Gordon John Read Papers (DeKalb)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-258

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The majority of the materials in the Gordon John Read Papers date from 1949 to 1953. Included is correspondence from “Gordy” Read to his parents from January to September 1951 while serving in the Marine Corps. Researchers will find here a scrapbook of materials from Gordon’s boot camp days at Parris Island, South Carolina, and Camp Pendleton, California, photographs relating to Marine Corps activities, and the flag that draped his coffin at the Memorial Service held January 20, 1952. Also of interest are the letters Mr. and Mrs. Read received following Gordon’s death, as well as newspaper accounts relating to Gordon Read. Also found here are class notes, assignments, text books, programs and other publications that belonged to Gordon Read while attending High School in Elgin (1947) and DeKalb (1948-1949), and Northern Illinois State Teachers College (1949-1950). In addition, there are several folders with material relating to his parents Anna and John G. Read. This collection gives voice to the life of an ordinary young man serving his country during the Korean War period. The letters received by his parents, and especially those of Mrs. Marguerite Richardson to Anna Read following Gordon’s death show the feelings of those who struggled with the losses suffered because of this war.

Dates

created: 1930-1994
Other: Date acquired: 10/22/2003

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

Gordon John Read was born December 9, 1930, in Elgin, Illinois, the only child of Anna Irene Romke and John George Read. He attended schools in Elgin until his junior year of high school when the family moved to DeKalb. Following graduation from DeKalb Township High School in 1949, Gordon enrolled at Northern Illinois State Teachers College, also in DeKalb, where he was taking courses in preparation for a career as a dentist. With the outbreak of the conflict in Korea, Gordon Read enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He reported for duty January 22, 1951 and went to Parris Island, South Carolina for Basic Training. In April, Private First Class Read traveled by train to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California for advanced training. In mid-July his regiment boarded a ship for Korea, arriving August 3. On September 22, 1951, just nine months after entering the Marine Corps, Read was killed in action at “Heartbreak Ridge” in eastern Korea. Only 20 years old, he was as assistant automatic rifleman with the First Marine Division at the time of his death. Gordon’s body was returned to the states in January 1952 and a Memorial Service was held January 20, 1952 at the First Lutheran Church in DeKalb, with burial in the Hampshire Center Cemetery. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal posthumously.

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