This collection houses correspondence, photographs, and military memorabilia documenting Clifford Edward Keenan's service and death with the 505th Parachute Infantry during World War II.

The bulk of correspondence (including letters, postcards, cards, and V-mail) is written between Keenan and his mother, father, and grandmother between October 1942 and July 1944. Other correspondence includes letters with friends, cards and postcards, military memorabilia, photographs, and photocopies of letters. There is also oversized materials including a framed photograph and some of Keenan's military decorations including a campaign ribbon awarded to soldiers who served in at least one D-Day Invasion event where they were under fire and participated in a naval landing.