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Finding aid in repository
This collection has been left in its original physical order, but is intellectually arranged in three series. Although a broad distinction has been made between documents related to general military operations and those related to Levy personally, most of Levy's personal papers also reflect on or relate to his time in the military. Arranged in 3 series.
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Much of the collection is drawn from scrapbooks kept by Lt. Col. Robert J. Levy during his period of military service in the U.S. Army. Consisting primarily of administrative and personal documentation, Levy's papers focus mainly on his time as Liaison Officer from General Dwight David Eisenhower to General Charles de Gaulle (1944-1945). The collection also contains ephemera and personal mementos from this time, as well as related correspondence both during and after Levy's service, including a brief correspondence with Eisenhower (1968) regarding Eisenhower's position on the war in Vietnam.
The strength of the papers lies in their documentation of events of World War II from the perspective of someone positioned close to the major historical players. Included in the collection are not only restricted communiques between de Gaulle and the Allies, but also opinions about de Gaulle himself and the effect of the war on the mood and cultural attitudes of the French people, notably an increase in anti-Semitic feeling. The collection also provides a snapshot of daily events through rosters, correspondence, and daily orders. The collection also contains manuscript drafts and notes detailing Levy's experiences with and perspectives on de Gaulle.
The material type of the collection is mixed. Many items in the collection were once or are still mounted to scrapbook pages.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Robert J. Levy papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Source of acquisition--Levy, Robert J. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1969. Accession number--M-69.
Robert J. Levy was born on August 31, 1902, in New Orleans, LA. He was raised in New Orleans and attended one year at Tulane University before transferring to Harvard University, from which he earned his A.B. degree in English and Economics in 1923. In 1927, he married Rebecca Claire Shwartz (b. 1902), also of New Orleans, with whom he had one daughter, Ann Patricia Levy.
A resident of New York City from 1935, Levy traveled often to Washington D.C. as a business analyst and financial expert, serving as Head Administrative Officer and Business Head C.A.F. for the Office of the Board of Economic Welfare and Office of Price Administration Industrial Manufacturing Division (January-July 1943) and Head Administrative Officer of the Board of Economic Warfare (rubber development and procurement). Levy also served as a Senior Partner in his family's financial firm starting in 1932, a position which he retained while overseas during World War II, until 1951.
Levy traveled throughout Europe as an officer with the U.S. Army, and in 1944 and 1945 served as Liaison Officer from General Dwight David Eisenhower to General Charles de Gaulle and Liaison Officer to General Alphonse Juin, Chief of Staff for National Defense (France) for the Supreme Headquarters American Expeditionary Forces (S.H.A.E.F.) Mission to France. Levy also represented S.H.A.E.F. as member secretariat of the four party committee (United States, France, United Kingdom, and S.H.A.E.F.). For his service, Levy was awarded a E.A.M.E. Theater Ribbon with 1 star, World War II Victory Medal, and Croix de Guerre with Palm (France) and received the French Legion of Honor (Chevalier) and Order of the British Empire (Degree Officer).
Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 07/--/89.
Papers processed by Kellie Walsh (Rutgers University, 2012).
Finding aid written by Kellie Walsh (Rutgers University, 2012) March 2011.
No additions are expected
Collection is processed to folder level.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
This series consists of correspondence, reports, rosters, and similar documents related to the military operations of the Allied Forces circa 1940s. Much of the documentation centers around the time leading up to and following the liberation of Paris from German forces. The series also contains instructional printed material and first-hand accounts of events written by Levy.
This subseries consists of rosters of French, British, and American officers and of records related to daily military occurrences and events, including daily orders, details of correspondence and reports, troop and supply movements, ceremonies, and personnel issues.
This subseries consists of long- and short-form correspondence, communiqués, and reports. Most of the correspondence is addressed to and/or from de Gaulle, Eisenhower, and S.H.A.E.F. and dated in the months after the liberation of France (August-November 1944). Many of the documents are labeled "secret" or "restricted."
This subseries contains military instructional guide books. It also contains a provisional edition map of France illustrating "Control of Refugees and Displaced Persons" and two identical company rosters from the Military Government School at Fort Custer, one of which is autographed by classmates and teachers.
This series contains documents, printed materials, and realia related to Levy's personal experiences, primarily focusing on his military tour in Europe, 1944-1945.
This series contains personal letters to Levy, primarily dated April 1944-November 1945. It includes correspondence from André Siegfried, political writer and member of the Académie française, and a brief exchange between Levy and Eisenhower regarding Eisenhower's article in
This subseries contains undated handwritten and typed notes and manuscript pages detailing Levy's personal experiences with and perspectives on de Gaulle. A partial manuscript, written by Levy with Noel F. Busch, is titled "Is General DeGaulle Through? --an expert appraisal of an enigmatic hero on whom, the author says, France may soon call again."
This subseries primarily consists of official military correspondence and documentation regarding Levy's military assignments; honors, awards, and commendations; and personal forms and identification cards. Included alongside the commendations are schedules and details regarding military ceremonies held on September 8, 1944 and September 8, 1945. This subseries also contains some non-military documentation, including a personal history statement which provides an overview of Levy's military and non-military careers.
This subseries contains ephemera and personal mementos related to Levy's time in Europe during World War II. Printed materials include theater programs, invitations, and related printed materials for entertainment events and occasions, many of which were diplomatic or military in nature. Realia includes Levy's S.H.A.E.F. uniform patch and a 10 reichsmark note and stamps.
This series contains photographic prints and newspaper clippings, primarily documenting Levy's time in the U.S. Army, circa 1940s. Included are multiple photos of the S.H.A.E.F. plaque dedication ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris (September 8, 1945). Also included: a handkerchief made by French textile manufacturer Marcel Fremaux from cotton delivered from the U.S. to France on the ship