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Eleanor and Elliott T. Gifford collection, 1938-1968, Date accessioned: 2020-02-24

 

Summary

Creator:
Gifford, Eleanor, 1914-
Gifford, Elliott T., 1913-1943
Extent:
.5 Linear Feet One half-box
1 folders
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], Eleanor and Elliot T. Gifford colection, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_20_0003

Background

Scope and content:

This collection relates to Eleanor Gifford who served in the special services and her brother Elliott T. Gifford who served as an Aerographer's Mate in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Elliott T. Gifford was killed in action on board the USAT Dorchester when it was sunk on February 3, 1943 by a German submarine. This collection contains documents, newspaper clippings, German event posters, radio transcripts, letters, and photographs predominately from Eleanor M. Gifford.

Biographical / historical:

Eleanor Gifford was born May 5, 1914 in Philadelphia, PA. She enlisted in the U.S. Women's Army Corps on April 17, 1943 in New York, NY. At the time she performed as a singer and actress in New York. From August to October 1945 Eleanor Gifford served as a first lieutenant WAC in Salzburg in the Special Services branch. From October 1945 to Febuary 1950 Eleanor Gifford was responsible for the organization of various activities of the Berchtesgaden Recreational Area as a WAC and civilian. She remained in Germany for the remainder of her life. Gifford married Günther Menzel on May 3, 1978 in Oberstdorf where she then also settled after retiring.

Custodial history:

Transferred from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to FSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives in July 2022.

Physical facet:
Oversize Folder
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open to all researchers. Restrictions apply to this collection. Glenn E. Ballew donated the collection. Ballew acquired the collection after the passing of friend and co-worker Clifford Brooks Shirley on October 11th, 1994. Ballew discovered these letters, photographs and newspaper clipping in Shirley's attic of his residence. Shirley has no known living relatives.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], Eleanor and Elliot T. Gifford colection, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_20_0003

Location of this collection:
116 Honors Way
Tallahassee
FL
32306-2047
USA