Marvin Golden, Compiler, Diaries
Collection
Collection Number: A&M 3531
Eight five-year diaries by Marvin Golden (born 1900) of West Virginia from 1925-1961 documenting his training and years as a teacher in West Virginia (1925-1942), and his years of service in the U.S. Army in World War II, the Korean War, and beyond (1942-1957). Entries are brief and without depth, highlighting on a daily basis events of significance or interest to the author. The diaries contain over 2500 pages and over 12,000 entries. There is also an Honorable Discharge dated 1-19-1919 evidencing Golden's service in World War I, and an annotated copy of 'Statement of Service for Basic Pay' documenting his total years of military service.
Entries in the 1920s reference Golden's education at West Virginia University, and his teaching junior high school in the West Virginia towns and cities of St. Albans, Sutton, Bower, Cowen, and Fairmont. There are also references to his personal life, including dating, attendance of athletic events and parties, and dancing. Also mentioned are books read and movies seen, chautauquas, his Ford automobile, the Klu Klux Klan, minstrel shows, restaurants, and showboats. Though Golden was periodically hospitalized for eye problems in this period, he records very little regarding diagnoses and treatment. (He does mention using a Victrola to pass the time in the hospital.) On evidence of his diaries, his eye problems do not seem to have significantly encumbered his life.
Entries in the 1930s record Golden's years of teaching in Fairmont. There is reference to his involvement in preparing or rehearsing minstrel shows, and to travel in the western United States, and to Paris and Europe.
Entries in the 1940s are mostly about Golden's military service, recording the outbreak of World War II and the end of his career as a teacher in Fairmont, Golden's induction into the U.S. Army in July 1942 and mobilization to a base in Columbus, Ohio, and then to Camp Sutton in North Carolina. He achieved a series of promotions, including corporal (10-1942), sergeant (12-1942), second lieutenant (5-1943), 1st lieutenant (1-1945), and captain (1-1946). There is a record of day-to-day military life, including extensive class work and drilling in the field, as well as his personal life. He apparently never saw combat during this period.
Entries in the 1950s document Golden's military service during the Korean War and after. He was a leader in a 'station complement' unit in Korea, and was involved with or responsible for a diverse range of duties, including court martials, the motor pool, movement of patients, payroll, prisoners, supplies, vaccinations, and the general management of his military camp or base. There are many references to the weather, and to trips to Japan. After retiring from the military, Golden moved to Hyattsville, Maryland.
English
No special access restriction applies.
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0.4 Linear Feet (Summary: 5 in. (1 document case))
Eight five-year diaries by Marvin Golden (born 1900) of West Virginia from 1925-1961 documenting his training and years as a teacher in West Virginia (1925-1942), and his years of service in the U.S. Army in World War II, the Korean War, and beyond (1942-1957). Entries are brief and without depth, highlighting on a daily basis events of significance or interest to the author. The diaries contain over 2500 pages and over 12,000 entries. There is also an Honorable Discharge dated 1-19-1919 evidencing Golden's service in World War I, and an annotated copy of 'Statement of Service for Basic Pay' documenting his total years of military service.
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Part of the West Virginia and Regional History Center Repository