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Preferred Citation

Paul Dresser Papers, 1940-1963, bulk 1944-1947, Special Collections Research Center, William and Mary Libraries.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Paul Dresser, Jr., 2016.

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, papers, photographs, newsletters, and publications of Paul Dresser from his service in the Fifth Army during World War II. As a member of the Officer leadership of the Army Group, Dresser worked closely with General Clark, Commander of the Fifth Army throughout the war. Dresser participated in the landing of American forces in North Africa (Operation Torch) and served briefly under General Patton during this campaign. Included in his papers is a sign that served as written communication for the landing forces under the leadership of Patton. Dresser sent home carbon copies of Patton's immediate correspondence with Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery to his wife for safe keeping. A letter to require the complete surrender from the Sultan of Morocco is included in the messages Dresser kept.

Arrangement

The first series of the Paul Dresser papers reflect his personal correspondence with his wife, and papers concerning his Army career. Subsequent series follow movement as Dresser fought in operations with the Fifth Army during World War II starting in Africa, then to Italy, and finally Vienna. During Dresser's tour in Vienna, his wife and two children were permitted to visit and temporarily live with him at this duty station. Photographs were created into a sparate series based on their general subject matter. Those phtotgraphs that were annotated are documented clearly within this series. Dresser kept many field pamphlets and publications concerning the Fifth Army and the war in general in Europe. This includes a large amount of travel guides and otherwise ephemeral documentation. Together, they serve as a vivd snapshot of the life of Army soldiers in Occupied Europe following World War II. Dresser also kept most of the Stars and Stripes publications he recieved while serving overseas. The Algiers, African, and Italian Stars and Stripes have been cataloged separately.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Operation Torch, 1942
• Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945
• United States. Army. Army, 5th
• World War, 1939-1945
• World War, 1939-1945--Italy