Camp Howze Museum

Items

• VIII Service Command
  Insignia for the VIII Service Command of the Army Service Forces
• "German Refugee Saw Growth of Nazi Power"
  In this article Private Oscar Freitag, a Jewish U.S. Army soldier and recently naturalized American citizen, tells of escaping Germany under threat from Hitler's anti-semitic supporters.
• "No Time for Racial Discontent"
  Article published in the Denton Record-Chronicle arguing the recent praise and recognition of black Americans' valuable contributions to the war effort upset white Americans, especially in the southern states, and risked worsening the racist bigotry black Americans were already forced to endure.
• "Don't Want Negro Soldiers"
  An article in the Denton Record-Chronicle about local small towns requesting the government not send them black soldiers.
• "Seek Center for Negro Soldiers"
  An article in the Denton Record-Chronicle about the efforts of black community members in Denton to have the city address its lack of recreational facilities available for visiting black soldiers.
• Racist "joke"
  A demeaning portrayal of black soldiers published in the Denton Record-Chronicle intended as a joke.
• "Denton Negro Soldier Reenlists"
  Article in the Denton Record-Chronicle announcing that George Pollard, after serving in the Army for three years, had reenlisted in the military to serve in the Army Air Forces.
• "A Story from the Other World War"
  A racist portrayal of black soldiers was published as a joke in the Denton Record-Chronicle.
• "How to Tell A Fascist"
  Article by War Correspondent, Cecil Brown, published in the Camp Howze Howitzer, described the characteristics of a fascist.
• "A Message to Tojo"
  Article in the Camp Howze Howitzer about Chinese-American soldier, Private Hong Gong from Company L of the 409th Infantry Regiment, who immigrated to the U.S. and trained at Camp Howze.
• "Mormon Worship Now Conducted"
  Article in the Camp Howze Howitzer about two officers from the 410th Infantry Regiment of the 103rd Division leading Mormon worship services.
• "GI Becomes U.S. Citizen"
  Article in Camp Howze Howitzer about Canadian immigrant, Private Ermine DiSasparro, becoming a U.S. citizen while stationed at Camp Howze.
• "Pvt Jean Birnholz"
  Article in Camp Howze Howitzer about Private Jean Birnholz, a Camp Howze soldier who immigrated from France.
• Camp Howze Post Cards
  Images of Camp Howze locations and soldiers.
• Maj. Gen. Charles Christian Jr. Haffner
  Image of Maj. Gen. Charles Christian Jr. Haffner.
• Company A, 57th Battalion- Camp Howze
  Group photo of Company A
• 84th Infantry Division
  Insignia of the 84th division.
• Americans All
  Lady Liberty and War Bonds
• Wife Outranks Camp Howze Soldier
  A Gainsville Register article about a Camp Howze soldier's wife coming to visit him.
• The Locusts Descended
  Thanksgiving dinner
• Ready for Surgery
  Photograph of doctor performing surgery.
• Red Cross Arts and Crafts
  Red Cross Center provides entertainment to patients at the station hospital.
• Post Exchange
  Image from Howitzer of Camp Howze post exchange.
• Women Working in Motors
  An article in the Gainsville Register details two girls receiving Cisco training on motors.
• Women in Slacks
  A newspaper article about women working as cab and truck drivers in Gainsville, Texas.
• "Attend Services at Your Chapel"
  List of religious services available at Camp Howze published in the Camp Howze Howitzer.
• "Brazilian Nites"
  Article published in the Camp Howze Howitzer advertising a new USO show for Camp Howze.
• Commanding Officers of posts and camps of the U.S. Army Service Forces' VIII Service Command
  Photograph from the Camp Howze Howitzer of commanding officers within the VIII Service Command with each officer identified in the caption.
• "El Matador and El Torro"
  Article with a photograph of Cpl. Manuel (Pancho) Fernandez described his bullfighter training and how he introduced friends in his infantry unit to the sport.
• "Papers from Home"
  Photograph published in the Camp Howze Howitzer of "white" soldiers enjoying free and easy access to their preferred news publications.
