Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Audio Recording William M. McConahey, Jr. Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 2nd Battalion, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division; 344th Field Artillery Battalion
- Location of Service: France; Germany; Czechoslovakia; European Theater
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/1026
In the summer of 1945, William McConahey, a physician working with the Occupation forces in Germany, decided to write a memoir of his experiences in the European Theater. He had landed in France on D-Day Plus Two and had seen the casualties of fighting from Normandy through the Battle of the Bulge and beyond. He had also visited a liberated concentration camp at Flossenberg, expressing frustration at not being able to save so many dying prisoners. McConahey's memoir, Battalion Surgeon, wasn't published until 1966, when he was already on the staff of the prestigious Mayo Clinic.
William M. McConahey, Jr. Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayAnticipating D-Day; the scene on Utah Beach. 00:06:50.0 - 00:09:43.0
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PlayDuties of a "battalion surgeon." 00:09:58.0 - 00:16:44.0
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PlayNot carrying a gun; avoiding getting shot at or captured. 00:16:54.0 - 00:19:13.0
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PlayPatton's strengths and weaknesses. 00:23:02.0 - 00:25:53.0
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PlayClose calls with death. 00:26:10.0 - 00:28:23.0
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PlayReleasing tension by writing his memoir; difference between veterans of World War II and Vietnam. 00:29:25.0 - 00:32:42.0
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PlayThe concentration camp at Flossenberg. 00:34:16.0 - 00:35:48.0
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William M. McConahey, Jr. Collection
Interview / Recording
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About this Item
Title
- William M. McConahey, Jr. Collection
Names
- McConahey, William M.
- Mayo Clinic
- McConahey Jr., William M.
Home State
- Minnesota
Headings
- - McConahey Jr., William M.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 2nd Battalion, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division; 344th Field Artillery Battalion
- Location of Service: France; Germany; Czechoslovakia; European Theater
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Dates of Service: 1943-1945
- Entrance into Service: Drafted
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: After the war, veteran joined the Army Reserve and became a Colonel. He was a battalion surgeon in charge of an aid station close behind the front line in Normandy. The doctor joined the staff of the Mayo Clinic after his war-time service.
Materials
- Manuscript: Clippings [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2004-04-23)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2003-02-05)
- Manuscript: Memoirs [2 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 2002)
- Photograph: Digital print [7 items] -- Photograph (collected 1945)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-02-05)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/1026
Cite as
- William M. McConahey, Jr. Collection (AFC/2001/001/1026), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- image
- online text