JACK R. SMOLENSKE PAPERS
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
Jack Smolenske's World War II letters to his parents comprise the bulk of the collection. Also included are pocket diaries containing handwritten entries and a ten-page memoir of Smolenske's experiences during the 10th Mountain Division's Italian campaign. Limited photographic prints complete the collection.
The series primarily contains letters written by Jack Smolenske to his parents and other family members during World War II. Also included are handwritten pocket diaries, a brief memoir and a letter from fellow 10th Mountain Division veteran, Ross Wilson.
The series contains b/w photographic prints from a fishing trip taken while Smolenske trained at Camp Hale, Colorado.
Dates
- 1943-1989
Language of Materials
Materials are in English.
ACCESS:
The collection is open for research.
PUBLICATION RIGHTS:
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 imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The 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 NOTE
Jack R. Smolenske was born in Denver, Colorado August 4, 1924, the son of William C. Smolenske, a dentist and Martha J. Smolenske, a homemaker. He completed four years of high school prior to enlisting in the Army March 23, 1943 at Denver, Colorado. Smolenske joined the 10th Mountain Division while it was engaged in mountain and winter warfare training at Camp Hale, Colorado, where he was initially assigned to the 86th Infantry Regiment, Company D. Later, he served with Company I of the 86th and finally with the headquarters company, 3rd Battalion of the 85th Infantry Regiment. During World War II, Smolenske was also stationed at Camp Swift, Texas and participated in combat operations against the German Army in Italy.
After the war, Smolenske received a BA degree in advertising from the University of Denver. He worked as advertising manager for Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation from 1948 to 1963. Later, Smolenske founded National Services, Inc., and served as company president until the company was sold in 1980. Smolenske passed away May 7, 2003 at Roswell, New Mexico.
Extent
1 box
Other Finding Aids
PROVENANCE:
Gift, Jack R. Smolenske, 1987 and additional materials in 1996.
SIZE:
Number of Boxes: 1 (.5 linear feet)
LOCATION:
TMD70
PROCESSED BY:
Dennis Hagen
January 2014
PROJECT MANAGER:
Abby Hoverstock
- Camp Hale (Colo.) -- Archival resources. Subject Source: Lcnaf
- Military maneuvers -- Cold weather conditions. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Ski troops. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Soldiers -- United States -- Correspondence. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- SMOLENSKE, JACK R.
- Date
- January 2014
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Denver Public Library, Western History and Genealogy Repository
