Walter L. Smith Papers 1934-1986

Summary
Contents
Names/subjects
Using these materials
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.
Creator
Smith, Walter Little, 1914-2007
Size
3.3 linear feet (2 boxes, 2 legal boxes, 1 flat box, and 1 flat folder)
Call number
MC 00637
Access to materials

Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.

The Walter L. Smith Papers, 1934-1986, contain speeches, minutes, correspondence, programs, a scrapbook, a diary, memos, lists, newsclippings, photographs, and memorabilia from Smith's military service in World War II and his involvement with NC State University. The scrapbook is titled "The Success Story of A. E. Finley."

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Walter Little Smith (1914-2007) graduated from North Carolina State College in July 1935 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering (aeronautical option). During World War II, Smith served in the U.S. Army. He became a lieutenant colonel and was Chief of the Supply Division, Engineering Section, Advance Section Communications Zone (ADSEC). He helped set up the Engineering Section in France beginning on 9 June 1944 as part of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Smith served several years on the building committee for what was then North Carolina State College. When the Board of Governors for the UNC System was formed in 1971, individual Boards of Trustees were formed for each campus as well. Smith was appointed to the NC State University Board of Trustees, and served on the board from 1972 to 1981. NC State University awarded Smith the Watauga Medal in 1983 for his service to the school.

Biographical/historical note

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Walter Little Smith (1914-2007) graduated from North Carolina State College in July 1935 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering (aeronautical option).

During World War II, Smith served in the U.S. Army. He became a lieutenant colonel and was Chief of the Supply Division, Engineering Section, Advance Section Communications Zone (ADSEC). He helped set up the Engineering Section in France beginning on 9 June 1944 as part of the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

Smith served several years on the building committee for what was then North Carolina State College. When the Board of Governors for the UNC System was formed in 1971, individual Boards of Trustees were formed for each campus as well. Smith was appointed to the NC State University Board of Trustees, and served on the board from 1972 to 1981. NC State University awarded Smith the Watauga Medal in 1983 for his service to the school.

Smith also served on the board of directors of the Research Traingle Foundation and on the board of direcctors of the North Carolina Children's Orthopedia Hospital in Gastonia, North Carolina. He was president of Foresmith, Inc. in Charlotte, North Carolina as well.

Mr. Smith died on September 3, 2007.

Scope/content

The Walter L. Smith Papers, 1934-1986, contain speeches, minutes, correspondence, programs, a scrapbook, a diary, memos, lists, newsclippings, photographs, and memorabilia from Smith's military service in World War II and his involvement with NC State University. The scrapbook is titled "The Success Story of A. E. Finley."

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in two series: 1) NC State University Papers and Memorabilia and 2) World War II Papers.

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Walter L. Smith Papers, MC 00637, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Source of acquisition

Gift of Sally A. Smith, 2018 (Accession 2018.0013).

Processing information

Processed by: Todd Kosmerick, 2018 January; machine-readable finding aid by: Todd Kosmerick, 2018 January; reprocessed by: Carrie Wilson, 2021 July; updated by: Carrie Wilson, 2021 July.

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

The collection is organized into two principal series:

