Title: Gordon M. Putnam papers, 1917-1919
ID: 1/7/MSS 216
Primary Creator: Putnam, Gordon M.
Extent: 7.0 Boxes
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically with undated correspondence separated.
Subjects: Putnam, Alice, Putnam, Gordon M, World War, 1914-1918
Forms of Material: Correspondence., Putnam, Alice - Correspondence, Putnam, Gordon M - Correspondence, Soldiers - United States - Correspondence, Soldiers - Washington (State) - Correspondence
Languages: English
Gordon Putnam selected a position with the Motor Transport Corps and was stationed in Tacoma, Washington during World War I. Putnam worked fairly regular hours, remained in Tacoma for the duration of World War I, and was able to visit home on a nearly monthly basis. While on duty, he moved freight, transported soldiers and their baggage, and stood guard.
His girlfriend, and then wife, Alice worked as an elementary school teacher in local districts. By October of 1918 they were expecting a child. The close of the war did not bring Putnam home as quickly as he and Alice would have liked. Many drivers from his company began hauling freight from greater distances to compensate for labor strikes in Washington and neighboring states. It is unclear when Putnam was released from service; in April 1919, he was still a member of the Motor Transport Corps.
Repository: Southern Illinois University Special Collections Research Center
Access Restrictions: Unrestricted access.
Use Restrictions: To quote in print, or otherwise reproduce in whole or in part in any publication, including on the World Wide Web, any material from this collection, the researcher must obtain permission from (1) the owner of the physical property and (2) the holder of the copyright. Persons wishing to quote from this collection should consult Special Collections Research Center to determine copyright holders for information in this collection. Reproduction of any item must contain the complete citation to the original.
Preferred Citation: [Item], Gordon M. Putnam papers, Special Collections Research Center, Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
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