Papers of Milton A. Reckord
Abstract
Milton A. Reckord (1879-1975) was a high-ranking officer in the United States Army and the Maryland National Guard. Reckord was also active in the National Guard Association, the National Rifle Association, and numerous civic organizations. Reckord's papers include personal and military documents tracing his professional career and civilian activities. Included are diaries, official orders, memorabilia, publications, awards, and extensive war-time correspondence with his mother, Lydia Reckord.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
This collection is open for research.
Papers of Milton Reckord, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials policy for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
Milton Atchison Reckord was born in Harford County, Maryland on December 28, 1879, to John and Lydia (Zimmerman) Reckord. Upon graduation from Bel Air High School in 1896, he went to work at his father's milling plant. Following the Spanish-American War in 1898, he expressed a desire to enter military service. His mother, to whom he would write extensively during both World Wars, felt that, at age eighteen, Milton was too young and impressionable to enter the military. Deferring to her wishes, he postponed this move until he was twenty-one. On February 2, 1901, he enlisted as a private in Company D, First Infantry Regiment of the Maryland National Guard. Steadily rising through the ranks, he became a first sergeant in 1902, a captain in 1903, and a major in the First Infantry in 1906. Between June 28 and November 4, 1916, Reckord served on the Mexican border.
In May 1917, President Wilson ordered the entire National Guard into federal service. Reckord entered World War I as a major of the First Maryland Infantry. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 5th Maryland Infantry in less than three months. Upon the organization of the 29th Division, he was transferred to the 115th U. S. Infantry and promoted to colonel on May 1, 1918. He served overseas, commanding the Regiment, between June 15, 1918, and May 24, 1919. In the fall of 1918, the 115th entered the line and fought twenty-one consecutive days in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. At the end of the war, Reckord brought the 115th back to the United States. He was discharged from federal service at Fort Meade, Maryland, on June 26, 1919.
Following World War I, Reckord was appointed colonel, Infantry, Officers' Reserve Corps. Early in 1920, Governor Albert C. Ritchie asked Reckord to serve as the Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard, a post he would hold for close to forty-five years. At this time, he was promoted to brigadier general and, in March 1924, was federally recognized as brigadier general of the Line.
Convinced that the National Guard System was the right system for national defense, Reckord spent the remainder of his long career promoting the interests of the Guard. In June 1920, Secretary of War Baker asked him to serve on the original General Staff (Section 5) Committee. Reckord was especially proud of his work on this committee, which created amendments to the National Defense Act of 1916 and elevated the National Guard from its existence as a purely state force. In 1933, amendments created the National Guard of the United States as a distinct reserve component of the Army. Prior to this time, it had been a state force with federal support. Under the new legislation, the National Guard became both a federal force and an army component.
On April 14, 1934, Reckord was promoted to major general and assumed command of the 29th Division. With the outbreak of World War II, the Division was inducted into federal service on February 3, 1941. General Reckord remained its commander until January 1942. At age sixty-three, General Reckord had exceeded the ceiling age for combat officers. He was assigned to command the stateside Third Corps Area (later the Third Service Area). In this capacity, the general oversaw military-civilian war-related activities, including industrial production. This post was well suited to Reckord's background as a citizen-soldier and drew upon his knowledge of his native Maryland. Serving as commanding general until November 30, 1943, he accomplished the reorganization of this area with minimum disruption.
In 1943, General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, asked Reckord if he wished to stay beyond the age deadline for removal from active service. Having no desire to leave the fray, on December 1, 1943, he accepted an appointment as Theatre Provost Marshal in the European Theatre of Operation. He served in this post until June 1945, spending much of this time in France. With the collapse of Germany, General Reckord was responsible for housing and feeding hundreds of thousands of prisoners of war.
In the summer of 1945, he returned to the United States. In July, he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Staff, War Department, until his discharge from federal service in May of 1946. Serving as the chairman of the Section 5 Committee, General Reckord was instrumental in drafting what came to be known as the "Approved Policies." This document enabled the National Guard to start rebuilding within months of V-J Day. The Section 5 Committee also produced the "Public Law 810" system of retirement for Guardsmen and Reservists, and the 75%-Federal, 25%-State program of armory construction.
