Collections

This collection consists primarily of documents and photographs dating from A. Franklin Kibler's World War II service with the 12th Army Group, European Theater, including:

• Memoranda to and from Kibler and other senior officers (1943-1945)
• Headquarters, 12th Army Group Commanding General's briefings (1944-1945)
• Reports, including "Reports of the General Board, United States Forces, European Theater" (G-3 Section)
• Photographs
• Organizational charts

The Albert S. Britt, Jr. papers consist of papers dating from Britt's United States Army career (1930-1962), including:

• Correspondence
• Reports
• Notes and exercises from courses taken at the British Army Staff College, Camberley
• Speeches
• Articles
• Photographs
• One scrapbook from when Britt was a cadet at VMI

The collection (eight items) documents the World War I United States Army career of Alfred D. Barksdale (VMI Class of 1911). A member of Company L, First Virginia Infantry, National Guard, Barksdale was called to active duty during the World War I. From 1917 to 1919 he served in France with M Company, 116th Infantry, 29th Division. This collection includes a a letter (dated August 20, 1918) from Barksdale to his sister, written shortly after his arrival in France. He comments on the visit of General John J. Pershing to his regimental headquarters and other activities. Also included are three snapshots of Barksdale (circa 1918) and items relating to the award of the Croix de Guerre.

This collection (11 items) consists of the papers of Dr. Alfred P. Upshur (VMI Class of 1904) whose career included service in the Army Medical Corps. The collection includes commission documents, certificates, and two photographs.

This collection (13 oversized items) consists of certificates, diplomas, and other items relating the educational history of Allan T. Gwathmey, VMI Class of 1923. Gwathmey was an internationally known scientist that specialized in the field of single metal crystals. He taught chemistry at the University of Virginia from 1938 until his death in 1963. He was also the founder of the Virginia Institute for Scientific Research.

This collection consists of the certificate that awards the Purple Heart to Allen R. Potts, VMI Class of 1943. The citation is for wounds received in combat during World War II in Palau, Western Carolines, on October 4, 1944.

This collection consists of certificates, citations, commissions, and similar documentation associated with VMI alumni, faculty, staff, or VMI as a whole. The collection does not include VMI diplomas or literary society certificates, which are filed separately.

This collection consists of the papers (approximately 300 items) of Colonel Alvin F. Meyer, Jr., VMI, Class of 1941. Meyer was a civil engineer whose speciality was sanitary engineering. The bulk of this collection pertains to his career with the United States Air Force (1941-1969) and includes copies of published articles.

This collection (five items) consists of the papers of Charles E. Foster (1903-1938; VMI Class of 1925), including:

• Phi Lambda Epsilon and Phi Delta Theta fraternity certificates (1920-1921)
• One athletic award certificate from the Wentworth Military Academy (1921)
• One Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) advanced cavalry camp certificate from Fort Meade, Maryland (1924)
• Foster's name card dating from his VMI cadetship

This collection consists of a Civil War letter (dated March 17, 1865 March 17) from Confederate officer Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. Lightfoot to Colonel Benjamin S. Ewell, brother and staff officer to General Richard S. Ewell. Lightfoot asks for a clarification of command responsibility for Richmond's (Virginia) artillery defenses, stating that the present command situation places him in conflict with Lieutenant Colonel Carter M. Braxton. General Ewell's reply, via Colonel Ewell, is on the reverse.