AV 56 Erwin C. Hostetler Collection

              AV 56
Erwin C. Hostetler Collection
Page 1
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Audiovisual Collections
AV 56
Erwin C. Hostetler Collection
( 1935- 1965)
OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Number:
AV 56
Title:
Erwin C. Hostetler Collection
Creator:
Erwin C. Hostetler
Dates:
1935- 1965
Media:
35 mm slides, safety film negatives, 8 mm moving image film
Quantity:
0.25 Cubic Feet
Location:
Ohio Historical Center
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE COLLECTION
This collection documents the military career of General Erwin C. Hostetler of the Ohio National Guard. Hostetler began his service on October 1, 1923. He was a private in Company M of the 145th Infantry of the 37th Infantry Division. Hostetler served with the 37th in World War II and Korea. He was appointed Adjutant General of Ohio in1963 and served in this position until 1967.
The 37th Infantry Division is an Ohio National Guard division. It received its formal designation and authorization on July 18, 1917. The Division was called up for federal service in World War I and fought with the American Expeditionary Force in France and Belgium. During World War I the Division was predominantly made up of soldiers from Ohio. The 37th was again called up for federal service during World War II and made a name for itself in the South Pacific. While the Division was primarily commanded by Ohioans in World War II, it was necessary to assign troops from other states to the Division to fill the ranks. Hostetler and his fellow soldiers were responsible for clearing the capital city of Manila on Luzon Island in the Philippines of Japanese troops. They also played a major role in the Solomon Islands where they were involved in major battles such as Bougainville and Guadalcanal.
Sources:
37th Infantry Division, “ Buckeye Division”. Paducah, PA. Turner Publishing Company, 1995. [ Call Number: 940.41273 T349]
Frankel, Stanley A. The 37th Infantry Division in World War II. Washington DC. Washington Infantry Journal Press, 1948. [ Call Number: 940.541273 E37f]