Reckord returned to state service as the Adjutant General of Maryland and the Ranking Line Officer on November 1, 1945. On August 19, 1961, Governor Tawes promoted Reckord to lieutenant general. He remained the Ranking Line Officer until his retirement on December 31, 1965, at eighty-six years of age.
During his long military career, General Reckord received numerous decorations and citations. In World War I, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) with citation (April 19, 1919) and the French Croix de Guerre with Pam (March 28, 1919). For service in World War II, General Reckord received the Bronze Star Medal with citation (June 28, 1945); the (British) Knight Commander Order of the Bath (September 5, 1945); two Oak Leaf clusters to his DSM with citations (February 28, 1944, and May 24, 1947); and another French Croix de Guerre (July 31, 1946). Reckord's other World War II medals included the French Legion of Honor; the American Defense Medal; the Victory Medal; the Distinguished Service Medal from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Alabama; and the Distinguished Service Medal of the American Legion. On December 21, 1965, General Paul L. Freeman, Jr., Continental Army Commander, presented Reckord with his third Bronze Oak Leaf cluster to the DSM. Reckord's service to the United States also led to four honorary degrees: three Doctorate of Laws degrees (L.L.D.) from Franklin & Marshall College (1943), the University of Maryland (1944), and Pennsylvania Military College (1944); and a Doctorate of Military Science and Tactics from Western Maryland College (1943). In 1961, the University of Maryland named the newly built armory in his honor.
General Reckord was an active member of the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) for many years. In 1923, he rose to the presidency of NGAUS and served in that capacity until 1925. After World War II, Reckord was chairman of the NGAUS Committee on Legislation. He was chosen the first Life Member of the Executive Council and the first recipient of the NGAUS Distinguished Service Medal. Between 1943 and 1957, NGAUS was under the leadership of Major General Ellard A. Walsh, a longtime correspondent of Reckord.
In his civilian life, General Reckord belonged to many organizations and clubs. He was a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) from 1920 until his death. He was active in the NRA's Executive Council for most of this time and served as Executive Vice President for many years. He was also a member of the Adjutants General Association of the U.S., the 29th Division Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Order of Foreign Wars. Additionally, he served as president of both the Maryland Jockey Club, which owned Pimlico Racetrack, and the Hartford Agricultural and Breeders' Association, which for a time owned Havre de Grace Racetrack. Other memberships included the Masonic Lodge, the Maryland Club, the Army and Navy Club, the Baltimore Country Club, the Advertising Club of Baltimore, and the Racquet Club of Washington, D.C.
In 1910, Reckord married Bessie Payne Roe. The couple had one daughter, Gladys Atchison Reckord. Bessie's death on January 17, 1943, was a great blow to Reckord. His daughter and her husband, H. Frederick Jones, Jr., as well as his work, sustained him through this difficult period. After retirement in 1965, Reckord spent the last nine years of his life with his daughter's family in Ruxton, Maryland. He died on September 8, 1975, at ninety-five years of age.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Papers of Milton A. Reckord include both personal material and professional files from his service as a federal military officer, as the Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard, and as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Rifle Association (NRA). The earliest item in the collection is dated 1851, and the latest is dated 1975. The bulk of the collection is comprised of personal and official documents from World War II and correspondence files from 1955 to 1975. Reckord's interest in the structure and functions of the National Guard and gun control legislation are well represented. The numerous citations, awards, and appointments reflect many years of distinguished service in the United States military.
Materials include personal correspondence; newspaper clippings on the wars and Reckord's career; World War II diaries; official military promotion and assignment orders; contracts and blueprints of National Guard facilities; citations, awards, and honorary degrees; an oral history transcript from 1974; NRA newsletters and meeting minutes; photographs of World War I battlefields and soldiers, military ceremonies, Reckord and other military officers, and Reckord's family members.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
Gladys Jones donated the papers of her father, Milton A. Reckord, to the University of Maryland Libraries in 1976.
