Scope and Content
The Philip E. Scholz collection documents Scholz’s World War I service in the United States Army. Materials include correspondence, a memoir, military papers, printed matter, and photographs dating 1918-1920.
Comprising a substantial portion of the collection, correspondence consists of letters sent primarily by Scholz to his brother, sister, and parents. Two letters from fellow veterans sent after Scholz’s discharge, postcards from the War Department, and other personal correspondence are also included. Topics in the letters mostly center on daily camp and military life, injury updates, and Scholz’s observations regarding the U.S. Army, World War I, and Europe. The memoir is written by Scholz’s niece, Victoria Ott. It tells the story of Ott and her parents preparing to visit Scholz at Camp Grant and baking a cake for her uncle. At the end, she recounts what happened to Scholz and another uncle, Alvin Ploeger, after they returned from service. Printed matter includes numerous postcards documenting military scenes at Camp Grant and in Europe. Other items include a card titled, "Wilson Will Win," which includes an image of the then-Governor of New Jersey and a biography of Woodrow Wilson, an image of Camp Grant, an invitation to a dance at the Opera House in Port Washington, Wisconsin, and a religious message printed on a small card. Photographs consist of Scholz in uniform by himself or with fellow soldiers. Two other images include a group photo of the 7th Contingent and Local Board of Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, on May 23, 1918, a few days before Scholz departed for Camp Grant, and an image of the USS Louisiana.