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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, April 25, 1945

  • Date: April 25, 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 28, 1945

  • Date: April 28, 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

Clarence Williams at Kirchbikel

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

Clarence Williams Portrait

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

Postcard from Germany

  • Date: May 1945
  • Format: postcard

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, May 2, 1945

  • Date: May 2, 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 4, 1945

  • Date: May 4, 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 7, 1945

  • Date: May 7, 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 10, 1945

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

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

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

Postcard from Wasserburg am Inn

  • Date: May 14, 1945
  • Format: postcard

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 14, 1945

  • Date: May 14, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

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

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

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

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

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 17, 1945

  • Date: May 17, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Castle of Ludwig II, Front View

  • Date: May 27, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph

Castle of Ludwig II, Front Entrance

  • Date: May 27, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph

Castle of Ludwig II, Entrance

  • Date: May 27, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph

Ferry Boat

  • Date: May 27, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph

Lodge Advertisement

  • Date: May 28, 1945
  • Format: advertisement

German Lodge

  • Date: May 28, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph

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

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

Building in Bayrischzell

  • Date: May 29, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 29, 1945

  • Date: May 29, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

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

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

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, May 31, 1945

  • Date: May 31, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

Postcard from Tergernsee

  • Date: June 1945
  • Format: postcard

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

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

German Home

  • Date: June 3, 1945
  • Format: photograph

Clarence Williams Portrait

  • Date: June 3, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: photograph

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

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

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

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

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

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

Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, June 5, 1945

  • Date: June 5, 1945
  • Creator(s): Williams, Clarence
  • Format: letter

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

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