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Donald Leon Mills collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MG 651

Content Description

Scrapbooks, books, and military information, and photographs taken by Donald Leon Mills while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, primarily in Italy and France. Also images from when he was a student at the University of Idaho after WWII.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1942-2013

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Donald Leon Mills was born 12 August 1924 in Port Orchard, Washington to Lloyd D. Mills and Lucy Mills. Mills married Audrey A. Johnson on 18 October 1936. He joined the University of Idaho in 1942 before taking a leave of absence in 1943 to join the United States Army. Mills received ASTP Radio Operator School in Syracuse, New York. He was part of the 104th Infantry, worked as a company clerk and as a Scout rising to the rank of Private First Class. He served on the European Front, primarily in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was awarded the following medals: World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Croix De Guerre with Palm, French Fourragere, Good Conduct Medal. He was honerably discharged from the Army on 8 January 1946 and then from the Navy as a Seaman Apprentice on 29 May 1953 following years of inactivity. After World War II, Mills returned to the University of Idaho and received a Bachelor of Music in either 1947 or 1948. Mills and his wife immigrated to Canada in 1961. Audrey Johnson Mills died 2 April 2023. Don L. Mills died 25 December 2023.

Extent

1.5 Cubic Feet (1 banker box, 1 scrapbook box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Photographs, books, and records relating to Donald Leon Mills and his time on the European front in World War II, primarily Italy and France.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Materials were donated by Michael Boyle and Richard Ottewell, Co-Executors of Mills Estate.

Condition Description

Some materials slightly musty due to age. Scrapbooks showing some signs of decay on the exterior as do the two books primarily discoloration.

Title
Guide to Donald Mills papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Kelley Moulton.
Date
2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives Repository