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Nimitz Library

Herman George Feydt Papers, 1917-1922: Finding Aid

Published in May 2010

Summary Information

  • Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
  • Publisher Address:
    589 McNair Road
    Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
    Phone: 410-293-6917
    https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php
  • Call number: MS 405
  • Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
  • Title: Herman George Feydt Papers
  • Dates: 1917-1922
  • Size: 0.21 linear feet
  • Container Summary: 1 half-manuscript box containing 127 items
  • Creator: Feydt, Herman George
  • Language(s) of material: English
  • Abstract: Herman George Feydt was a U.S. Naval reservist who served as a boatswain's mate in World War I and as a mail clerk after the war. The Feydt Papers detail his unsuccessful efforts to join the Ensigns Reserve Force, his activity as a mail clerk both on the Nahma and at Lafayette Radio Station in France, and his participation in civic organizations and home front morale efforts.

Biography of Herman George Feydt

A member of the U.S. Naval Reserve Force, Herman George Feydt was mobilized on June 27, 1917. He served as a Boatswain's Mate aboard the subchaser Nahma and acted as the ship's mail clerk, though he may not have been fully authorized to do so. In January of 1918 Feydt requested examination for nomination to the Ensigns Reserve Force, which would have required an 18-month training course at the U.S. Naval Academy. Though he received the commanding officer's strong recommendation and passed the Board of Medical Examiners review, he did not receive approval to attend the training.

From July 1919 through March 1920 Feydt served as mail clerk for Lafayette Radio Station, Croux d' Hins, France.

Feydt owned an automobile business in Waterbury, Connecticut and was active in civic and business organizations in Waterbury and Bridgeport, including the Rotary Club and the American Legion.

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Description of Contents

The Herman George Feydt Papers, comprising 0.21 linear feet of documents, primarily spans Feydt's life from 1917 through 1922, a period in which he served aboard the Nahma and in France. It details his unsuccessful efforts to join the Ensigns Reserve Force, his activity as a mail clerk both on the Nahma and at Lafayette Radio Station in France, and his participation in civic organizations and home front morale efforts. These include Liberty Bond appeals, the Red Cross, the Rotary Club, the American Legion and the Masons.

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Arrangement

  • Series 1: OFFICAL ORDERS, 1917
  • Series 2: U.S.S. NAHMA, 1917-1918
  • Series 3: LAFAYETTE RADIO STATION, 1919-1920
  • Series 4: AWARDS, 1919-1920
  • Series 5: HOME FRONT AND MORALE, 1918-1920
  • Series 6: CIVILIAN AFFILIATIONS, 1918-1922
  • Series 7:CORRESPONDENCE, 1917-1920
  • Series 8: FINANCIAL, 1917-1920
  • Series 9: SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, 1919
  • Series 10: PHOTOGRAPHS, 1917-1922
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Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Herman George Feydt Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

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Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Purchase from Charles Apfelbaum Rare Manuscripts and Archives in June 2008. Accession No. 08-06.

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Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Herman George Feydt Papers, MS 405

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Liz Coelho in May 2010. Finding aid written by Liz Coelho in May 2010.

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Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

  • Feydt, Herman George
  • Nahma (Armed yacht : SP-771)
  • United States. Naval Reserve
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- United States

Genre Terms

  • Manuscripts
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Contents List

Series 1: OFFICIAL ORDERS, 1919 1 folder

Series Description

OFFICIAL ORDERS consists of mobilization orders.

Box 1 Folder 1

Official Orders, 1917

Mobilization orders. Telegram dated June 26, 1917, and official orders dated June 27, 1917 from Third Naval District Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York. Admission card for S.S. New York.

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Series 2: U.S.S. NAHMA, 1917-1918 4 folders

Series Description

U.S.S. NAHMA consists of an article on the Nahma, copies of the poem "The Ballad of the Nahma", a bridge watchstander's instruction letter, documents concerning mail clerk authorization, and documents pertaining to Feydt's nomination to the Ensigns Reserve Force.

Box 1 Folder 2

U.S.S. Nahma Pictorial and Ballard, 1917

Full page pictorial from The New York American of U.S.S. Nahma, dated August 25, 1917. One carbon copy and three printed cards of "Ballad of the Nahma" by R.D. France, USN.

Box 1 Folder 3

U.S.S. Nahma Watchstander's Instruction Letter, Mail Clerk Authorization, and Liberty Chits, 1917

Nahma bridge watchstander's instruction letter, dated November 24, 1917. Documents concerning Feydt's status as a mail clerk, dated August 1917 through March 1918. Liberty chits dated February 3, 1918 and April 18, 1918.

Box 1 Folder 4

Board of Medical Examiners Record of Proceedings for Ensign Reserve Force Nomination, 1918

Proceedings for Ensigns Reserve Force nomination, dated January 7, 1918.

