Harold Branton 103d Infantry Division Collection
Scope and Contents
Materials from the 103d Infantry Division during WWII, reunion materials and Harold Branton's book, 103rd Infantry Division: "the trail of the cactus".
Dates
- 1919; circa 1940s-2000s
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Noncirculating; available for research.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).
Biographical / Historical
Harold Matthew Branton was born in Shongaloo, Louisiana, to Marion and Addie Mae Branton on June 13, 1921. He graduated from Shongaloo High School in 1940 and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1943 where he served in the ROTC program as Battalion Commander. Upon his commission as second lieutenant and assignment to combat duties in the United States Army, European Theatre of WWII, he fought bravely as an officer of G Company, 409th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division.
Harold Branton served his country as an infantry officer for twenty-four years. His active duty years spanned WWII, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. Significant assignments during his Army career included: WWII Western European Campaign; Battle of the Bulge and Siegfried Line, Counter Intelligence in Occupied Germany, Korea Reorganized Campaign, Foreign Security in Tokyo, Japan, Coordinator of USA JROTC operations, Asst G1 Berlin Command during the time that the Berlin Wall was erected. Lt. Colonel Branton wrote field manuals for NATO, and later developed strategies and tactics for initial Army Air Assault operations while serving as Projects Officer in Arms Development Command at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.
During his tenure with the US ARMY, Harold Branton received numerous decorations, medals and badges, including three Bronze medals for bravery, Expert and Combat Infantry Badges, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Meritorious Service Medal.
After his military retirement in 1966 as lieutenant colonel senior grade, Harold completed post-graduate coursework in history at the University of Kansas and became a successful real estate broker and insurance salesman in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Kerrville, Texas. He actively supported the American Legion, the Wounded Warriors Program, 103d Infantry Division Association, as well as conservative, political, and Christian organizations.
Extent
14 Cubic Feet (total) : 107.A1
Language of Materials
English
Provenance
Ann Branton
- 103d Infantry Division Association of World War II.
- Albums (Books). Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Audiocassettes. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Awards. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Biographies. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Books. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Camp Howze (Tex.). Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Compact discs. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Designs and plans. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Flags. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Letter. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Map. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Memorabilia. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Military decorations. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Military history. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Military orders. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Newsletters. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Periodicals. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Photographs. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Records (Documents). Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- VHS. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War, 1939-1945. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Harold Branton 103d Infantry Division Collection
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Manuscripts and Photographs Repository
118 College Drive - 5148
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
601.266.4345