Processing Information
Processed by Helen R. Tibbo and Betsy Parkin, Spring 1985. Revised by Leslie P. May, Summer 1986, and Jill F. Reilly, April 2004
Upon initial examination, little order was evident in this collection. Some materials were found in folders, but more than half of the materials were loose. Maintaining as much original order as possible, items were sorted and arranged. Series for family correspondence, the United States Army, the Maryland National Guard, and the National Rifle Association were suggested by Reckord's professional life and the contents of the collection. It appeared Reckord had established two correspondence files, which were arranged in folders labeled A to Z, with some indication of reverse chronological order within the folders. One file primarily contained materials dating from 1950 to 1969 with the other dating from 1970 to 1975. As both correspondence files concerned his post as Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard, Army affairs, the NRA, and personal matters, these were combined to form a single series. Another series was created from photographic materials, most of which were found bundled together in one box apart from the documentary materials. A final series was formed to document the memorabilia.
Jumbled files and materials taken from original folders were sorted into the various series and placed in acid-free folders. Most paper clips and staples were removed, and duplicate items discarded. The photographs, sleeved in Mylar, were removed and placed in the photograph area. At this point, the preliminary collection guide was written.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Jennie A. Levine.
Arrangement of Collection
This collection is organized as eight series:
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Family Correspondence and Personal Documents, 1871-1975 (2 linear feet)
This series includes letters exchanged between Reckord and his mother during World Wars I and II. There is also correspondence between him, his daughter, and his son-in-law during World War II. A group of letters expresses sympathy to Reckord upon the death of his wife, Bessie Payne Roe Reckord, in 1943. Other materials consist of awards, citations, and commission appointments; biographical data; the Reckord family coat of arms; deeds to family land in Harford County, Maryland; material relating to the Maryland Jockey Club; newspaper clippings; Reckord's retirement diary, begun on January 1, 1966; and obituaries marking Reckord's death on September 8, 1975.
Arrangement is alphabetical by folder. The original unsystematic order has been kept within folders.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biographical and Personal Data, 1896, 1941, 1949, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1961 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Commissions and Appointments (non-military) (Includes Oversize), 1938 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Deed for "Morgan's Lot" and "Ranger's Range", 1871 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Deed for "Morgan's Lot" and "Ranger's Range" and Receipt for Burial, 1883, 1885 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Deed to Bel Air land, 1958 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Maryland Jockey Club, 1905, 1951 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Miscellaneous, 1935, 1941, 1943, 1945, 1959-1962, 1964, 1967-1968, 1971, 1975, n.d. | series 1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| "Nerves, Emotions, and Your Health" and other booklets, n.d. | series 1 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Newspaper Clippings, 1922, 1933, 1935, 1941, 1945, 1951, 1955, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1974 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Newspaper Clippings, 1922, 1933, 1935, 1941, 1945, 1951, 1955, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1974 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Newspapers, 1965-1966, 1968, 1971 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Obituaries, Notices, etc., General Milton A. Reckord, 1975-1976 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Personal Account Book, 1966-1974 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Personal Correspondence -- Gladys (Reckord) Jones, 1944-1945, n.d. | series 1 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Personal Correspondence -- Jones Family, 1943-1944, 1956, 1962, 1975, n.d. | series 1 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Personal Correspondence -- Leland Reckord to Lydia Reckord, 1918-1919 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| Personal Correspondence -- Lydia Reckord to Milton Reckord, 1918, 1935, 1943-1944 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| Personal Correspondence -- Lydia Reckord to Milton Reckord, 1918, 1935, 1943-1944 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
| Personal Correspondence -- Milton Reckord to Lydia Reckord, 1918-1919, 1924, 1944-1945 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
| Personal Correspondence -- Milton Reckord to Lydia Reckord, 1918-1919, 1924, 1944-1945 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| Personal Correspondence -- Milton Reckord to Lydia Reckord, 1918-1919, 1924, 1944-1945 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 8 | |
| Personal Correspondence -- Milton Reckord to Lydia Reckord, 1918-1919, 1924, 1944-1945 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 9 | |
| Miscellaneous, 1938-1974, n.d. | series 1 | box 2 | folder 10 | |
| Plat of Bel Air Land (Oversize), 1958 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 11 | |
| Pure Words, 1890 | series 1 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| Reckord Family Coat of Arms Report, 1974 | series 1 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| Reelection of Governor William Preston Lane, Jr., [1950?] | series 1 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
