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Eric E. Wikner Papers

 Collection
Identifier: TMD238

Scope and Contents

Collection contains color, b/w photos of the 87th Mountain Infantry, mountain and winter warfare training center; letter from Bob Dole.

Dates

  • 1941-1986

Creator

Language of Materials

Material is in English unless otherwise noted.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The imply Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Biographical / Historical

Eric E. Wikner was born on December 15, 1908 above the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland. He entered Military Service in 1931 and was commissioned in November 1935. He received his assignment with 77th Division in New York City in Colonel Teddy Roosevelt’s Battalion. He organized, equipped and trained the First Experimental Ski Patrol in December 1940. On activation of the First Battalion of the 87th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington, he was assigned as Supervisor of Ski Training, and he organized three winter instruction detachments for training in Mountain Operations. He served in the 44th Infantry Division Ski Patrol; Service Company of the 87th Infantry Regiment; Company E and Headquarters of the First Battalion of the 87th Infantry Regiment; Headquarters of the Third Battalion of the 86th Infantry Regiment; and Headquarters of the Third Battalion of the 85th Infantry Regiment. He was assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington; Camp Hale, Colorado; and Camp Swift, Texas; before being sent to Italy. While engaged in combat operations against German forces occupying Italy, he received the Bronze Star Medal for his actions at Mt. Belvedere on February 20, 1945. He received the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star for his actions at the Po River area on April 23, 1945. Wikner attained the rank of Major during his service with the 10th Mountain Division and he retired from the Military with a rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He passed away in 1987.

Extent

1 photo boxes

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift; Mrs. Eric E. Wikner; Unknown.

General

Catalog record based on preliminary inventory.

Linking Entry Complexity Note

Forms part of: 10th Mountain Division Resource Center Collection.

Title
Eric E. Wikner Papers
Author
Keli Schmid
Date
April 23, 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

Contact:
10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy
Denver CO 80204 United States