Frank Caldwell Hershberger Papers

The papers were assembled by Colonel Frank Caldwell Hershberger (1888-1965) over a long international career as a veterinary medicine specialist. The bulk of the collection consists of photographs and postcards gathered into three scrapbooks dating from 1908-circa 1955. These albums cover various locations in Europe and Africa, as well as Diamond, Wyoming, and the Philippines. Additional loose photographs date from circa 1905 and document his time at the University of Missouri, Camp Marfa (Texas), Fort Monroe (Virginia), Fort Riley (Kansas), Fort Sill (Oklahoma), and Fort Mills (Corregidor, Philippines). Photographs include military officers, military polo teams, training cavalry horses, and the process of transporting horses via troopship. Augmenting the visual materials are articles, diplomatic papers, typescripts, some correspondence, and a diary related to Hershberger’s work for the Chinese government (1914-1918). One typescript details the history of the Port Veterinarian for the Port of Embarkation, New York, 1921-1945. The collection also includes the Legion of Merit medal, Legionnaire degree, which is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

Displaying 1 - 10 of 11 Items

Diary, Frank C. Hershberger

This diary written by Frank C. Hershberger is of his time in China from 1914 to 1918. It appears to have been written some time after 1914, as there are several mentions of World War II. The first entry is dated December 1914, and the location is labeled as "North Manchuria." Hershberger recounts travel across China and Russia and writes about political situations he experiences in the region. The final entries appear to be dated in March 1918.

Memo "Historical Report, Port Veterinarian's Branch, New York Port of Embarkation"

This memorandum from Frank C. Hershberger to the Surgeon General of the Army, Veterinary Division, Brig. Gen. R.A. Kelser, notes that a historical narrative of the Port Veterinarian's Branch, New York Port of Embarkation in Brooklyn, New York, is attached. The historical narrative covers December 8, 1941 to June 30, 1945. The documents include two historical narratives and two statistical reports.

Memo to Post Surgeon, NYPE

This memorandum from Frank C. Hershberger to the Port Surgeon of the New York Port of Embarkation (NYPE) provides comments about a proposed transfer of veterinary activities from NYPE to 2nd Services Command. It contains details on the role and responsibilities of the Port Veterinarian, a role which Hershberger held at the time. Hershberger concludes that the services should not be transferred.

Note, U.S. Army Supply Base

This is a typed note that outlines an act of Congress for the Construction Division of the Army to start a construction project beginning May 15, 1918 and ending September 6, 1919.

Photograph album, Hershberger no. 1

This album contains photographs and postcards from the 1910s through the 1930s collected by Frank C. Hershberger during his life and travels, including many photographs of individuals as well as animals. Locations identified in the photographs included: Fort Riley, Kansas; Camp Marta, Texas; Jasper National Park; Fort Davis, Texas, Fort Monroe, Virginia, Camp Lee, Virginia; Diamond, Wyoming; Indiana, cities in Manchuria (Sansing, Aigun/Ta-hai-ho); Siberia, the Amur River, and the Sungari/Songhua River. There are several photographs of the United States Army transport (USAT) Meigs ship. There are also postcards from the Taj Mahal in India, and several cities in Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Koblenz, Cologne, Stralsund). The album contains more information on people and locations, handwritten on photographs as well as on the scrapbook pages.

Photograph album, Hershberger no. 2

This album contains photographs and postcards several locations where Frank C. Hershberger traveled and lived. Locations of the postcards include Germany (Berlin), The Netherlands (The Hague, Rotterdam), Belgium (Brussels, Antwerp), France (Marseille), Egypt (Cairo), Singapore, Libya (Tripoli), the United States (Claremore, Oklahoma). There are photographs of army officers, ships, scientists, unnamed individuals, and homes, Also included are other pieces of travel related emphemera such as brochures and hotel advertisements.

Photograph album, Hershberger no. 3

This album contains photographs and postcards from the 1930s of people and places in the Philippines where Frank C. Hershberger was stationed in the 1930s. Some photos are of people and bears in the United States. Locations in the Philippines represented by the photographs and postcards include Baguio, Bontoc (Mountain Province), Banaue, Manila, and Iloilo City. There are photographs of individuals and groups from the Cordilleran (labeled as Igorot in the photographs) indigenous groups of the Philippines including the Isneg (labeled as Apayao in the photographs) and Ifugao. There are photographs of some Cordilleran burial practices. There are also photographs of animals in the Philippines including carabao, dogs, and chickens. There are clippings of landscape drawings of the Mountain Province, as well as postcards from Singapore and Mexico City, Mexico. 2022-02-08: Some images on pages 15 and 17 have been removed from the digital copy as they include human remains, per Morse Department policy.

Report "Historical Narrative Report - Port Veterinarian's Branch, New York Port of Embarkation, From 11 July 1921 to 7 December 1941"

This a historical narrative report about the Port Veterinarian's Branch at the New York Port of Embarkation from when it was created around July 11, 1921. The report covers July 1921 to December 7, 1941. It details the history of the Veterinary Service, including chain of command and officers. The Depot Veterinarian was tasked with inspecting meats and dairy products for troops in foreign stations purchased by the Quatermaster Supply Officer. There is some information about Port Newark, which was desiganted as a sub-depot.Hershberger reported for service at the port in March 1938. In December 1939, the port also took over inspection for the Panama Railroad Company.

Report "Historical Narrative Report - Port Veterinarian's Branch, New York Port of Embarkation, From 8 December 1941 to 30 June 1945"

This is a historical report of the Port Veterinarian New York Port of Embarkation between December 8, 1941 and June 30, 1945, covering the port's contributions to World War II efforts. The report is divided into 11 sections: Personnel, Panama Railroad Co., Inspection and Salvage of Canned Meats, Meat and Dairy Hygiene, Training of Personnel, Army Cargo and Ship Stores, Loss Through Loading Operations, Animal Shipment, Contagious Disease Control, Scope of Port Authority, and Summary.

Report "Historical Report, Office of the Port Veterinarian, New York Port of Embarkation"

This is a historical report of the Port Veterinarian New York Port of Embarkation between December 1941 and June 1945, covering the port's contributions to World War II efforts. The report gives personnel information and recounts the amounts of food inspections done, particularly covering the time period after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the entry of the United States into World War II. Some information is provided about transitioning Veterinary Officers back to the United States at the end of the war.