IRVING IKE MEREDITH, JR. PAPERS

Collection

Identifier: TMD11

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Irving Meredith's World War II letters to his parents make up the bulk of the collection, which spans 1942 to 1947. A scrapbook primarily containing newspaper clippings is also included. A limited number of unidentified black and white photographic images complete the collection.

SERIES 1 CORRESPONDENCE 1942-1945 BOX 1

The series contains World War II letters written by Meredith to his parents.

SERIES 2 MEMORABILIA 1942-1947 BOX 1

A scrapbook filled with newspaper clippings forms the bulk of the series. Most clippings remain pasted to scrapbook pages, however, many have become loose and have been placed in sleeves. A booklet dealing with infantry tactics and a post-war GI Bill form complete the series

SERIES 3 PHOTOGRAPHS CIRCA 1942-1943 BOX 1

The series contains a limited number of black and white photographic prints. Although these prints are unidentified, they depict military training activities which probably took place at Fort Lewis, Washington and Camp Hale, Colorado.

Dates

1942-1947

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Copyright

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 / Historical

Irving "Ike" Meredith was born May 5, 1921 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Irving and Lois (Woodley) Meredith. He graduated from Kimball Union Academy in Meridian, New Hampshire and later spent a year at Boston University before enlisting in the Army on May 17, 1942. When Meredith volunteered for service with the then newly organized "ski troops" who were training at Fort Lewis, Washington, he received an assignment to the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment. At various times during World War II, Meredith served with Companies E and A of the 87th as well as with the Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion.

In November 1942, Meredith participated in training maneuvers at the Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation near Jolon, California. During these exercises, two battalions of the 87th engaged in war games with elements of the Philippine Army in order to test tactics and equipment. Returning to Camp Hale, the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment concentrated on mountain and winter warfare training.

On June 13, 1943 the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment transferred to Fort Ord, California to train for the invasion of Kiska Island in the Aleutians. Japanese military forces had occupied Kiska Island during their Midway Campaign in June 1942. Following the invasion, Meredith remained on Kiska as part of an occupation force until the end of December 1943, when the 87th returned to the States to become part of the 10th Mountain Division. In June 1944, the Division moved to Camp Swift, Texas until ordered to deploy to Italy. The 87th Infantry Regiment arrived in Italy on January 13, 1945 and engaged in combat operations against the German Army until the surrender in Italy on May 2, 1945.

After completing his World War II service, Meredith attended Tufts University in Boston. Moving to Littleton, Massachusetts, Meredith became an insurance broker with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and later worked for the Fred C. Church Insurance Company, which was also located in Littleton. In retirement, Meredith moved to Sandwich, New Hampshire.

Meredith married Barbara Ann Puffer, who passed away December 7, 1992. The couple had three children and five grandchildren. He then married Nancy Lear, who passed away November 21, 1995.

Meredith was very active in the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division. He was also a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Among his other interests, Meredith was a member and past president of the Sandwich Historical Society, a member of the Sandwich Fair Committee, the St. Andrew’s Society of New Hampshire and a volunteer with the New Hampshire Marine Patrol. He also served as past master of the Pomona Grange of Massachusetts, and was a member of the Masonic Order in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Meredith passed away October 20, 2001 at Sandwich, New Hampshire. He is buried at the Milton Cemetery, Milton, Massachusetts.