About Me

Welcome to the 36th Division Archive.

 

     This project sparked in high school when I first learned that my great-grandfather, PFC Delmer C. Koonter, served and was wounded while fighting with the famed 36th Infantry "Texas" Division in France during World War II. Finding many of his original service artifacts in my grandfather's basement, I became infatuated by his story and began intense research to uncover his story and the sacrifices he endured in the quest to free Europe from Nazi domination.

 

     As I grew into a love for history, I became distraight seeing the alarming rate at which we were losing our World War II veterans. Although I never knew my own great-grandfather personally, I realized that the depth and breadth of my research learning his combat experience brought me closer to his story than most are fortunate enough to experience with a living veteran. Seeing how just a few objects could inspire and form a deeper connection, I began devoting much of my time and effort to preserve the stories of other veterans just like him.

 

     Beginning and centering around items from 36th Infantry Division veterans, this collection and project has now expanded to include the stories of veterans from all aspects of American military history, but with a special focus on servicemen and women from my home state of Kentucky. It is my hope that I can continue to preserve the history of our veterans through these precious objects that they leave behind so that the next generation can learn from their lessons, stories, and sacrifices.

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   In 2022 I graduated from Transylvania University summa cum laude with degrees in History and Political Science. While at Transylvania, I received the Ruchman History Award for outstanding contributions to the field of history. I am also a graduate of the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law, magna cum laude. Although law is my profession, history is my passion. 

 

      I hope that this site can encourage, teach, and inspire others to take note of the extreme sacrifices made to preserve our freedom and to provide access to materials that can lead others to learn about their family's part in the greatest conflict our world has ever known.

 

-Alex