James W. Ochs World War II collection
Collection Description
Collection includes a photo album of images taken by Ochs, 16 photos taken by the Army Signal Corps of the 26th Infantry Division, and a scrapbook of documents, articles, letters, brochures and other printed materials, currency and artifacts collected by Ochs. Photographs in the album document his tour of duty in France with the 26th Division, friends he acquired in France, and his leisure time activities. The collection also included is a copy of the video interview conducted for the Veterans History Project, digitized images from the photo album, and a dvd compiled by Ochs of images and music.
Dates
- 1942-1945
Creator
- Ochs, James W. (Person)
Access to Materials
Collection is open for research use. Materials may be accessed by request at Special Collections and University Archives in Seidman House. Materials do not circulate.
Publication Rights
For information on copyright or permissions for this collection, contact Grand Valley State University Special Collections.
Biography
Born in Charlevoix, Michigan in 1922, Jim Ochs grew up through the Depression. After graduating from high school in 1940, he attended college for a couple of years before receiving his draft notice in late 1942. He received training as a photographer, but was shuttled around between different training programs and eventually wound up with a signal company attached to the 26th Division as a message center runner. His division went to France in the fall of 1944, and was in action around Metz, in the Bulge counterattack, and Patton's advance into Germany. Ochs managed to acquire a camera and improvised a darkroom to develop his pictures while on campaign.
Extent
1.0 Linear feet (2 flat boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Preservica Internal URL
https://us.preservica.com/explorer/explorer.html#prop:4&f2f5b183-121d-45fe-a216-1d4605ca29cb
Preservica Public URL
http://gvsu.access.preservica.com/archive/sdb%3Acollection|f2f5b183-121d-45fe-a216-1d4605ca29cb/
Source of Acquisition
Acquired from James W. Ochs as a result of the Veterans History Project interview conducted by Grand Valley State University History Department’s James Smither, 2011.
Alternative Format
A scrapbook and selection of photographs from this collection have been digitized and are available in our Digital Collection.
- France Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Photographs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Scrapbooks Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Army
- World War, 1939-1945 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Creator
- Ochs, James W. (Person)
- Title
- James W. Ochs World War II collection, RHC-55
- Author
- Special Collections & University Archives
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
- TypeCollection
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Valley State University Special Collections and University Archives Repository
Seidman House
1 Campus Drive
Allendale MI 49401 United States
616-331-8726
collections@gvsu.edu