| Resolution of Condolence, 1975 | series 1 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| Retirement, 1965-1966 | series 1 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- A, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- B, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 3 | folder 7 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- C, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 3 | folder 8 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- D, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 3 | folder 9 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- E, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 3 | folder 10 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- F, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 3 | folder 11 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- G, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 3 | folder 12 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- H, I, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 3 | folder 13 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- J, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 3 | folder 14 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- K, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 3 | folder 15 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- L, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 3 | folder 16 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- M, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 4 | folder 1 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- N, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 4 | folder 2 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- N, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 4 | folder 3 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- O, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 4 | folder 4 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- P, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 4 | folder 5 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- R, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 4 | folder 6 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- S, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 4 | folder 7 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- T, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 4 | folder 8 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- U, V, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 4 | folder 9 | |
| Sympathy Notes -- W, Z, 1943, n.d. | series 1 | box 4 | folder 10 | |
| Sympathy Notes, Flowers for Bessie R. ReckorD -- Acknowledgments, 1943 | series 1 | box 4 | folder 11 | |
| Wills, n.d. | series 1 | box 4 | folder 12 | |
Series 2: United States Army, 1918-1965 (1 linear foot)
In this series, materials document Reckord's federal military career. These include the orders appointing him as Provost Marshal of the European Theatre of Operations; diaries kept during World War II; the manual of duties of U.S. Provost Marshals; newspaper clippings; details of the organization and command of U.S. forces; daily prisoner of war reports; the General's service record and discharge; and materials related to his retirement, such as pension claims. There are also a commemorative book, 115 Infantry: In the World War, describing the activities of the infantry regiment Reckord commanded in World War I; a similar volume for the 29th Division in World War II, Twenty Nine: Let's Go; another book, 6 June, 1944-1969: Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Landing at Omaha, Utah Beaches and South of France; and General Marshall's report, Winning the War in Europe and the Pacific.
Arrangement is alphabetical by folder. Arrangement within folders is chronological.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appointment as Provost Marshall of the European Theatre, World War II Correspondence, 1943 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 1 | |
| Appointment as Provost Marshall, World War II, Letters of Congratulation, 1943 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 2 | |
| Army-National GuarD -- Allotment of Troops, n.d. | series 2 | box 5 | folder 3 | |
| Daily Prisoner of War Reports, 1944-1945 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 4 | |
| Daily Prisoner of War Reports, 1944-1945 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 5 | |
| Diaries, 1941, 1942, n.d. | series 2 | box 5 | folder 6 | |
| Diaries, 1943, 1944, [1945?], 1946 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 7 | |
| Army Officer's Notebook, 1943-1945 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 8 | |
| Drawing of the 29th Division, France, Let's Go, Twentieth (Oversize), June 1944-January 1945 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 9 | |
| Duties of Provost Marshall, Field Army in Combat Zones, 1943 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 10 | |
| Federal Service Discharge, 1950 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 11 | |
| General Staff Correspondence, 1945 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 12 | |
| Twenty-Nine Let's Go (Oversize), n.d. | series 2 | box 5 | folder 13 | |
| Newspaper Clippings, 1943, 1972-[1974] | series 2 | box 5 | folder 14 | |
| Notebook -- World War I, 1917 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 1 | |
| "115th" Infantry in the World War, 1920 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 2 | |
| Orders, 1943-1945 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 3 | |
| Organization and Command of U.S. Forces (secret), 1943-1944, n.d. | series 2 | box 6 | folder 4 | |
| Prisoner of War Procedures -- U.S. Army, 1944-1945 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 5 | |
| Provost Marshall Conference, 1944 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 6 | |
| Provost Marshall, P.B.S. Secret Section XII | series 2 | box 6 | folder 7 | |
| Retirement from Active Service -- Follow-up, n.d. | series 2 | box 6 | folder 8 | |
| Retirement from Active Service -- Follow-up, 1946-1953 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 9 | |
| Separation Record [and] Miscellaneous, 1946-1953 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 10 | |
| Service Record and Military History, 1945-1946 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 11 | |
| Sketches of the 17th Army Corps (French) (Oversize), 1965 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 12 | |
| 25th Anniversary of the Landing at Omaha, Utah Beaches and the South of France, 1918 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 13 | |
| "The Winning of the War in Europe and the Pacific," General Marshall's Report, June 6, 1944-1969 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 14 | |
| World War I -- Discharge, 1943-1945 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 15 | |
| World War I -- Leaves, Citations, Correspondence, 1919 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 16 | |
| World War II -- Leaves and Correspondence (Oversize), 1919-1921, 1937, 1944 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 17 | |
| Scrapbook, 1945 | series 2 | box 7 | folder 1 | |
Series 3: Correspondence, 1928-1975 (3 linear feet)
This series is composed of correspondence related to Record's professional and volunteer activities, particularly U.S. Army affairs, the National Guard Association of the United States, Reckord's post as Adjutant General of Maryland, and the National Rifle Association. Some letters and cards relate to personal matters such as birthdays and holidays.