Box 1 Folder 5

Ensign Reserve Force Request, Request for Examination, and Commanding Officer's Letter of Recommendation, 1918

Request by Feydt for examination for Ensigns Reserve Force, dated January 4, 1918. Command request for examination, dated February 18, 1918. Commanding Officer's recommendation, dated March 13, 1918.

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Series 3: LAFAYETTE RADIO STATION, 1919-1920 2 folders

Series Description

LAFAYETTE RADIO STATION contains documents pertaining to the transfer of government property and the purchase of stamps.

Box 1 Folder 6

Transfer of Government Property and Stamp Purchase, 1919-1920

Documents concerning transfer of government property and purchase of stamps.

Box 1 Folder 7

Leave Request, Liberty Pass, 1919

Feydt leave request, dated December 9, 1919. Liberty pass.

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Series 4: AWARDS, 1919-1920 1 folder

Series Description

AWARDS contains documents on Feydt's service awards.

Box 1 Folder 8

Awards, 1919-1920

War Service Chevron, January 17, 1919, Victory Medal, November 13, 1920.

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Series 5: HOME FRONT AND MORALE, 1918-1920 3 folders

Series Description

HOME FRONT AND MORALE contains Liberty Bond Drive appeals, newspaper clippings on the Red Cross and a bawdy poem about the composition of German munitions.

Box 1 Folder 9

Poem on Munitions Manufacture, 1918-1920

Doggerel poem on the use of ladies' urine in the German manufacture of munitions.

Box 1 Folder 10

Liberty Bond Appeals, 1918-1920

Two Liberty Bond Drive appeals entitled "Princes or People?" and "German Efficiency."

Box 1 Folder 11

Red Cross Material, 1918-1920

Newspaper clipping on Red Cross parade. Clipping on Red Cross with quote by Feydt. Cartoon featuring Mrs. Al Odell (sister).

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Series 6: CIVILIAN AFFILIATIONS, 1918-1922 3 folders

Series Description

CIVILIAN AFFILIATIONS contains copies of "The Legionnaire" and letters regarding membership in various civic and fraternal organizations.

Box 1 Folder 12

Copies of "The Legionnaire Paris Post No. 1," 1922

Copies of "The Legionnaire Paris Post No. 1" dated March 1-15, March 15-31, May 15, and September 1, all 1922.

Box 1 Folder 13

Correspondence on Civic Affiliations, 1918-1920

Letter regarding dues from American Legion Paris Post No. 1, dated September 18, 1920. Meeting invitation from Masons, dated May 18, 1918. Red Cross certificate of membership, 1918.

Box 1 Folder 14

Business Cards, 1918-1922

Business cards from Connecticut and France (10).

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Series 7: CORRESPONDENCE, 1917-1920 4 folders

Series Description

CORRESPONDENCE contains a letter of introduction written on Feydt's behalf, a personal letter from the president of the Waterbury, Connecticut Rotary Club and several letters from girlfriends.

Box 1 Folder 15

Correspondence, 1917-1918

Letter of introduction from W.W. Holmes to Captain Frank W. Kellogg, USN, on behalf of Feydt, dated April 14, 1917. Letter to Feydt from George S. Green, Waterbury, CT Rotary Club president, with news of self and mutual friends, dated February 16, 1918.

Box 1 Folder 16

Correspondence, 1919

Letter on heart-shaped papers, from "Ruth." Two letters from "Janet," dated September 3 and September 4, 1919, the first accusing him of not caring, the second apologizing for the first.

Box 1 Folder 17

Wedding Announcement, 1918

Announcement of the marriage of Ethel Dasie Skinner to Dr. Edward Bartlett Allen.

Box 1 Folder 18

Telegrams, 1919-1920

Two telegrams regarding travel arrangements.

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Series 8: FINANCIAL, 1917-1920 1 folder

Series Description

FINANCIAL contains banking statements.

Box 1 Folder 19

Banking Statements, 1917-1920

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Series 9: SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, 1919 1 folder

Series Description

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN is comprised of an article on a German wireless station at Nauen.

Box 1 Folder 20

Scientific American October 18, 1919 - German Wireless Station, 1919 October 18

Article on German wireless station at Nauen from October 18, 1919 issue.

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Series 10: PHOTOGRAPHS, 1917-1922 2 folders

Series Description

PHOTOGRAPHS includes pictures of radio towers in France and informal pictures of family and friends.

Box 1 Folder 21

Photographs - France, 1919-1920

Radio Towers in France (4), unidentified French dignitaries (1), Cathedral at Rheims (2).

Box 1 Folder 22

Photographs - Family and Friends, 1917-1922 (approximate)

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