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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.


604 items

Wrecked German Equipment (image 3)

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

Wrecked German Equipment (image 2)

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

Wrecked German Equipment (image 1)

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

Wrecked German Equipment

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

Woman Walking

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

A Winter Scene

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

Werthiem, Germany Street Scene

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

Werthiem Germany

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

Werneckathal, France

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

Werneckathal, France

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

Wedding in Hallein, Austria

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

Watson's Elevator

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

Watson at Innsbruck, Austria

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

Watson and Jones

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

Watson and Guistolise

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

Watson and Drake

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

Watson and Drake

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

Waples, Pappy and George

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

Waples and Guistolise

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

Waiting for a Cold One

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

Volleyball at DBS

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

A View of the Countryside

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

View of Salzburg, Austria

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

View of Hallein and the Church

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

A View of DBS

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

A View from the Rear Window

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

A View Across the Valley

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

View Across the Valley

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

View Across the River

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

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: object

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

Vienna Photograph Book

  • Format: photograph

VE Prayer Service (image 2)

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

VE Prayer Service (image 1)

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