Originally, two files existed, but they were combined, as one seemed to be the chronological continuation of the other. Maintaining the original filing system, letters and replies have been kept in folders marked A to Z, with chronological order used for more precise arrangement. Most materials have been arranged by the correspondent's last name, but some were filed by subject. There are also a few folders containing correspondence of just one person or on one subject.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Correspondence -- A, 1949, 1952, 1959, 1963-1968 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence -- B, 1950-1953, 1958-1970 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 2 | |
| Correspondence -- C, 1958-1960, 1962-1964, 1965-1975, n.d. | series 3 | box 7 | folder 3 | |
| Correspondence -- C, 1958-1960, 1962-1964, 1965-1975, n.d. | series 3 | box 7 | folder 4 | |
| Correspondence -- D, 1963-1965, 1968, 1971, 1974 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 5 | |
| Correspondence -- E, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1962-1966 | series 3 | box 7 | folder 6 | |
| Correspondence -- F, 1947, 1953, 1958, 1962-1967, 1970, n.d. | series 3 | box 7 | folder 7 | |
| Correspondence -- G, 1949-1950, 1953-1955, 1960-1971, 1973-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 8 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence -- G, 1949-1950, 1953-1955, 1960-1971, 1973-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 8 | folder 2 | |
| Correspondence -- H, 1935, 1944-1948, 1954, 1957, 1959-1961, 1963-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 8 | folder 3 | |
| Correspondence -- H, 1935, 1944-1948, 1954, 1957, 1959-1961, 1963-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 8 | folder 4 | |
| Correspondence -- I, 1963-1965, 1968 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 5 | |
| Correspondence -- J, 1949-1952, 1959, 1963-1967, 1969 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 6 | |
| Correspondence -- The John F. Kennedy Library Fund, 1964 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 7 | |
| Correspondence -- K, 1950, 1955, 1958, 1963-1965, 1967-1970 | series 3 | box 8 | folder 8 | |
| Correspondence -- Kinnear, John E. (with Mrs. Hazel W. Schofield, mother), 1961-1963 | series 3 | box 9 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence -- L, 1946, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1963-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 9 | folder 2 | |
| Correspondence -- L, 1946, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1963-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 9 | folder 3 | |
| Correspondence -- M, 1925, 1935, 1943, 1948-1951, 1953-1955, 1957-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 9 | folder 4 | |
| Correspondence -- M, 1925, 1935, 1943, 1948-1951, 1953-1955, 1957-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 9 | folder 5 | |
| Correspondence -- M, 1925, 1935, 1943, 1948-1951, 1953-1955, 1957-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 9 | folder 6 | |
| Correspondence -- M, 1925, 1935, 1943, 1948-1951, 1953-1955, 1957-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 9 | folder 7 | |
| Correspondence -- Mc, 1958, 1960, 1962-1965, 1967, 1971-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 9 | folder 8 | |
| Correspondence -- McComas, Mrs. Mabel R., 1961-1963 | series 3 | box 9 | folder 9 | |
| Correspondence -- Mauler, Pfc. David Lee, 1952-1955, 1960, 1967 | series 3 | box 9 | folder 10 | |
| Correspondence -- Miscellaneous, 1946, 1962 | series 3 | box 9 | folder 11 | |
| Correspondence -- N, 1939, 1963-1965, 1967-1968, 1970, 1973-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 9 | folder 12 | |
