George Kass papers

Collection — Container: 01.0528 - Box 1

Identifier: 01.0528

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection pertains to Private First Class George Kass who served with Company E of the 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 1st Division. The collection consists of letters written to and from Kass to his family, particularly his sister Rose Goldblum. Kass’ letters provide detailed accounts of Army life, and Rose’s letters provide a civilian perspective on life and the war. The letters begin after Kass’ enlistment in 1942 and end when he is wounded in action on September 5, 1944.

Dates

Created: 1941-1944
Event: Date acquired: 05/07/2001

Creator

Kass, George, 1909-1988 (Person)
Goldblum, Rose, 1907 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to all researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical or Historical Information

George Kass was born September 21, 1909, in Grodno (or Hrodna), Russia (now Belarus). He graduated from Temple University in 1935 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Prior to his enlistment in 1942, Kass worked for three years as a social worker with the Department of Public Assistance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Kass was inducted on February 10, 1942. He was stationed at Fort George G. Meade for nine days before he was moved to Camp Wheeler, Georgia. At Camp Wheeler, Kass received basic training, which included weekly hikes, daily calisthenics, training in heavy weaponry, and a great deal of marching. In June Kass graduated and then transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia to attend Officer’s Candidate School, which he graduated from on October 2, 1942. Kass was then moved back to Fort Meade and attached to the 304th Infantry Regiment.

In February of 1943, Kass moved to Fort Slocum, New York. On March 5, 1943, Kass left the United States, and he arrived in North Africa on March 19 where he was stationed with the 8th Battalion, 1st Replacement Depot. In May, Kass was assigned to the 18th Infantry Regiment as a rifleman. By July of 1943, he had moved to Sicily. By December he was stationed in England, and by July of 1944, he had been moved to France.

While with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 1st Division, Kass served as a machine gunner, grenadier, and wireman in combat. He participated in campaigns in Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, and Northern France. Kass was wounded in action in Belgium on September 5, 1944, and he returned to the United States on December 25, 1944. Kass was later discharged on April 9, 1947, at the Walter Reed General Hospital (now known as the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center).

Over the course of his service, Kass received several awards, including a Purple Heart, a Distinguished Unit Badge, a Bronze Service Arrowhead, a Good Conduct Medal, a European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, a World War II Victory Medal, and an American Campaign Medal.

Kass passed away on August 9, 1988.