John D. Winner Papers and Photographs
1943-2007
WVM Mss 1222
0.8 linear ft. (2 archives boxes and 3 oversized folders) of papers, 0.9 linear ft. (2 archives boxes and 1 flat box) of photographs.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
(Map)
Papers and photographs pertaining to John D. Winner, a Madison, Wisconsin resident who served with the 3rd Infantry Regiment during World War II, and also served in the Wisconsin National Guard and saw active duty with the 32nd Division in 1961. After graduating college, Winner enlisted in the Army and attended the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Winner served in Germany during and after World War II as an organizer of prisoner of war camps at Dietershiem, Darmstadt, and Kornwestheim. He was awarded the Bronze Star for successfully supplying provisions to German prisoners and was also stationed with the occupation force stationed in Berlin. After the war, Winner served with the Wisconsin National Guard until his retirement as a lieutenant colonel in 1962. His papers consist of service records, military papers, correspondence, newspaper articles, certificates, and drawings pertaining to his service with the regular army and the reserves. The letters, written by Winner to his family, describe his basic training, completion of officer school, celebration of the end of the war in Europe and the Pacific, duties performed with the occupation force, and descriptions of European cities. While in basic training, Winner describes some of his training and his concern about being sent overseas into combat. He also mentions his dislike of drill sergeants and Southern weather and culture. The letters from Europe include descriptions of Winner's supply duties, leisure activities, travel through various cities, and his enjoyment of the spoils of war. Some of the letters also discuss his views on the peace process, with one elaborating how the United States should deal with Soviet Russia (July 4, 1945). Winner also shows concern for the welfare of his mother and sister after his father died in 1945. He asks about his mother's financial situation and instructs her how to invest his own money to help pay for his sister's college education. The military papers elaborate on Winner being awarded the Bronze Star and document Winner's investigation of a jeep accident that occurred after the war. There is also an interesting certificate for completion of the gas obstacle course that includes cartoon soldiers comically completing the tasks involved in the course. Particularly interesting, is the series of drawings that were done by a Hungarian officer serving on Winner's staff at the Dietershiem prisoner of war camp. The artworks are mainly caricatures and portraits of Winner, showing him sitting in a jeep, riding a motorcycle, smoking cigars, and posing in uniform. Also included is a drawing of a stereotypical German soldier in a prison camp and two showing Hitler; one with him hanging onto a rocket and the other of him hanging onto a sign for Berlin as American tanks enter the city. The papers pertaining to his service with the National Guard include certificates, identification cards, and service records. Also included are materials pertaining to the 32nd Division's activation during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. Included are memos, articles, and a roster from 1961 of officers serving in the Division at the time of activation. Of particular interest are several songs pertaining to the Wisconsin National Guard, including one that protests activation. The photographs consist of a scrapbook compiled by Winner, along with several loose images pertaining to his service in Europe. Most of the images in the scrapbook are labeled, dated, and include a brief description. Included are images of the extensive damage to German cities, depictions of the prison camps where Winner was stationed, and tourist photographs taken while on leave. There are also images of Winner and other soldiers celebrating the end of the war, enjoying spoils, relaxing, and attending regimental football games. The scrapbook also includes additional drawings that were given to Winner depicting Hungarian and German prisoners, as well as programs for plays and football games. The loose images document Winner's assignment to Berlin and his return trip to the United States. The destruction and rebuilding of Berlin is well documented and include German citizens scrounging for food, as well as former Nazi women cleaning up rubble. The loose images also include additional photographs pertaining to subjects identified in the scrapbook, along with other labeled and unlabeled photographs of soldiers. There are also a few images from his service with the National Guard documenting presentations and inspections.
English
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