| Correspondence -- Normandy -- Dedication of American Cemetery, Proposed Memorial, 1959, 1964 | series 3 | box 9 | folder 13 | |
| Correspondence -- O, 1962-1965, 1970, n.d. | series 3 | box 9 | folder 14 | |
| Correspondence -- P, 1928, 1951, 1953, 1958-1961, 1963-1970, n.d. | series 3 | box 10 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence -- P, 1928, 1951, 1953, 1958-1961, 1963-1970, n.d. | series 3 | box 10 | folder 2 | |
| Correspondence -- Q, 1965 | series 3 | box 10 | folder 3 | |
| Correspondence -- R, 1922, 1951, 1953-1955, 1957-1958, 1962-1968, 1970-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 10 | folder 4 | |
| Correspondence -- Retirement from Maryland National Guard, 1965-1966 | series 3 | box 10 | folder 5 | |
| Correspondence -- Retirement from Maryland National Guard, 1965-1966 | series 3 | box 10 | folder 6 | |
| Correspondence -- Retirement from Maryland National Guard, 1965-1966 | series 3 | box 10 | folder 7 | |
| Correspondence -- S, 1943, 1947, 1953, 1955-1959, 1962-1963 | series 3 | box 10 | folder 8 | |
| Correspondence -- S, 1964-1973 | series 3 | box 11 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence -- S, 1964-1973 | series 3 | box 11 | folder 2 | |
| Correspondence -- T, 1948, 1962-1969 | series 3 | box 11 | folder 3 | |
| Correspondence -- U, 1963-1965, 1968 | series 3 | box 11 | folder 4 | |
| Correspondence -- V, 1963-1965, 1971 | series 3 | box 11 | folder 5 | |
| Correspondence -- W, 1935, 1948-1955, 1957-1959, 1961-1974, n.d. | series 3 | box 11 | folder 6 | |
| Correspondence -- Walsh, Major General Ellard A., 1944-1945, 1964, 1966-1971, 1973-1974 | series 3 | box 11 | folder 7 | |
| Correspondence -- Y, 1960, 1963-1964, 1967 | series 3 | box 11 | folder 8 | |
| Correspondence -- Z, 1963-1965 | series 3 | box 11 | folder 9 | |
Series 4: Maryland National Guard, 1931-1975 (2 linear feet)
Included in this series are materials relating to Reckord's duties as Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard and his involvement with the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). Reckord drafted and contributed to documents discussing the structure and functions of the National Guard. Contracts and correspondence on the construction and maintenance of National Guard facilities are included, along with deeds and blueprints for Fort Ritchie (later Camp Ritchie). Reckord retained copies of his speeches and others' speeches from National Guard events. Materials in this series also relate to the Baltimore War Memorial Commission.
Arrangement is alphabetical by folder and chronological within some folders.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air National Guard Regulations 31-01, 39-10, 1953, 1955 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 1 | |
| American Aid to France, 1946-1947 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 2 | |
| Appointment to Lt. General, Maryland National Guard, 1961 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 3 | |
| Approved War Department Policies Relating to Post-War National Guard, 1945 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 4 | |
| Approved War Department Policies Relating to Post-War National Guard--Clarification, 1946 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 5 | |
| Camp/Fort Ritchie Blueprints, n.d. | series 4 | box 12 | folder 6 | |
| Camp/Fort Ritchie Blueprints (Oversize), 1942, 1959, n.d. | series 4 | box 12 | folder 7 | |
| Camp/Fort Ritchie Boundary Lines, 1961, 1968-1970 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 8 | |
| Camp/Fort Ritchie Deeds, 1951, 1968, 1974 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 9 | |
| Camp/Fort Ritchie Deeds -- Correspondence, 1974 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 10 | |
| Construction of Facilities, 1950-1952 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 11 | |
