Lawrence Meoska Collection
Content Description
The collection consists of photographs, news clippings, and military documents concerning Lawrence McGovern Meoska. Lawrence was born May 26, 1923 to Joe and Blanche Meoska at the family homestead in Firesteel township near Plankinton (S.D.). He attended high school at Plankinton and graduated from Mitchell Business College. Lawrence enlisted in the Marines at age 21 and served in the Pacific during World War II, being honorably discharged on February 2, 1947. He received several military citations including a Purple Heart and Silver Star and served at Iwo Jima with the 5th Amphibian Tractor Battalion. Lawrence died November 16, 2009, in Armour (S.D.). The collection includes studio photographs of Lawrence in uniform, two duplicate photographs (with identification on reverse) of members of the 853rd Platoon, U.S. Marine Corps, San Diego (CA) 1943; military documents concerning Lawrence’s service in WWII, as well as various news clippings and stories concerning Lawrence’s time in the military. Also included is an 8x20 inch panoramic view of members of the Marine Training Detachment, Radio Materiel School, July 1944, Omaha (NE). Archival items were transferred from the Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society collection on Lawrence Meoska (2010-042).
Acquisition Type
Gift
Restrictions Apply
No
Dates
- ca. 1940s
- ca. 2000s
Extent
0.25 Cubic Feet
- Meoska, Lawrence M., 1923-2009
- Military Records Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- News Clippings Subject Source: Local sources
- Photograph Collection -- Manuscript Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Marine Corps Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War, 1939-1945 Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Area. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
