World War, 1939-1945

Harry Pells was Jewish businessman in Denver, CO. He owned and operated an insurance agency and was an active marine. Harry Pells enlisted in the Army in both WWI and WWII. He was later involved in veterans’ organizations, such as the Jewish War Veterans and the American Legion where he organized a toy drive that sent over 50,000 toys to Europe. Collection contains personal papers, news clippings, pamphlets and, a newsletter related to Harry Pells from 1918 through 1986.

Collection is broken into 4 sections: Military Records, 1918-1985; Tide of Toys Scrapbook, 1950-1951; Allied Study Tour to Israel and Europe, 1963; and Miscellaneous Papers and Ephemera, 1942-1986.

Tennal recalls his experiences as a Marine assigned to duty in the Pacific region during World War II. He describes his early days in the Marine Corps and becoming a member of the Marine Corps Band. He also details many of the battles and offenses he participated in while fighting the Japanese on islands in the South Pacific, including Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands and Guam, and the effects of the malaria he contracted while stationed there.