Strickler: Lt. General Daniel B. Strickler Collection, 1916-1993

Call number:  MG-29

6 boxes     54 folders, 9 scrapbooks     6 cubic feet

Repository:  LancasterHistory (Organization); PV7

Shelving Location:  Archives South, Side 1

Scope and Content Note: General Strickler was a three star general who served in the Mexican Conflict, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Far East Command in Japan. He was born in Columbia, Pa., educated as a lawyer, and served as Pennsylvania’s Republican Lieutenant Governor from 1947-1950. Collection includes military citations and certificates; correspondence upon election; scrapbooks; documents on speaking engagements, clubs and organizations; and photographs.

The General Daniel B. Strickler Scrapbooks are a collection of nine books that contain newspaper clippings and magazine articles. The scrapbooks detail many segments of Gen. Strickler’s life from his military experiences beginning in 1918; his attendance to Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; and his political endeavors for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The collection pulls together newspaper articles and other materials making a timeline of General Strickler’s achievements. Please see finding aid for details and conditions for access.

Creator:  Strickler, Daniel Bursk (1897-1992)

System of Arrangement:   Boxes 1-6 are organized by subject.

Scrapbooks are organized by volume:

Book 1: Daniel B. Strickler Scrapbook, Military Records, November 1918-February 1933

Book 2: Daniel B. Strickler Scrapbook, [1919-1922]

Book 3: Daniel B. Strickler Scrapbook, October 1923-January 1947

Book 4: Daniel B. Strickler Scrapbook, April 1932-November 1933

Book 5: Daniel B. Strickler Scrapbook, February 1942-September 1975

Book 6: Daniel B. Strickler Scrapbook, March 1945-January 1947

Book 7: Daniel B. Strickler Scrapbook, January 1947-May 1948

Book 8: Daniel B. Strickler Scrapbook, January 1947-October 1950

Book 9: Daniel B. Strickler Scrapbook, January 1958-March 1958

 

Conditions for Access:  No restrictions for Boxes 1-6. Please fill out a call slip for viewing.

Scrapbooks:

Book 1: Please make an appointment with the archivist.

Book 2: Please make an appointment with the archivist.

Book 3: Please fill out a call slip for viewing.

Book 4: Please fill out a call slip for viewing.

Book 5: Please fill out a call slip for viewing.

Book 6: Please fill out a call slip for viewing.

Book 7: Please make an appointment with the archivist.

Book 8: Please fill out a call slip for viewing.

Book 9: Please make an appointment with the archivist.

 

Conditions Governing Reproductions:  Collection may not be photocopied. Please contact Research Staff or Archives Staff with questions.

Language:  English

Administrative/Biographical History:          Daniel Bursk Strickler

Personal Life:  Daniel Bursk Strickler was born on 17 May 1897 in Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  His parents, Calvin Ruby Strickler and Harriet Bursk Strickler, raised him in Columbia. Strickler married Caroline Grace Bolton on 11 October 1924.  Daniel and Caroline Strickler had two children, Nancy Cupper Strickler and Daniel Bursk Strickler, Jr.  Daniel Bursk Strickler, Sr. died on 21 June 1992.

Military Career:  Daniel Strickler enlisted in the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry of the Army National Guard under the command of General Edward C. Shannon as a private on 31 January 1916. By April, Strickler was promoted to corporal and in July was assigned to the Mexican Border Conflict as a sergeant. He soon showed his value as a soldier and leader, and in April of 1917 was elected second lieutenant of Company C of the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry of the Army National Guard.

In September, Strickler was promoted once again to first lieutenant, at the same time that Company C became Company B of the 109th Machine Gun Battalion of the 28th Infantry Division of the United States Army.  His company was deployed to France in September 1917 during World War I.  Strickler served in five French campaigns including the Battle of Argonne Forest, which was when he received his Purple Heart.  He obtained several commissions over the next eleven years including captain in 1918, major in 1922 and lieutenant colonel in 1928.

Just seven years after being promoted to colonel, Strickler was sent to France for a second time.  He was in command of the 28th Division, Infantry Regiment during World War II.  In 1942, he started command with the 109th Unit and then the 110th Unit of the 28th Division.  In June of 1944, Strickler and his men landed at Omaha Beach.  Strickler commanded troops during the Battle of the Bulge in the following December.  He returned to the United States after three years of fighting.

Strickler was presented the honor of brigadier general in March of 1946 and on 24 December 1947, he was promoted to major general.  Strickler remained in the Army and served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.  Afterwards, he served as an advisor for the Army as a diplomat to Korea until his retirement in 1957.  Strickler’s final commission occurred on 8 February 1960 to lieutenant general.  He had been honored many times and received military decorations for valor, heroism, and dedication including three stars.

Education:  Daniel Strickler attended Columbia area public schools until he graduated from Columbia High School in 1916.  He was the captain of the track team, president of the junior and senior class, and a member of the baseball and basketball teams.  Upon his return from World War I in 1918, Strickler enrolled at Cornell University Law School in Ithaca, New York.  He took on many more responsibilities at this stage of his life.  Not only did he receive his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1922, but he was also a member of various organizations, clubs and teams during his three years at Cornell University. He was captain of the track team and a member of the Senior Honor Society.  Strickler was also president of the following organizations: Senior Class, Student Council, Quill and Dagger Society and Alpha Kappa Chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Professional Career:  Daniel Strickler was admitted to the Bar of several courts during the 1920s including Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; Courts of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; Superior Court of Pennsylvania; United States District Court; and United States Supreme Court. He worked with several law firms after obtaining his degree and in 1930, between the births of his two children, he established his own law firm in Lancaster.  His legal career was not much different from his military or educational careers.  He was involved with various professional organizations such as Pennsylvania Bar Association, Lancaster Bar Association, The American Bar Association, the Blackstonian Club of Lancaster, and the Republican Club. Strickler served as Auditor for Lancaster County from 1927 to 1929 and on a Special Counsel for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 1928 to 1930. In 1931, Strickler was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature to serve in the House of Representatives, thus jump-starting his political career.

