Kenneth Riddle collection
Collection
Identifier: L743
Scope and Contents
This collection contains correspondence sent by Kenneth Riddle from April 1943 to April 1944 to his family in Marion, Indiana while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II; a circa 1943 souvenir postcard packet from Camp Blanding, Florida; telegrams from the War Department regarding Riddle's serious wounding on April 4, 1944 and details related to the return of his remains in 1948; letters sent by family in the spring of 1944 that were returned following his death; a May 1944 letter from Bettie Walton to Lottie Riddle; a postcard sent to the Riddles from their son Omer while in a hospital in France postmarked November 6, 1944; and newspaper clippings regarding Riddle's arrival in Italy, his wounding, his death and his funeral following the return of his remains in 1948.
The collection also includes the Purple Heart posthumously awarded to Kenneth Riddle, his army issued pocket knife, his wallet, a ring with "Naples" etched on it, and the Purple Heart awarded to William C. Morgan, the father-in-law of Walter G. Riddle, Kenneth's younger brother.
The collection also includes the Purple Heart posthumously awarded to Kenneth Riddle, his army issued pocket knife, his wallet, a ring with "Naples" etched on it, and the Purple Heart awarded to William C. Morgan, the father-in-law of Walter G. Riddle, Kenneth's younger brother.
Dates
- 1943-1948, undated
Creator
- Riddle, Kenneth, 1924-1944 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
No further additions are expected.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Kenneth Riddle was born February 28, 1924 in Marion, Grant County, Indiana to Clay and Lottie (Teal) Riddle. He attended Martin Boots Junior High School and was employed at Atlas Foundry prior to his March 1943 enlistment in the U.S. Army during World War II. Riddle received his basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida and served on the Italian front with the 135th Infantry. Prior to his enlistment, he and Bettie Walton obtained a marriage license in February 1943, but the marriage only lasted a brief time. Riddle was seriously wounded in battle on April 4, 1944 and died of his injuries on April 11. He was posthumously awared the Purple Heart and his remains were returned to his family in Indiana in the summer of 1948.
Source:
Items in the collection.
Ancestry.com. "Kenneth Riddle." U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1970. Assessed July 22, 2021. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
"Marriage licenses." Marion Chronicle (IN), February 25, 1943.
Source:
Items in the collection.
Ancestry.com. "Kenneth Riddle." U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1970. Assessed July 22, 2021. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
"Marriage licenses." Marion Chronicle (IN), February 25, 1943.
Extent
0.3 Cubic Feet (1 manuscript box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Walter G. Riddle on 1991/06/07.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2021/07/22 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2021/07/22 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid revised 2024/05/10 by Brittany Kropf.
Creator
- Riddle, Kenneth, 1924-1944 (Person)
- Title
- Kenneth Riddle collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
