The American Soldier Collaborative Digital Archive

FAIN: PW-253766-17

Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA 24061-2000)
Edward Joseph Khair Gitre (Project Director: July 2016 to May 2019)

A planning project to develop a digital archive of 60,000 survey forms containing personal observations and opinions of soldiers, produced during World War II, gathered by the U.S. War Department and used for the four-volume publication The American Soldier (1949-50).

Our project will make available to scholars and to the public a remarkable collection of written reflections on war and the armed forces by American soldiers who fought in the Second World War. During the conflict, the War Department's Research Branch surveyed approximately half a million service personnel. Respondents were asked about myriad topics, from the effectiveness of training to the preference of fabrics used in uniforms. Service personnel were also provided space to write frankly about their other concerns. Until now, only by visiting the National Archives could one read the 60,000-plus anonymous "free text" captured by the Branch. Virginia Tech and Cornell University will build an online digital archive that reunites the branches’ social scientific data and these free-text responses. We will also provide a tool that will allow students, scholars, and the public to transcribe and analyze digitized free-text responses, so as to render the text searchable and thus accessible.

Media Coverage

Edward Gitre receives XCaliber Award (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Paula Byron
Publication: Virginia Tech News
Date: 4/23/2017
Abstract: Edward Gitre has received the university’s 2017 XCaliber Award. Established in 1996 by the Office of the Provost, the XCaliber Award is presented annually by Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies to recognize individual faculty members or teams of faculty and staff who integrate technology in teaching and learning. The award celebrates innovative, student-centered approaches. Gitre received the award for his development of a history course, HIST 3544, World War II: A Global History. Gitre's course develops digital literacy skills through primary-source-based instruction, while it also contributes to his NEH HCRR-funded project, The American Soldier Collaborative Digital Archive.
URL: https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2017/04/fs-gitre-xcaliber-award.html

Victory in Europe Day to be commemorated with national effort to make available insights of American soldiers during World War II (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Paula Byron
Publication: VT News
Date: 5/1/2018
Abstract: Victory in Europe Day to be commemorated with national effort to make available insights of American soldiers during World War II.
URL: https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2018/05/clahs-american-soldier-project.html

What They Were Thinking: WWII Soldiers' Insights to Become Public Data Base (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Robbie Harris
Publication: Radio IQ WVTF
Date: 5/8/2018
Abstract: NPR spot highlighting public launch of the project on Zooniverse.
URL: http://wvtf.org/post/what-they-were-thinking-wwii-soldiers-insights-become-public-data-base

Understanding the American Soldier: The SSRC and Social Science in World War II (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Rodrigo Ugarte
Publication: Items
Date: 5/8/2018
Abstract: Companion article published by the Social Science Research Council to help promote the public launch of the project on Zooniverse.
URL: https://items.ssrc.org/understanding-the-american-soldier-the-ssrc-and-social-science-in-world-war-ii/?_cldee=YmV5ZXJjaGVuLjFAZ21haWwuY29t&recipientid=contact-be41f918f646e311a360001cc477ec84-ca1700220de84c3faef9b476e7ba182d&esid=dd203560-ff51-e811-80cb-005056ab0bd9

WWII in a new light: Anonymous soldier surveys tell stories of morale, race relations (Media Coverage)
Publication: Stars and Stripes
Date: 5/7/2018
Abstract: Write up of the project to help promote the public launch on Zooniverse.

Victory in Europe Day to be commemorated with national effort to make available insights of American soldiers during World War II (Media Coverage)
Publication: CBS Fox 59, WVNSTV
Date: 5/3/2018
Abstract: Republication of VT Press Release
URL: https://www.wvnstv.com/news/education/victory-in-europe-day-to-be-commemorated-with-national-effort-to-make-available-insights-of-american/1157524658

Victory in Europe Day to be commemorated with national effort to make available insights of American soldiers during World War II (Media Coverage)
Publication: Military News
Date: 5/9/2018
Abstract: Republication of VT Press Release
URL: https://www.militarynews.com/become-a-part-of-history-with-crowdsourced-project-the-american/article_df41427e-52c3-11e8-8cc4-5778c321caf9.html

Victory in Europe Day to be commemorated with national effort to make available insights of American soldiers during World War II (Media Coverage)
Publication: War History Online
Date: 5/6/2018
Abstract: Republication of VT Press Release.
URL: https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/victory-europe-day-commemorated.html

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