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Frederick "Fritz" Becker scrapbook

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_P0661

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a photograph album with portraits of fellow soldiers and locations in the areas of service during 1944-1945. Also included is a printed copy of the combat diary of a co-officer, Eugene W. Bates, detailing daily life and events towards the end of World War 2 in Europe. Appendices include a summary of the 18th Field Artillery Battalion, written by Capt. Carl A. Reid, and several documents relating to the history of artillery used by the US Army in WW2.

Dates

  • Creation: 1944-1945

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on access, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Frederick "Fritz" Becker scrapbook must be obtained from the Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Section Head.

Biographical / Historical

Frederick "Fritz" Carruth Becker (1920-1954) was the youngest child of Albert Ernest and Nell Carruth Becker. Albert served as vice‑president — and later president — of the Becker Products Company (formerly Becker Brewing & Malting Company) in Ogden, which had weathered Prohibition and remained the only functioning Utah brewery during that era. Frederick served in the U.S. military during World War II as a 1st Lieutenant in the 18th Field Artillery Battalion, which participated in campaigns like Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, and Central Europe. His military records indicate he was awarded a Purple Heart for his service. Frederick married Marjorie Kathleen Jacobson in 1943 and together they had four children, Kurt, Albert, Karen, and Frieda. After the war, he joined the family brewing business. Tragically, Frederick died in January 1954 at just 33 years of age, and was buried in Ogden, Utah.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

WWII scrapbook of Frederick "Fritz" Becker, 18th FA Battalion. Also included is a printed combat diary of fellow soldier Lieut. Eugene W. Bates.

Arrangement

Photographs remain in the album as it was originally created. Any captions are noted in the titles of the photographs. Several empty spaces indicate photographs removed prior to donation.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials were donated to USU Special Collections and Archives in 2019 by Karen Becker Edson, Frederick's daughter.

Related Materials

Becker Family photographs, P0751

Becker Brewing and Malting Company records, CAINE COLL MSS 31

Title
Guide to the Frederick "Fritz" Becker scrapbook
Author
Finding aid created by Heather Housley and Dan Davis
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)