Richard Platte Red Arrow Division collection

Collection

Identifier: RHC-99

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection contains materials relating to the history of the U.S. Army 32nd Infantry "Red Arrow" Division during World War II collected by Richard Platte and his wife, Annette. Materials include newsletters, such as "Red Arrow News," and "Vignettes," as well as publications such as "13,000 Hours: A Combat History of the 32nd Inf Division" and 11 issues of "Yank Down Under." Other materials include memorial textiles such as pillow cases, a pennant and a banner. Also included is a large newspaper clipping scrapbook about the Red Arrow Division, in very poor condition. The collection also contains a small amount of photographs, correspondence, and other ephemera relating to Richard Platte and the Red Arrow Division, as well as a large newspaper clipping scrapbook relating to sports in the 1930s, also in very poor condition.

Dates

1933 - 1945

Creator

Platte, Richard (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.

Biographical Note

Sgt. Richard "Dick" Platte, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, served in the U.S. Army, 32nd Infantry "Red Arrow" Division, 126th 3rd Battalion, Headquarters Company. The company trained for the war in Europe at Camp Livingston, Louisiana in 1941 and conducted maneuvers near Camp Beauregard. In the spring of 1942 the 32nd Division sailed to the South Pacific and settled in Australia. The 126th Regiment was organized into a combat team and was the first of U.S. forces dispatched to Port Moresby in New Guinea.