Large Lot of WWII Memorabilia
This Lot consists of some personal effects of James W. Dutcher, 12/25/1924 - 10/17/2012. The following is from Jim’s obituary. “Jim was raised in the Milford NY and lived most of his life there. He graduated from Milford Central School in 1942 … Upon graduation, Jim moved to Troy and worked at the Watervliet Arsenal. He joined the U.S. Army in 1943 and while in service, took an engineering course at St. Bonaventure University. A year later he became part of the 104th Infantry Division, trained in Colorado and was sent overseas with the 104th Timberwolf Division. Jim earned his combat infantry badge in Europe and saw service in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany. He received his honorable discharge in December 1945.”
I knew Jim personally and I am a friend of the family. I am selling these effects on behalf of the family.
Lot Includes;
Original hand written poem. “The Night Before Christmas” was written by John Djerf, “somewhere in Germany”. There are 16 soldiers mentioned in the poem. At least 2 of them, Mazurek and Massad where KIA in the attack on Raguhn, Germany in April of 1945. At least one, Kitchen, was wounded (accidently shot himself), in the attack. Most of these men appear in the photo mentioned below. The poem was most likely written in December of 1944. This is a one of kind very rare piece.
Original photo of H Company, 2nd Battalion, 414th infantry, 104th infantry division (Timberwolves). Photo is signed by the all members of H company with the exception of James Dutcher who owned the photo. It measures 24”x10”. It is rolled. Another rare item. I have a professionally scanned copy of this photo if wanted. There are some addresses written on the back. (see photo)
Other items - Patches (no glow) - 8th Armored division (4), Third Army - (1, Greenback), Specialized Training Program (2), US Army Port of Embarkment (2). Dutch deck of playing card, complete. circa 1940s. St. Bonaventure College post cards. St. Bonaventure College (Army Specialized Training) yearbook circa 1943. Garrison cap. Hickok Money Belt. 104th “Timberwolves” Infantry Division poster. 22”x23” dated 1945. (this is in rough shape). Military Missal (1942). Misc. Newspapers circa 1944-46. MP arm band (damaged). “Going Back to Civilian Life” Booklet (1945). Pamphlet from “The Monument of the Battle of Nations” in Germany. Army Songs Booklet. Camp Kilmer, New Brunswick NY, Memorandum for those returning from Overseas. US Army separation qualification record of James W. Dutcher. Creificate of Thanks from the White House - Truman. 5 letters of personal correspondence from James Dutcher, dated 1944 & 1945. 2 War Trophy certificates. Sunoco Lowell Thomas’ “War Map of the World”. Subscription coupons for German Newspaper 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941. Ration coupons. Camp Carson Colorado photo book, circa 1944. American Legion 50 Year Medallion (1919-1969). Vintage Hudson lighter. US Army Brass hat pin. 2 Military Ribbons. 3 Foreign coins, 1- Belgium (1941), 1 India 1945, 1 Silver USA Philippines - (1944).
New York Telephone “Telephone Men and Women in War” book 1947. (Jim worked for the Telephone company.) 2 Newsletters from “H Co., 2nd Bn., 414th Infantry 104th Infantry Division (from 1992). They contain some interesting history.
Print of photo (not original) of Jim with some of his fellows soldiers. This photo was taken somewhere in Germany.
Bottom row, Massad, Hagenaw, Dutcher, Miclalek.
Top row, Djerf, McCory, Allen, Oien, Somers, Hirt.
Misc. research documentation of the history of 104th division.