Record Groups
Images
Metadata
Collection |
Thomas Ligon Papers |
Object Name |
Collection |
Catalog Number |
RG-178 |
Dates of Creation |
1939-2005 |
Extent of Description |
1.5 linear feet (3 boxes) |
Admin/Biographical History |
Thomas Ligon was born in Virginia on September 11, 1910. In 1937, Thomas began serving with the National Guard and on February 3, 1941, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served throughout the war with the 967th Field Artillery Battalion. He arrived in the European Theater at the end of February 1944. Attached to the 29th Infantry Division, the 967th was instrumental in the Battle of Saint-Lo and the Battle of Aachen. Thomas' service took him through England, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his work supervising a battalion fire direction center. After the war, Thomas continued to serve with the Army Reserve until he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1961. |
Copyrights |
No restriction on use. |
Language of Material |
English, German, and French. |
Scope & Content |
The Thomas Ligon Papers focus primarily on the World War II service of Major Thomas A. Ligon. These papers include photographs, newsletters, correspondence, and souvenirs from his service in the European Theater. Folder 1 contains copies of Thomas' Military Personnel Records from the National Archives. Folder 2 has the 967th Field Artillery Battalion unit history. Folder 3 holds several other Army documents, including notes taken, presumably by Thomas, about supplies and rations. Folder 4 appears to hold various propaganda leaflets in French and German. Folder 5 contains correspondence, mainly written to Thomas from various family members. Folder 6 has surveillance photos. Folder 7 has several issues of Le Tomahawk, the XIX Corps newsletter published during World War II. Additionally, Folder 8 has several issues of 29 Let's Go, which was the 29th Infantry Division's newsletter. Folder 9 contains a lone publication of The Yank. Folder 10 holds photographs of soldiers, most likely in the 967th and locations in which Thomas served. Folder 11 contains a few original photographs, but mainly prints, of the boxcar donated by Thomas which sits outside the museum. Folder 12 has various ephemera collected by Thomas as he traveled Europe, including maps, theater programs, and receipts. Folder 13 holds various postcards and souvenir photos collected during Thomas' travels. Folder 14 contains the handwritten lyrics to a song. Folder 15 has an article, possibly sent to Thomas by a family member, which discusses LTG Courtney H. Hodges. Folder 16 has various documentation pertaining to Thomas' membership in the Field Artillery Association. Folder 17 contains several Army guides and tables used to calculate trajectories. Box 3 contains various Army manuals and two handwritten notebooks, presumably used by Thomas during his training and assignment in Europe. Finally, Box 4 contains numerous issues of the Stars and Stripes and five oversized photos. |
Subjects |
United States Army 967th Field Artillery Battalion 29th Infantry Division XIX Corps Battle of Saint-Lô Battle of Aachen Bronze Star Medal |
Imagefile |
006\RG178-2.JPG |
Relation |
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