Clifford E. Keenan Papers
The collection is divided into three boxes. The first box houses correspondence (including letters, postcards, cards, and V-mail) written between Private Clifford Keenan and his mother, father, and grandmother between October 1942 and July 1944. The second box contains correspondence with friends, cards and postcards, military memorabilia, photographs, and photocopies of letters. The third box houses such oversized materials as a letter, 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.
Many of these letters have been transcribed and published in book form by Clifford Keenan's younger brother, Hugh Thomas Keenan. This work may be found in MS.3264: World War II Letters of Private Clifford Edward Keenan, 2001.
Dates
- 1942-1944
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
3.75 Linear Feet
Abstract
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.
Biographical/Historical Note
Clifford Edward Keenan was born to Hugh Avery and Jewell Gertrude (Owens) Keenan in Humboldt, Tennessee on August 8, 1920. He was the oldest of three children; his younger brothers were Hugh Thomas (born January 16, 1936) and Joe Thaddeus (born March 5, 1939). After graduating from high school, Clifford Keenan worked briefly for a shoe factory, a filling station, and the Railway Express Office before being drafted into the Army in 1942. He completed his infantry training at Fort Wolters, Texas, and his paratrooper training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Keenan was assigned to Company D of the 1st Battalion of the 505th Parachute Infantry (part of the 82nd All American Airborne Division) and was deployed to Europe. He was killed in action on June 6, 1944 during the D-Day invasion.
Arrangement
This collection consists of three boxes.
Acquisition Note
Hugh T. Keenan donated these papers to the University of Tennessee Libraries, Knoxville, Special Collections on 2008 March 14.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository