John L. Gent Collection

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-354

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Materials in the John L. Gent collection date from 1905 to 1946, but are predominantly from the years leading up to and including World War II (1936-1945). While serving Gent collected artifacts significant to his time at war. These artifacts represent a large portion of the collection and include foreign paper money and coins as well as military arm bands, patches, ribbons, pins, and belt buckles. Nazi Party propaganda postcards, many of which feature Hitler, are also included in the collection. A small part of the collection consists of U.S. Army publications given to serviceman during WWII.

Dates

created: 1905-1946
Other: Majority of material found in 1936-1945
Other: Date acquired: 09/15/0016

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

John L. Gent was born October 14, 1906 in DeKalb, Illinois. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 30, 1941 in Chicago. He was a member of the 183rd Field Artillery Battalion in WWII, which were a part of the VII U.S. Corps under the command of Lieutenant General J. Lawton Collins. They fought in campaigns including Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland (Germany), Ardennes-Alsace (Belgium/Battle of the Bulge), and Central Europe. He died on October 24, 1971 and was buried in St. Mary Cemetery located in DeKalb. His military headstone reads, “Tec 5, 183rd Field Artillery Battalion.”

Note written by

Extent

1.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

Mike Wayman, John Gent’s nephew, donated the John L. Gent Collection to the Joiner History Room whom later donated the records to the Regional History Center. Gent’s items were saved over the years by his sister, Elizabeth Gent Smith.

Source of Acquisition

Sue Breese

Method of Acquisition

The Joiner History Room donated the collection to the Regional History Center.

Related Materials

Researchers interested in war propaganda may also be interested in the collection of World War I & II posters found in RC 200.

http://archon.lib.niu.edu/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=200&q=&rootcontentid=25048#id25048