treatment by the Germans, his survival mechanisms, and his experiences as a POW until liberation, which included a brief stop at Dachau concentration camp. After the war, Mr. Bigalke became a farmer and raised a family. He died in Little Falls, Minnesota, on November 22, 2007.
William Cheeseman was born in Little Falls, Minnesota, on April 22, 1918. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in 1938 and was called to active duty in 1941. Mr. Cheeseman was part of a transportation company that was attached to the 34th Infantry Division when it was deployed to Ireland for training. Sent to North Africa in 1943, he participated in the North African campaign including the retreat at Kasserine Pass. Cheeseman was given a field promotion and was the supply officer with the headquarters battalion when it moved to Italy in mid-1943. There he experienced frequent artillery bombardments and served on the court martial board. Cheeseman made several comments about the various nationalities he came into contact with including international allies, German and Italian opposition, and civilian population in Ireland, Italy, and Africa. He also made observations about the quality and efforts of the Nisei Regiment and the African American 92nd division. As a junior member of the court martial board, Mr. Cheeseman speculated about the motivations of the many offenders that were tried, the severity and effectiveness of their punishment, and shared some notable cases. He observed the action at Monte Cassino before being shipped home in 1944. He remained with the National Guard and eventually rose to the rank of general. Mr. Cheeseman married and raised a family in St. Paul before retiring to Little Falls. He died in Little Falls, Minnesota, on February 4, 2014.
Comstock, Solomon G., 1842-1933; Gish, J.W.; Raum, Green B; Wills, Walter H.
Date Created:
1890
Description:
Letters, a claimant form, and an information summary sheet about John Brown's request for assistance from U.S. Congressman Solomon G. Comstock in receiving his Civil War pension.
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1939-1944 (District 53); House 1947-1950 (District 53); House 1953-1954 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=12568
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1939-1944 (District 53); House 1947-1950 (District 53); House 1953-1954 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=12568
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1939-1944 (District 53); House 1947-1950 (District 53); House 1953-1954 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=12568
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1911-1914 (District 48); House 1915-1920 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=11325
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1911-1914 (District 48); House 1915-1920 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=11325
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1911-1914 (District 48); House 1915-1920 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=11325
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1911-1914 (District 48); House 1915-1920 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=11325
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1957-1960 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=12068
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1957-1958 (District 53); House 1961-1966 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=12984
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1957-1958 (District 53); House 1961-1966 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=12984
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1903-1908 (District 48). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=11326
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1945-1946 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=12103
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1909-1912 (District 48): House 1917-1918 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=11450
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1913-1914 (District 48); House 1915-1916 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=11058
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1913-1914 (District 48); House 1915-1916 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=11058
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1973-1974 (District 12A). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=10430
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1907-1908 (District 48). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=10910
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1923-1924 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=12292
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1973-1982 (District 12B); House 1983-1992 (District 13B); House 1993-2001 (District 12B). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=10706
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1973-1982 (District 12B); House 1983-1992 (District 13B); House 1993-2001 (District 12B). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=10706
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1973-1982 (District 12B); House 1983-1992 (District 13B); House 1993-2001 (District 12B). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=10706
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1925-1926 (District 53); House 1933-1938 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=15083
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1919-1922 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=14298
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1931-1938 (District 52). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=13674
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: House 1935-38 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=13167
This film depicts the transporting of troops by truck convoy to Camp Ripley and the review of the 59th Field Artillery, 151st Field Artillery, 125th Field Artillery, and 185th Field Artillery by Adjutant General E.A. Walsh and Major General George E. Leach.
This film depicts Minnesota Governor Floyd B. Olson and Adjutant General E.A. Walsh reviewing the 59th Field Artillery Brigade at Camp Ripley in 1934. Scenes include the 135th Infantry Regiment, 59th Field Artillery Brigade, and the 92nd Infantry Brigade marching past the officers as they are being reviewed. Also shown are some of the buildings and wildlife at Camp Ripley, a flyover by the 109th Observation Squadron, and a soldier chariot race with soldiers pulling the chariots.
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: Senate 1923-32 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=14581
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: Senate 1935-40 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=13979
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: Senate 1941-70 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=14582
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: Senate 1941-70 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=14582
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: Senate 1941-70 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=14582
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: Senate 1941-70 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=14582
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: Senate 1941-70 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=14582
Served in the Minnesota Legislature: Senate 1941-70 (District 53). For biographical information, see the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library database at: http://www.leg.mn/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=14582
