John A. and C. Grove McCown Papers
Scope and Contents
Includes three manuscripts written by Susan McCown about John and Conrad Grove McCown and their service in the 10th Mountain Division; correspondence from Bob Bates (American Alpine Club) to Andrew McCown (1946); Conrad's discharge papers (1944-1946); photographs of the McCown brothers and family; Ridgway Foust and Charles Webb biographical sketches by Susan McCown; newspaper clipping and photo of Charles Webb and photograph of Foust, John McCown and Norm Wight; William F. Whitehead obituary, portrait and copy of LIFE photograph of John A. McCown, Seneca Rock newspaper clippings. Additionally, John A. McCown's military papers concerning assault and rock climbing training: special orders, schedules, handbook and medical report for Camp Hale, Colo., Seneca Rocks assault climbing school (W. Va.), and the Arnold Valley (Va.) training area.
Dates
- 1938-2009
Creator
- McCown, John Andrew, 1918-1945 (Person)
- McCown, Conrad Grove, 1921-1974. (Person)
Language of Materials
Material is in English unless otherwise noted.
Conditions Governing Access
Contact Western History/Genealogy Dept., Denver Public Library, Denver, Colorado.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright is retained by the author of the items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Biographical / Historical
John Andrew McCown (1918-1945) was born on July 4 in Washington D.C. The eldest of four brothers, John grew up in Philadelphia. He attended Germantown Academy and William Penn Charter School. In 1940, he graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He also attended Law School at the University of Virginia. John McCown joined the 10th Mountain Division in 1942. He attended the Officers Training School, Fort Benning, Georgia and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and was later promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He served as an instructor at the Assault Mountain Climbing School, Elkins, West Virginia. John McCown played a key roll in preparing for the 86th Infantry Regiment’s assault on Riva Ridge and was killed in action during this important battle on February 20, 1945.
Conrad Grove McCown (1921-1974) was born April 19. He also grew up in Philadelphia, attended Germantown Academy, William Penn Charter School and the University of Virginia. C. Grove McCown compiled an impressive record as a champion slalom skier and mountain climber before joining the 10th Mountain Division in 1943. Later, he too attended the Officers Training School, Fort Benning, Georgia and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. While awaiting orders to rejoin the 10th, the war ended in Europe. Accordingly, he was sent to the Pacific where he participated in the occupation of the Philippines and in the post-war disarmament of Japan. He returned to the States to study law and became a lawyer in 1950. Subsequently, he was recalled to duty for the Korean War and discharged as a Captain in 1953.
Andrew R. McCown, Esq. was the father of 1st Lieutenant John A. McCown II, and 2nd Lieutenant C. Grove McCown. He was a prominent corporate lawyer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Extent
1 Boxes
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift; Susan McCown; 2007.
General
Catalog record based on preliminary inventory.
Varying Form of Title
McCown, John A. and C. Grove papers
Linking Entry Complexity Note
Forms part of: 10th Mountain Division Resource Center Collection.
General
Formerly cataloged under: C MSS -M1931
- Camp Hale (Colo.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Manuscripts for publication Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- McCown, Conrad Grove, 1921-1974 -- Arvchives.
- McCown, John Andrew, 1918-1945 -- Archives.
- Military records Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Ski troops. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 86th.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- John A. and C. Grove McCown Papers
- Author
- Keli Schmid
- Date
- November 13, 2020
- Description rules
- Anglo American Cataloguing Rules
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Denver Public Library, Western History and Genealogy Repository