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David Grier collection

1 box (0.5 linear feet)

(1918, 1996)

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 1998.144
Creator(s) Grier, David
Acquisition

This collection was donated by David Grier.
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding aid written by Simone Myree, 2005.
Related Materials

29th Infantry Newsletter Collection (1993 – 2020)

29th Infantry Division Association Newsletter Collection (1993 – 2020)

29th Infantry Division Association Newsletter Collection (1993 – 2020)
Separated Materials

Artifacts have been housed separately in object storage. 
Abstract

This collection contains objects, print and books dedicated to those who served in World War I and World War II. The first part of the collection is a history of the 29th Division. The 29th Division was comprised of National Guard units from Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania who served in World War I. The roster accompanying the collection is for Company I of Salisbury, MD and dates to October 8, 1918. David Grier’s father was a 2nd Lt in Company I. The uniforms and objects in this collection belonged to Alice Nelson Mitchell. Mitchell was a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corp during World War II. David Grier is the son-in-law of Alice Nelson Mitchell. The top hat in this collection was sent by Captain Lee Donald Smith to Bette Grier Graham during World War II. The names on the hat reflect the many places visited by Captain Smith.

Biographical History

“Alice Nelson was a school nurse in northwestern Pennsylvania when the war begun. In the small town where she lived she also worked in a small hospital, and they began organizing the doctors and nurse into units of six and calling them up for the Navy.  She was rejected by the Navy…She enlisted in the Army on March 1, 1943. After basic training in Louisiana and Arizona on February 26, 1944 she was assigned to the 32nd Evacuation Hospital and sent overseas top Belfast, Northern Ireland.

After a couple of months in Ireland they went to Wales and then to the coast of England. On July 12, 1944 her medical unit was sent to Normandy being the second unit of nurses to land on Omaha Beach…. They set up the first Allied hospital in France at St. Mere Eglise.  While this was not the front lines, they were still visited nightly by the German planes flying over – “Bedcheck Charlie” the nicknamed him. 

Later Nelson was just behind the front lines at the Battle of the Bulge and later still on the Austrian border at Salzburg.  She was in the European theatre for three years and was awarded four Battle Stars… She resigned her commission on February 16, 1945.  One of her best friends in the Army was a nurse from Nanticoke, Catherine Rencher, and when she came to visit her, she just happened to meet Walter Mitchell of Salisbury.  It wasn’t too long before she became Mrs. Walter Mitchell.”

- taken from We Live Among Heroes by Sylvia Bradley

Scope and Content Note

Series I. Spanish American War and World War I, 1918 - 1921

Series II. World War II, 1944, 1996

Arrangement Statement See Nabb Center Staff

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • World War, 1914-1918
    • World War, 1939-1945
    • Spanish-American War, 1898
    • Military History

Inventory List

The inventory list for this item is hidden due to its length. Click the button below to view it.

Series I. Spanish American War and World War I

1 | 1      29th Division Company I Roster                                                                                           1918

1 |         History of the 29th Division: Blue and Gray 1917 – 1919                                                        1921

1 | 2      2 photos of Company I                                                                                              1909, 1919

Series II. World War II

1 | 2      Official Road Map for Allied Forces Europe: Germany and Central Europe                               nd

1 | 2      Article about Lee Donald Smith

Artifacts

2 | na       {1998.144.022}   Top hat                                                                                                      nd

3 | na       {1998.144.001}   Cape with red lining, navy, heavy wool (1)                                             c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.002}   Cape with cap, navy, heavy wool, (1)                                                    c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.003}   Dress uniform, olive, heavy wool (skirt, jacket & cap) (1)                       c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.004}   Dress jacket with Lieutenant insignia & cap, olive (1)                             c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.005}   Kerchiefs, olive (2)                                                                               c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.006}   Fatigue jacket, green (1)                                                                       c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.007}   Shirts, brownish green, wool (2)                                                            c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.008}   Shirts, tan, cotton (2)                                                                           c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.009}   Scarf, brown, wool                                                                              c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.010}   Pants with ribbing at the ankles, brownish green, wool (1)                      c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.011}   Pants with spat straps, olive green (1)                                                  c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.012}   Pants (work), green (1)                                                                         c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.013}   Caps, green (3)                                                                                    c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.014}   Duffle bag (1)                                                                                      c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.015}   Nurse's Uniform with 1st Lieutenant bars (1)                                          c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.016}   Lighters - GI Zippo and Ronson (2)                                                       c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.017}   Uniform spats (1 pair)                                                                          c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.018}   Uniform neckties (3)                                                                             c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.019}   Uniform string ties (9)                                                                          c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.020}   Uniform booties (2)                                                                              c. 1944

3 | na       {1998.144.021}   Uniform stockings (4)                                                                          c. 1944

Attachments

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