NC State University Papers and Memorabilia (1)
Board of Trustees Minutes, Memos, and Legislation 1972-1975
Box 1, Folder 1
Remarks to General Assembly 1971
Box 1, Folder 2
Board of Trustees Minutes (1 of 3) 1974-1975, circa 1980
Box 1, Folder 3
Board of Trustees Minutes (2 of 3) 1976
Box 1, Folder 4
Board of Trustees Minutes (3 of 3) 1975-1978
Box 1, Folder 5
NC State University Trustee Newsletter 1980
Box 1, Folder 6
Letters 1973, 1975
Box 1, Folder 7
News and Observer Personal Reference File 1975
Box 1, Folder 8
Board of Trustees Agendas 1977-1981
Box 1, Folder 9
Board of Trustees Movements 1976-1980
Box 1, Folder 10
Financial Reports 1980
Box 1, Folder 11
Craftsman Printing Company Notepad 1973
Box 1, Folder 12
Blythe Brothers Company Employment Policy 1965
Box 1, Folder 13
Football Pamphlet 1980
Box 1, Folder 14
Albert Earle Finley Golf Scholarship 1977
Box 1, Folder 15
NC State Alumni News, Vol. VII, No. 9 1935
Box 1, Folder 16
Playing Cards undated
Box 1, Folder 17
Bowtie undated
Box 1, Folder 18
Wolfpack Club Vanity Plate undated
Box 1, Folder 19
Board of Trustees Photographs 1972
Box 1, Folder 20
Newspaper Clippings 1972-1977
Legal box 2, Folder 1
Merit Scholars Program Pamphlet 1980
Legal box 2, Folder 2
Program for the installation of Dean Wallace Colvard as First Chancellor of UNC Charlotte 1967
Legal box 2, Folder 3
Fall Enrollment Projections 1979
Legal box 2, Folder 4
The Success Story of A. E. Finley 1965, 1986
Flat box 3, Folder 1
Loose Items from The Success Story of A.E. Finley 1940, 1986
Box 4, Folder 9
Military Career and World War II Papers (2)
Letters circa 1935-1937, 1945
Box 4, Folder 1
World War II Diary of Omaha Landings circa 1943-1946
Box 4, Folder 2
Advance Section Engineer Report on German Coal Mine Operations 1945

In addition to the report, this book contains photos and maps relating to its contents.

Box 4, Folder 3
Supply Division Papers circa 1945

Inventory, roster, and suggested monthly after action report from engineer supply division.

Box 4, Folder 4
Thanksgiving 1936 at Fort Sam 1936

Roster of Company "C" Twenty-Third Infantry at Fort Sam in Houston, Texas.

Box 4, Folder 5
Official Courtesy and Customs of Service 1934
Box 4, Folder 6
Newspaper Clipping 1940

Engagement announcements for Miss Helen Hurley Blalock to William V. Grickis and Miss Henrietta Ramos to Robert Reynolds Anderson, Jr.

Box 4, Folder 7
The Officer's Guide 1943

This is the 9th edition of this guide, which was published by the Military Service Publishing Company of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The subtitle is "A Ready Reference on Customs and Correct Procedures Which Pertain to Commissioned Officers of the Army of the United States."

Box 4, Folder 8
Photo Journal of France, Belgium, and Germany circa 1944

This photo journal contains printed photographs of steel mills and construction projects. They are all in black and white, and some feature views from aboard ships or depictions of workers.

Legal box 2, Folder 5
Army Personal File 1944-1945
Legal box 2, Folder 6
Addresses and Rosters circa 1945
Legal box 2, Folder 7
Letter from E. F. Mathews 1945
Legal box 2, Folder 8
West Point Papers and The Pointer Magazine circa 1935-1939
Legal box 2, Folder 9
Plebe System Speeches undated
Legal box 5, Folder 1
Maps circa 1959

Contains a map of the moon, a map of Asia, and a map of the United States.

Legal box 5, Folder 2
Margin for Error Advertisement undated
Legal box 5, Folder 3
Activities Report of Engineer Section, Advance Section Communications Zone 1944-1945

This report was published for the European Theatre of Operations and includes information dating from 7 February 1944 to 30 June 1945. It contains information regarding intelligence, maps, port reconstruction, railroads, coal mining, and supplies. The box in which it is contained has "History of ADSEC WWII" written in pen on the front.

Legal box 5, Folder 4
The Sphinx 1945

This yearbook was published by The Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

Legal box 5, Folder 5
Engineer tonnage allocations charts 14 May 1944

After review, access to the digital copies may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.

The Special Collections Research Center, NC State University Libraries, has digital copies of some or all of these materials.

Flat folder 1
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

Access to the collection

Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.

For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.

Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111

Phone: (919) 515-2273

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Walter L. Smith Papers, MC 00637, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.