Jack Kotthoff World War II Papers
Description of Contents
This collection consists of a scrapbook compiled by Jack Kotthoff during his European service in World War II and documents from the Battery C 217th and Battery B 49th veterans' organization from the late 1940s to the early 2000s.
The scrapbook contains black and white photographs and other mementos of Kotthoff's service in Iceland, Scotland, England, France, Belgium, and the Rhineland. Documents from the veterans' organization are chiefly annual reunion minutes and mailing lists.
Dates
- 1941 - 2003
Creator
- Kotthoff, Jack M. (Person)
Access Restrictions
The collection is available for use in Special Collections during the department's open hours.
Biography
John Mark "Jack" Kotthoff was born on January 3, 1916 to John and Julia (Eckstein) Kotthoff. In 1925, the family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where young Jack attended St. Elizabeth's Catholic School. He graduated from South High SChool in 1934.
In 1941, Jack Kotthoff was drafted into the U.S. Army. He began his training at Fort Snelling before being transferred to California. In August 1942, he was sent to Iceland. After 15 months, his unit was sent to Scotland and then England. After D-Day, he served in France, Belgium, and the Rhineland. Kotthoff was a maintenance mechanic and 2nd class gunner in the Battery B 49th. After the war, Kotthoff returned home to Minneapolis
Jack Kotthoff died January 10, 2003, and is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Extent
1 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Donor Information
This collection was donated by Mary Katherine Johnson, niece of Jack Kotthoff, in February 2022 as accession 2022.07.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Jenna Jacobs in February 2022.
- Minnesota World War II Collections Subject Source: Local sources
- Travel -- Europe Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Army
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Pacific Coast (U.S.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War, 1939-1945. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Jack Kotthoff World War II Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jenna Jacobs
- Date
- February 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Hennepin County Library Special Collections Repository
Minneapolis Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis MN 55401 U.S.A.
612-543-8200
specialcoll@hclib.org
