Carl Birk Papers and Photographs
1948-2000
WVM Mss 1012
0.8 linear ft. (2 archives boxes) of papers, 1.0 linear ft. (3 archives boxes) of photographs, 7 videocassettes.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
(Map)
Papers and photographs of Carl Birk, a sergeant in Company C, 2nd Battle Group, 128th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Division during the Berlin Crisis. Papers consist largely of scrapbooks compiled by Birk following his service. These scrapbooks provide a good overview of the history of the Wisconsin National Guard in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin with a focus on the 1950s and 1960s generally and the years of the Berlin Crisis (1961-1962) in particular. The Berlin Crisis was a period of escalating tension between the Soviets and the Allies (United States, Great Britain, and France) during the Cold War that included the construction of the Berlin Wall. Roughly 150,000 U.S. National Guardsmen and Reservists were called into active duty to prepare for possible military action in Germany during this time. Other papers include materials from the Aggressor Maneuvers, a field exercise during the Berlin Crisis meant to prepare troops for guerilla-style warfare; scattered personal military records of Birk, including certificates for completing educational courses; and some papers regarding Birk's membership in three veterans organizations: Co. C, 128th Infantry, Old Timers, and the Red Arrow Club of Southern Wisconsin. An atomic bomb attack advice card reflects the fears that permeated America during the Cold War. The photographs focus on the role of Birk's unit and the 32nd Division during the Berlin Crisis, showing field training during Operation Mesa Drive, barracks, inspections, scenery, and “welcome back” billboards. There are also pictures of annual National Guard training at Camps McCoy and Ripley, a red arrow made out of raw hamburger, National Guard recruitment, softball and rifle range teams, and shots from reunions of Birk's veterans groups. Video includes footage of veterans' reunions in the late 1980s, early 1990s as well as documentaries about the 105th Cavalry in the years leading up to World War II and the 32nd Division in general.
English
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