• "Chaplains Aid in Jewish Services"
  Article in the Camp Howze Howitzer about coordination between U.S. Army chaplains and the Gainesville Jewish Welfare Board to provide religious services for Jewish soldiers stationed at Camp Howze.
• "Gen. Somervell Speaks to ASF on Force's Birthday"
  Transcript of speech given by the Commanding General of the Army Service Forces that emphasized the importance of the ASF to the war effort.
• "G.I. Aliens May Become Citizens"
  Article from the Camp Howze Howitzer announcing that immigrant soldiers can apply for citizenship after six months of service and to seek assistance from their unit personnel officers for help with filing the correct paperwork.
• Colonel John P. Wheeler, Commander of Camp Howze under the VIII Service Command of the U.S. Army Service Forces
  Photograph of Col. Wheeler addressing attendants at the camp's first anniversary celebrations.
• Cooke County pulls out of debt
  Cooke County was nearly eight thousand dollars in debt at the beginning of 1941, but two years later the County was completely out of debt, and even found itself with a surplus in the bank. Camp Howze contributed to this economic gain by providing jobs and increased business activity in the town of Gainesville, the seat of Cooke County.
• Farm labor shortage supplanted by Howze soldiers
  Labor shortages hit the country hard during the second world war, but farming and agriculture took a significant blow because most able-bodied men were off to fight in the war. Cooke county farms were able to overcome this problem through programs that made use of Camp Howze soldiers. Not only did the camp provide labor for these farms, but the farmers preferred the soldiers over any other labor source.
• Total Population of Gainesville
  A chart created by Rhealee Andrews depicting the total population of Gainesville, Tx by the thousands for the years:1930,1940,1950,2000.
• Brigader General Anthony McAuliffe
  An image of General Anthony McAuliffe posing in front of the American flag in full uniform. He postured up right and facing to his right.
• Travis Budlong
  Image of Budlong, far left, and soldiers.
• Teens Dress Up As POWs
  In the WWII Edition of the Denton Retrospect of August 2020 in the section about Camp Howze, there is mention of how teenagers would dress up as POWs. These teens were warned not to do this as it was scaring the townspeople and it could result in injuries for the teens if they were mistaken as true POWs.
• Infanty Units
  Black and white image of infantry units.
• Hartl Box
  The box carved by Friedrich "Fritz" Hartl Jr. (son of a POW) and given to the Morton Museum. The box was a token of Hartl's gratitude for the kindness that his father recieved in Gainesville as a POW>
• "The Army Service Forces"
  Short film produced by the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army Service Forces to educate the public about the critical role USASF played in America's WWII war effort.
• HIST 4261.001 /5420.001 syllabus
  Syllabus for the course "North Texas Public History Research Seminar," the students of which created this website
• Brig. Gen. Harris M. Melasky
  Brig. Gen. Harris M. Melasky, of Austin, Texas commander of the 86th infantry division at Camp Howze.
• Greetings from Camp Howze postcard
  Image of the front of a postcard titled "Greetings from Camp Howze
• "Gainesville Officers to Be Housed Here" Newspaper Article
  A news article from the Denton Record Chronicle informing Denton residents of the incoming tide of soldiers and their families coming to settle in the Denton and North Texas area, August 14, 1942.
• "Camp Howze Bank" Newspaper Clipping
  A news clipping from the Denton Record Chronicle informing readers of a branch of the First National Bank of Dallas opening to serve the soldiers and residents of Camp Howze, October 29, 1943.
• First Men at Howze
  Picture showing some of the first men to arrive to the war camp
• "News From The Cactus Patch" Newsletter
  The newsletter, "News From The Cactus Patch," was supplied by the 103d Infantry Division Association of WWII. The association, usually, sent out the newsletter quarterly to veterans of the 103d infantry division. This is just a glimpse of the numerous issues sent to the veterans of the 103d. The newsletter was intended to notify veterans about upcoming reunions, facts on the 103d and its legacy, and notable anniversaries that were significant to the 103d. This issue also includes a "Honor Roll," which lists the names of veterans who have died since the last newsletter was sent.