John W. Cunninghan Papers

Collection

Identifier: TMD334

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection contains baptismal certificate (1921), clipping (1945). discharge papers (1945), CCC documents and photographs (1939-1941), photographs 1943-1945, certificate and Bronze Star citation (1942, 1945), postcards (1950) and campaign ribbons and 10th Mountain Division shoulder patch (ca.1945), postcards of Lanesboro, Minn. (ca.1950).

Dates

1921-1950

Creator

Cunningham, John W.(John William),1921-2011. (Person)
Brasuhn, Dellarae, (Person)

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

John William Cunningham was born December 27, 1921 at Faribault, Minnesota, the son of Imes and Florance Cunningham. He attended grammar school at Dundas, Minnesota and worked as a teamster driving four-horse teams on all types of farm machinery. He also served from 1939-1941 in the Civilian Conservation Corps with Company 706 in Minnesota. Cunningham entered military service July 27, 1942 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He received his basic training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. Initially assigned to Company B of the 126th Mountain Engineer Battalion, Cunningham transferred to the 229th Engineer Company in support of the 87th Infantry Regiment during the Kiska invasion and occupation in 1943. Returning to Camp Hale, Colorado, Cunningham transferred to Company L, 87th Infantry. During combat in Italy, Cunningham returned to the 126th Engineer Battalion, Company A. He received a Bronze Star Medal for his heroic actions at the Po River Crossing on April 23, 1945. Cunningham passed away June 1, 2011 at Plattsmouth, Nebraska and is buried at Grand Island.