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Max Herzog World War II Memorabilia collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS 715
Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center. Forms part of the Houston Jewish History Archive.

Scope and Contents

The collection, spanning 1935-1947, consists of a photo album recording Max Herzog's service in the U.S. Army during World War II. Also included are a telegram informing him of his son's birth in the U.S. and photographs of the young child sent to Max by his wife. Information papers pertaining to discharge from the Army, as well as the discharge papers themselves are included. In addition, there is currency from several of the countries traveled through during Army service, including a U.S. dollar bill signed by the soldiers in Max's unit. His certificate of eligibility for Veteran's benefits, his metal indentification bracelet inscribed with a message from his mother, and a recording sent from Herzog to his wife back home round out the collection. The recording has been digitized.

Dates

  • 1935 - 1947

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research.

Conditions Governing Access

Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish from the Max Herzog World War II Memorabilia Collection must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

The Woodson Research Center use policy is that researchers assume sole responsibility for any infringement of privacy, literary rights, copyrights, or other rights arising from their use of the archival materials. In addition to any restrictions placed by donors, certain kinds of archival materials are restricted for the life of the creator plus 50 years. These materials include, but are not limited to, student grades, transcripts, and any job applications or recommendations.

Biographical / Historical

Max Herzog was born on February 11, 1915 in Joliet, Illinois. When he graduated from high school in Joliet in 1932, Depression conditions led him to pursue his future in Texas where he had relatives. In Houston he met Mayme Bergson on a blind date, and the two later married on March 8, 1942. In October of that year Max was drafted into military service.

During the year he spent time in Hawaii where he recorded photographs of island scenes, as well as of his fellow soldiers. His discharge papers list him as a searchlight crewman in the Asiatic Pacific theater of operations. He received a Philippine Liberation ribbon while in the service and was honorably discharged in October 1945.

While Max was serving overseas, he received a telegram that his wife had given birth to his son in May 1943. It was not until his discharge in 1945 that he first saw his son, Robert. The young boy died at age 8 in 1951. A second son, Alan, had been born in 1947.

Returning to civilian life in Houston, Max worked in the grocery business and owned his own store on Lyons Avenue. He later worked for Bert Wheeler Liquors and remained in Houston until his death on Oct. 20, 1999.

It is noteworthy that Max Herzog's wartime service is memorialized on a banner created at Houston's synagogue, Congregation Beth Jacob. His is one of about 220 names of congregation members or affiliates that are embroidered on the banner begun in 1942 and dedicated in 1945.

Extent

.50 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

The collection, spanning 1935-1947, consists of a photo album recording Max Herzog's service in the U.S. Army during World War II. Also included are a telegram informing him of his son's birth in the U.S. and photographs of the young child sent to Max by his wife. Information papers pertaining to discharge from the Army, as well as the discharge papers themselves are included. In addition, there is currency from several of the countries traveled through during Army service, including a U.S. dollar bill signed by the soldiers in Max's unit. His certificate of eligibility for Veteran's benefits, his metal indentification bracelet inscribed with a message from his mother, and a recording sent from Herzog to his wife back home round out the collection. The recording has been digitized.

Arrangement

The materials in this collection have been arranged in four series as follows:

Series I: Artifacts; Series II: Correspondence; Series III: Military Paperwork; Series IV: Photographs

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Max Herzog WWII memorabilia collection was donated by Max's son, Alan Herzog, in 2018.

Subjects

Record Groups

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Max Herzog World War II Memorabilia Collection, 1935-1947
Status
Completed
Author
Mary Tobin
Date
2018-09-10
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892