| Construction and Maintenance of Facilities, 1952-1953, 1955, 1957, 1959-1966, n.d. | series 4 | box 12 | folder 12 | |
| Construction and Maintenance of Facilities, 1952-1953, 1955, 1957, 1959-1966, n.d. | series 4 | box 12 | folder 13 | |
| "Let's Look at the Record", 1955 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 14 | |
| National Association for Uniformed Services -- Newsletter, October-November 1973 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 15 | |
| National Defense Act of 1933, [1933] | series 4 | box 12 | folder 16 | |
| National Guard -- U.S.A. Reserve Reorganization Committee, n.d. | series 4 | box 12 | folder 17 | |
| National Association of the United States (NGAUS) Convention--Milton A. Reckord Trophy Awards, 1975 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 18 | |
| National Guard Association of the United States -- Legislative Program, 1975-1976 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 19 | |
| National Guard Association of the United States -- Memos, 1973-1975 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 20 | |
| National Guard Association of the United States -- Memos, 1973-1975 | series 4 | box 12 | folder 21 | |
| National Guard Association of the United States -- Press Service Newsletter, 1974-1975 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 1 | |
| National Guard Association of the United States -- Statement of Policy (booklet), n.d. | series 4 | box 13 | folder 2 | |
| The National Guardsman, 1974 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 3 | |
| National Guard Movement -- Vierville-sur-Mer, France, 1969 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 4 | |
| National Guard Coat of Arms, 115th Infantry, 1968 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 5 | |
| "I am the Guard", [n.d.] | series 4 | box 13 | folder 6 | |
| Plats of Annapolis, Maryland (Oversize), 1951, n.d. | series 4 | box 13 | folder 7 | |
| Proposed National Reserve Plan, 1955 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 8 | |
| The National Reserve Plan -- Statements Concerning HR 2967, 1955 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 9 | |
| The Nation's National Guard (booklets), [n.d.] | series 4 | box 13 | folder 10 | |
| Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial (booklet), 1957 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 11 | |
| Report of Milton A. Reckord to National Guard Association of the United States, 1946 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 12 | |
| Report of the Volunteer Army to the President, [Department of Defense], Secretary of the Army, 1974 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 13 | |
| "Salute to General Reckord", 1965 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 14 | |
| Speeches by Milton A. Reckord, 1923, 1926, 1943, 1953-1956, 1959, n.d. | series 4 | box 13 | folder 15 | |
| Speeches Collected by Milton A. Reckord, 1931, 1935, 1939, 1943, 1953-1956, 1959, 1970 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 16 | |
| Visit of the Queen Mother of England to Annapolis, 1954 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 17 | |
| War Memorial -- Baltimore, 1944-1946 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 18 | |
| War Memorial -- Baltimore, 1962-1966 | series 4 | box 13 | folder 19 | |
Series 5: National Rifle Association, 1971-1975 (0.5 linear foot)
Minutes of National Rifle Association (NRA) meetings comprise the bulk of this series. Reference files, newsletters, memos, and committee reports are also included. The materials cover topics such as NRA activities, gun control, and biographical information on Reckord. An oral history transcript concerning Reckord's involvement with the NRA was produced in 1974.
