Interesting archive associated with Willard Prince, a veteran of World War I who would go on to be a founder of the Heisman Trophy as chairman of New York's Downtown Athletic Club. Includes a packet of "Secret" orders preceding the Battle of Saint-Mihiel in 1918 (including an impressive fold-out map), three World War I-era ALSs by Willard Prince, typed extracts of Prince's letters home from France, and a Fifth Division newspaper from April 1919.
The orders, dated August 25, 1918, are headed "Subject: Tentative plan of attack, 1st Army Corps," and outline the mission of the corps (to hold Moselle and attack toward Limey), and provide details on specific objectives, troop movements, plans, and assignments, and notably uses the terms "D Day" and "H Hour." Inside is a map of the region, with hand-colored areas indicating "smoke barrage," "foul gas," "lethal gas," and "neutralizing gas," bringing to life the adversity the corps would face in advancing through the German trenches. In the rear is a memo with code names to be used on telephone calls, as well as information on ciphers and signals. The last page is stamped "Official, Hq. First Army Corps, Operations Section," and bears the name "H. Liggett," referring to Major General Hunter Liggett. The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was the first and only offensive launched solely by the United States Army in World War I, and the attack caught the Germans in the process of retreating. Given the disorganized German forces, the attack proved more successful than expected and established the United States as a formidable allied force. The Battle of Saint-Mihiel is also noteworthy as the first use of the term "D-Day," which would earn greater fame in World War II. In Stephen Ambrose's book D-Day: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II, he notes that 'as far as the U.S. Army can determine, the first use of D for Day, H for Hour was in Field Order No. 8, of the First Army, A.E.F., issued on Sept. 20, 1918'—the use of those terms in these preliminary orders of August 25th pre-dates that field order.
Prince's handwritten letters, all sent to his family and signed "Willard," total nine pages, with two dated 1918 and the third undated. Pre-deployment, he describes camp life: "This is such a big place and so unlike any thing we have yet seen. But no one likes it for it is very barren and there is absolutely no scenery. They bring the New York papers & that is all that keeps us in touch with the world…There is nothing to the expression we hear about secret movements of troops. Such a thing is impossible in the U.S….About all of the 5th Div. that is not across seas is here in camp…There seem to be no military secrets here at this camp but I imagine should we go abroad that our movements would be secret and under cover of darkness." In another pre-deployment letter, he discusses generally family matters but notes the enthusiasm of his fellow young soldiers: "Everyone is so enthusiastic & patriotic and wants us to go across. It is surely great spirit and helps us a lot." In the third letter, he announces his departure for front: "A very hurried note to say I am going…Will write all I can and am going with good courage and hope to see a whole lot. Don't worry but rather remember I can take care of myself and have lots of good friends."
The later typescripts of his letters home from France offer extraordinary insight into the perspective of an American soldier from the front lines, and the original Fifth Division 'Diamond' newspaper, published in Luxembourg on April 29, 1929, chronicles the division's action during the Argonne-Meuse Offensive. In overall very good to fine condition.
