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Clifford E. Keenan Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2075

  • Staff Only

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.

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

1.5 Linear Feet (3 boxes [1 record, 2 quarter])

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 in 2008.

Related Materials

Many of the letters in this collection have been transcribed and published in book form by 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.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480