Aison, Howard Bertram A Guide to the Howard Bertram Aison Papers MG 61

A Guide to the Howard Bertram Aison Papers MG 61


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ODU Community Collections

3000 Perry Library
4427 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
Business Number: 757-683-5350
libspecialcollections@odu.edu
URL: https://www.odu.edu/library/special-collections

Jay Gaidmore

Repository
ODU Community Collections
Identification
MG 61
Title
Howard Bertram Aison Papers circa 1918-1964, undated Date acquired: 06/22/1999
URL:
Archon Finding Aid location
Quantity
5.70 Linear Feet
Quantity
8 Hollinger document cases and 2 oversize boxes boxes
Creator
Aison, Howard B. (Howard Bertram) (1920-1997)
Language
English .
Abstract
Aison was a career Army officer who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. This collection primarily relates to his service in these wars. Includes correspondence, photographs, citations, orders, diaries and recollections, unit histories, artifacts, and maps.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restriction.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Howard Bertram Aison Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Source of Acquisition

Gerald P. Gaidmore

Method of Acquisition

Gift. Accession #A98-5


Biographical or Historical Information

Howard Bertram Aison was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 7, 1920. He served almost his entire life in the United States Army, serving in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He attended Georgetown University, graduating in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service. He also participated in ROTC. On June 4, 1942, Aison was drafted into the United States Army. Although he had taken ROTC courses in college he chose to remain an enlisted man, feeling that he was not prepared to be an officer. He served in the 77th Ordnance Depot Company taking part in the Allied campaigns in North Africa, Italy, Southern France, and Germany.

After the war, Aison returned to civilian life, married, and began working as a salesman. He did not enjoy civilian life, however, and chose to reenlist in the Army, this time as an officer. He was commissioned a second Lieutenant in the Ordnance Department on August 6, 1948. On March 7, 1951, he was promoted to first Lieutenant in the Infantry and, a year later, was ordered to Korea. Aison was first assigned as a United Nations liaison officer with the 2nd Infantry Division, 8th Army. He was responsible for acting as the liaison between the U.S. Division and the United Nations' units serving with it. He then became a platoon leader in a weapons platoon, and then a rifle platoon. On July 6, 1952, he was awarded a Bronze star for actions during a patrol. He was transferred to Civil Assistance in the 2nd Division, where he took an active role in the formation of the "Friendship Home," an orphanage for Korean children. On July 31, 1953 he was promoted to Captain and returned home from Korea in September.

From March 1962 to March 1963, Aison served as senior advisor to the 6th Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, I Corps, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On October 21, 1963, he was awarded a Bronze star with first Oak Leaf cluster for "meritorious duty against hostile forces." He retired from the United States Army in 1969 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He resided in Virginia Beach where he worked in imports and exports and invested in real estate. In 1974, he separated from his wife, but never divorced. On August 28, 1997, Lt. Colonel Howard Bertram Aison (ret.) died in Virginia Beach.

Note written by Jay Gaidmore

Scope and Contents

The collection contains correspondence, photographs, military training manuals, orders, diaries, recollections, unit histories, commendations, printed material, artifacts, and maps related to Howard Bertram Aison's service in the United States Army. The bulk of the collection documents his participation in World War II , Korean War, and Vietnam War. Papers accumulated during Aison's years as a student at Georgetown University are also included.

Arrangement Note

The collection is organized into seven series: Series I: Correspondence; Series II: Military Records; Series III: Student Papers; Series IV: Printed Material; Series V: Maps; Series VI: Photographs; and Series VII: Oversized Materials.

Subjects and Indexing Terms


Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Series I
Series I: Correspondence
1951-1953
Scope and Contents

This series contains letters Aison sent his wife while serving in the United States Army. The letters document his experiences training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (August - December 1951) and Camp Gordon, Georgia (January 1952), and his service in Korea (March 1952 - September 1953). Some of the topics discussed in the letters include training and drilling, a soldier's social life, an assessment of the military situation in Korea in 1952, life at the front, French and British fighting forces, the bombing of enemy lines, bunker construction, interaction with soldiers from the Republic of Korea, supply problems, dealing with guerillas, the black market, Korean National Policemen, and peace talks. A letter dated April 2, 1952 includes surrender leaflets fired into enemy lines. A letter dated July 6, 1952 recounts the patrol for which he was awarded a bronze star including citation, map of patrol, and interrogation of prisoners. A letter dated March 22, 1953 discusses the exploits of Courtney Mansfield, an African-American soldier.

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Series II
Series II: Military Records
1942-1964, undated
Scope and Contents

This series contains military records documenting Aison's service in the United States Army. Included in the series are orders, service medals, recollections of his service, and military training material, among others.

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Series III
Series III: Student Papers
circa 1938-1942
Scope and Contents

This series includes essays and notes relating to courses in international law, and exporting while Aison was at Georgetown University. Of interest are notes pertaining to hypnotism, and a list of the Dewey Decimal System.

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Series IV
Series IV: Printed Material
1918-1956, undated
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Series V
Series V: Maps and Overlays
undated
Scope and Contents

This series contains maps and overlays of regions and countries throughout the world. They appear to have been used for military strategic purposes for Division Operations, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (Ft. Leavenworth).

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Series VI
Series VI: Photographs
circa 1942-1964, undated
Scope and Contents

This series contains photographs documenting Aison's service in the military, primarily during World War II and Vietnam. Many of the photographs from World War II are labeled. Of note are two scrapbooks containing photographs of his service in Vietnam. Also of interest are postcards of Paris and Constantine, Algeria, and five panorama photos. Two of the panoramas are from his father's service in World War I.

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Series VII
Series VII: Oversized Materials
1919-1958, undated
Scope and Contents

This series includes promotional posters for bullfighting events in Spain, a color sketch of a young boy, certificates and diplomas for military training and from schools Aison attended.

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