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Clarence Williams

Staff Sergeant Clarence Williams was a combat medic assigned to the US 122nd Medical Battalion, 42nd Division (the Rainbow Division) during World War II. Williams deployed to France in January 1945 and was present at the liberation of Dachau concentration camp in April of that year. Williams photographed both the liberation of Dachau and other experiences he had during the war in Europe. Growing up in Crescent and Council Bluffs, Iowa, he eventually settled in Lincoln, Nebraska after the war. Clarence’s collection of photographs and letters between he and his wife, Gretchen, detailing his World War II experiences were made available to the Institute for Holocaust by Clarences son, Dr. Tom Williams. There are instances where Clarence does not use proper English conventions in his descriptions. We have transcribed his writing as it appears in the original text. Hear Clarence's stories directly from his family members.


601 items

For the New Rainbow Solider 42nd Inf. Div.

  • Date: 1944
  • Format: book

Clarence Williams Pay Stub

  • Date: March 31, 1944
  • Format: document
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Otto to Clarence Williams, April 20, 1944

  • Date: April 20, 1944
  • Creator(s): Otto
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Gretchen Williams to Clarence Williams, May 4, 1944

  • Date: May 4, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Gretchen
  • Format: letter

Letter from Viola to Gretchen Williams, May 4, 1944

  • Date: May 4, 1944
  • Creator(s): Viola
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Gretchen Williams to Clarence Williams, May 6, 1944

  • Date: May 6, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Gretchen
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Gretchen Williams to Clarence Williams, May 6, 1944

  • Date: May 6, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Gretchen
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Gretchen Williams to Clarence Williams, May 7, 1944

  • Date: May 7, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Gretchen
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Ada Britten to Clarence Williams, May 15, 1944

  • Date: May 15, 1944
  • Creator(s): Britten, Ada
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Gretchen Williams to Clarence Williams, May 24, 1944

  • Date: May 24, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Gretchen
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Gretchen Williams to Clarence Williams, June 5, 1944

  • Date: June 5, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Gretchen
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Gretchen Williams to Clarence Williams, June 6, 1944

  • Date: June 6, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Gretchen
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Gretchen Williams to Clarence Williams, June 7, 1944

  • Date: June 7, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Gretchen
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Gretchen Williams to Clarence Williams, June 12, 1944

  • Date: June 12, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Gretchen
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Max Hannah to Clarence Williams, June 13, 1944

  • Date: June 13, 1944
  • Creator(s): Hannah, Max
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Gretchen Williams to Clarence Williams, June 13, 1944

  • Date: June 13, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Gretchen
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Gretchen Williams to Clarence Williams, June 14, 1944

  • Date: June 14, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Gretchen
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Clarence Williams Pay Record

  • Date: October 26, 1944
  • Format: document

Clarence Williams' Belongings

  • Date: November 2, 1944
  • Creator(s): Property of U.S. Government
  • Format: object

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, December 22, 1944

  • Date: December 22, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, December 23, 1944

  • Date: December 23, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, December 24, 1944

  • Date: December 24, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, December 26, 1944

  • Date: December 26, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, December 27, 1944

  • Date: December 27, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, December 29, 1944

  • Date: December 29, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Postcard from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, December 29, 1944

  • Date: December 29, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: postcard
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, December 31, 1944

  • Date: December 31, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Postcard from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, December 31, 1944

  • Date: December 31, 1944
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: postcard
  • Source: Clarence Williams Collection, Institute for Holocaust Education

Our Aid Sation

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Werneckathal, France

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Canal in Wertheim, Germany

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Personnel Headquarters

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Watson's Elevator

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Werthiem Germany

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Boat on Chiem Sea

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Castle - Rear Entrance

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Our Enlisted Mens Club

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

A View of the Countryside

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Inside the Castle

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Salzburg, Austria

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Hallein, Austria

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

VE Prayer Service (image 1)

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

A Winter Scene

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Summer View of Our Home

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

The Sky Ride at Innsbruck, Austria

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Barron and Beautlieu

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Volleyball at DBS

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Irving Miller and Max Nussenblatt

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

Dachau Scene Taken by Irv Miller

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska

New German Dachau Mass Grave Found

  • Date: 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph
  • Source: Clarence Williams Photo Album, Institute for Holocaust Education, Omaha, Nebraska
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