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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

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 11, 1945

  • Date: May 11, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 10, 1945

  • Date: May 10, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 9, 1945

  • Date: May 9, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 7, 1945

  • Date: May 7, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 6, 1945

  • Date: May 6, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 4, 1945

  • Date: May 4, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Postcard from Germany

  • Date: May 3, 1945
  • Format: postcard

Clarence Williams' Belongings

  • Date: May 3, 1945
  • Format: object

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 3, 1945

  • Date: May 3, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 2, 1945

  • Date: May 2, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Clarence Williams at Kirchbikel

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

Postcard from Germany

  • Date: May 1945
  • Format: postcard

Clarence Williams Portrait

  • Date: May 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 1, 1945

  • Date: May 1, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 30, 1945

  • Date: April 30, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 28, 1945

  • Date: April 28, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 26, 1945

  • Date: April 26, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 25, 1945

  • Date: April 25, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 23, 1945

  • Date: April 23, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 22, 1945

  • Date: April 22, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 21, 1945

  • Date: April 21, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 19, 1945

  • Date: April 19, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 18, 1945

  • Date: April 18, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 16, 1945

  • Date: April 16, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 15, 1945

  • Date: April 15, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Newspaper Headline

  • Date: April 13, 1945
  • Creator(s): The Stars and Stripes
  • Format: object

Newspaper Headline

  • Date: April 13, 1945
  • Creator(s): The Stars and Stripes
  • Format: object

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 13, 1945

  • Date: April 13, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 12, 1945

  • Date: April 12, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Postcard from Worms, Germany

  • Date: April 11, 1945
  • Format: postcard

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 11, 1945

  • Date: April 11, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 9, 1945

  • Date: April 9, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 8, 1945

  • Date: April 8, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 6, 1945

  • Date: April 6, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 6, 1945

  • Date: April 6, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 4, 1945

  • Date: April 4, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 4, 1945

  • Date: April 4, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, April 2, 1945

  • Date: April 2, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 30, 1945

  • Date: March 30, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 30, 1945

  • Date: March 30, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 28, 1945

  • Date: March 28, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 27, 1945

  • Date: March 27, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 25, 1945

  • Date: March 25, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 24, 1945

  • Date: March 24, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 22, 1945

  • Date: March 22, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 21, 1945

  • Date: March 21, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 20, 1945

  • Date: March 20, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 19, 1945

  • Date: March 19, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 18, 1945

  • Date: March 18, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, March 16, 1945

  • Date: March 16, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter
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