[Pocket diary belonging to Samuel E. White, circa 1918-1919]

Pocket diary belonging to Samuel E. White, circa 1918-1919. Contains handwritten notes in ink and faded pencil documenting White's military training and service, with daily detailed entries.

White's narrative begins with his enlistment in September 1917 at St. Louis, Missouri; to training in Missouri, Texas, and Nebraska and service at Kelly Field, Texas; and travel to and service in France as a balloon observer. White includes details such as men with whom he trained, traveled, shared tents, and played cards; interactions with convoys and submarines during the overseas journey; experiences of going up in balloons; descriptions of leisure activities and complaints about being delayed from the front; various incidents such as motorcycle and car crashes, an accidental shooting, a barracks fire, numerous air raids and gas alarms; work clearing wires, running telephone lines, supply runs, and balloon observation on the front. Daily entries end on November 22, 1918, with White still in the service and traveling around France by motorcycle.

Additional content includes notes and diagrams on maps and line of fire; expenses; metric conversion values, and a pasted clipping about Captain Jacob L. Milligan becoming acting major of the 140th Missouri Infantry.

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