Arrangement is alphabetical by folder and chronological within each folder.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reckord Biographical File and Vita for National Rifle Association, 1974 | series 5 | box 14 | folder 1 | |
| National Rifle Association (NRA) Committee Reports, 1974-1975 | series 5 | box 14 | folder 2 | |
| General Information, 1974-1975 | series 5 | box 14 | folder 3 | |
| General Information, 1974-1975 | series 5 | box 14 | folder 4 | |
| Gun Control -- Information File, Part I, n.d. | series 5 | box 14 | folder 5 | |
| Gun Control -- Information File, Part II, n.d. | series 5 | box 14 | folder 6 | |
| National Rifle Association -- Minutes of the Board of Trustees, 1974 | series 5 | box 14 | folder 7 | |
| Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Committee, 1974 | series 5 | box 14 | folder 8 | |
| Minutes of the Members Meeting, 1974 | series 5 | box 14 | folder 9 | |
| Oral History -- Milton A. Reckord's Life, 1974 | series 5 | box 14 | folder 10 | |
| Forest History (Model for Oral History), 1974 | series 5 | box 14 | folder 11 | |
| National Rifle Association -- Programme, 1937 | series 5 | box 14 | folder 12 | |
Series 6: Awards and Citations, 1918-1970 (1 linear foot)
Contained in this series are citations and honorary degrees presented to Reckord, dating from World War I to 1970, in appreciation for his military service and civic involvement.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards and Citations (Fred's Diploma) (Oversize), 1919, 1924, 1926, 1927, 1934, 1939, 1942-1945, 1948, 1950, 1961, 1967-1968, 1970 | series 6 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Awards and Citations (Fred's Diploma) (Oversize), 1919, 1924, 1926, 1927, 1934, 1939, 1942-1945, 1948, 1950, 1961, 1967-1968, 1970 | series 6 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
Series 7: Photographs, ca. 1871-1972 (1.5 linear feet)
Photographs reflect Reckord's professional and personal life. The bulk of the photographs were taken during between 1918 and 1970, documenting Reckord's military service in World War I and his military career. Comprising a significant portion of the series are individual and group portraits featuring Reckord, other military officials, and politicians, both in the studio and at various events and ceremonies. A group of photographs document deserted battlefields, routes, and German structures (such as dugouts, observation towers, and headquarters) in France in January 1919. The British Queen Mother's 1954 visit to Maryland and a parade held in Annapolis in her honor are depicted in several photographs. Images of family and friends constitute the remainder of the studio portraits and amateur photographs.
Arrangement is by subject.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World War I, [1918] | series 7 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| World War I, [1918] | series 7 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Reckord Portraits and Reckord with Others, [1917-1969] | series 7 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Pictures of M. A. Reckord (Photo Album), [1871-1971] | series 7 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Portraits of Others (Many Signed), [1918-1950s] | series 7 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Headquarters -- Second Army, [1956] | series 7 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Queen Mother Visit, [1954] | series 7 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Family, [1870s-1970s?] | series 7 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
Series 8: Memorabilia, 1851-1955 (1.5 linear feet)
Included in this series are several plaques awarded to Reckord and a silver medal given to G. Zimmerman.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | Item | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memorabilia | series 8 | box 1 | folder 1 | ||
| Pendant. Presented by the Society for Independent [Preys] to George H. Zimmerman for the best shot. Metal, 2 1/8"x2". Oct. 20, 1851. [Memorabilia Item #415], October 20,1851 | series 8 | box 1 | folder 1 | item 415 | |
| Plaque. Department of Maryland 29th Division Association to General Milton A. Reckord National Commander. 1921-1922. Wooden shield, 6 1/2"x7 1/2". [Memorabilia Item #416], 1921-1922 | series 8 | box 1 | folder 1 | item 416 | |
| Plaque. Department of Maryland 29th Division Association for distinguished service Maj. Gen. Milton A. Reckord, Commanding General. 29th Div. April 14, 1934. January 5, 1942, wooden shield 6 1/2"x7 1/2". [MemorabPlaque. National Rifle Association of America, Washington, DC Executive Council certificate of election to serve Executive Council of the Association for Life. Wooden 12"x10", Oct. 21, 1949. [Memorabilia Item #417], 1934 | series 8 | box 1 | folder 1 | item 417 | |
| Plaque. Department of Maryland 29th Division Association for distinguished service Maj. Gen. Milton A. Reckord, Commanding General. 29th Div. April 14, 1934. January 5, 1942, wooden shield 6 1/2"x7 1/2"., October 21, 1949 | series 8 | box 1 | folder 1 | item 418 | |
| Milton A. Reckord Collection. Plaque. Awarded by the Advertising Club of Baltimore to Maj. Gen. Milton A. Reckord. Wooden 10" by 15", Nov. 16,1955. [Memorabilia Item #419], November 16, 1955 | series 8 | box 1 | folder 1 | item 419 | |
Related Material
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.
Selected Search Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Maryland Libraries' Catalog. Researchers desiring related materials about these topics, names, or places may search the Catalog using these headings.
Subjects
- Maryland -- National Guard -- History -- Sources
- National Rifle Association of America -- History -- Sources
- Reckord, Milton A. -- (Milton Atchison) -- d 1879-1975 -- Archives
- United States -- Army -- History -- Sources
Names (Added Entries)
- Reckord, Lydia