Political Career:  The political career of Daniel Strickler brought him several new titles including auditor, special counsel member, representative, commissioner, solicitor, committeeman, delegate and lieutenant governor.  He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives during 1931 and 1932, General and Special Sessions. In 1931, Strickler served as the delegate for Pennsylvania at the National Young Republican Conference in Washington, DC.  He was the temporary president of the Young Republican State Committee (YRSC) during 1931 as well. After his temporary appointment, he became an executive committee member of YRSC until 1936 and was also appointed as treasurer from 1934 until 1936.

From April to December of 1932, Strickler became the commissioner of the police department of Lancaster City as a special temporary appointment.  During this time, he was in charge of cleaning up the police department and taking a stand against corruption and crime.  He was a strong prohibitionist and cleaned up the city.  Upon selection, he became the solicitor for Lancaster County, the York-Lancaster Inter-County Bridge Commission, and the Lancaster Municipal Airport from 1933 to 1941.  He also served as the Republican County Committeeman for the 1st Precinct, 6th Ward, in Lancaster City until 1941.  In 1946, Strickler was elected lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, which he fulfilled from 1947 until 1950 when he resigned to serve in the Korean War.

Source of Acquisition:  Gift of Lt. Gen. Daniel B. Strickler, 1980.

Custodial History (Provenance):  Scrapbooks were previously housed in the Scrapbook Collection, Books 1-9.

Accruals:  No further accruals are expected.

Preferred Citation:  Collection title (MG-#), Series #, Box #, Folder #, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pa.

Related Materials:

Located in Lancaster County Historical Society library:

Distinguished Military Men: Word Portraits of Eight of Columbia’s Finest, by Wayne Von Stetten, Call No. 923.5 V945

Coming of Age in Columbia, by Daniel Bursk Strickler, Call No. 905.748 SM (Oct. 1981)

Memoirs of Lieutenant Governor, Lieutenant General Daniel Bursk Strickler, by Daniel Bursk Strickler, Call No. 923.5 S917

Lancaster Law Library Association, by Daniel Bursk Strickler, esq., Call No. 974.9 L245 v. 39

Soul of America, by Daniel Bursk Strickler, Call No. 974.9 L245 v. 71

Daniel B. Strickler, World War I Diary, by Daniel Bursk Strickler, Call No. 923.5 S917d

25 Cited as Most Influential Lancaster Countians of the Century, by John Ward Willson Loose, Call No. 974.9 L245 v. 102, no. 4

Located at Pennsylvania State Archives:

Daniel B. Strickler Collection, 1916- 1919, 1943- 1957, 1967, & undated, 3 cu. ft., Manuscript Group 356

Subject Headings:

Cornell University. Law School.

Cornell University — Track and field

College Student Government, Cornell University

Phi Delta Phi

Quill and Dagger Society (Cornell University)

United States. Army Reserves

Swimmandos

Young Men’s Christian Association of Lancaster, Pa.

World War, 1914-1918

World War, 1939-1945

Korean War, 1950-1953

Veterans — Pennsylvania –Lancaster County

Politicians — Pennsylvania — Lancaster County

Letters

Mexican Border Conflict

Military Decorations — United States

Broadsides

Cartoons, political

Scrapbooks

Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)

Pennsylvania — Lieutenant Governor (1947-1951 : Strickler)

Lancaster County (Pa.) — History, local

Lancaster (Pa.)

Columbia (Pa.)

Harrisburg (Pa.)

Ithaca (N.Y.)

France

Germany

Mexico

Processing History:  The collection was processed prior to 1997. The scrapbooks were processed and finding aid prepared by CB, 2007-2008. This collection has been documented, preserved and managed according to professional museum and archives standards. The finding aid was updated using DACS conventions.

Note:  The project to catalog the scrapbook collection was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.

 

Box 1

Folder 1 Autobiography, 1916-1962.
Folder 2 Military Certificates of Appointment, 1917-1949.
Folder 3 Military Education certificates from various military colleges or academies. 1939-1960.
Folder 4 Military citations and certificates of merit, 1944-1959.
Folder 5 Certificates of Achievement or Appreciation, 1919-1977.
Folder 6 Miscellaneous military memorandums and transcripts

Folder 7 World War II correspondence, commendations and special order.

Material related to the Luxembourg memorial to General Strickler, 1942-1948, 1975, 1985.

Folder 8 Military papers and memos from Headquarters, 1950-1960.
Folder 9 Official correspondence while on Far East Command in Japan, 1956-1957.
Folder 10 Correspondence relating to his personnel in the Far East Command in Japan, 1956-1957.
Folder 11 Okinawa papers while on Far East Command, 1954-1957.
Folder 12 Dissolution of Far East command, 1957.
Folder 13 Military Discharge papers, 1946, 1957.
Folder 14 Important invitation from President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhower, Gen. Omar N. Bradley, General and Mrs. Maxwell D. Taylor, General Mark Clark and General Matthew B. Ridgeway, 1951-1971.

 

Box 2

Folder 15 Cornell University papers, 1921-1922. Correspondence and Baccalaureate program.
Folder 16 Law papers, Notary Public certificate dated 1923. Opening of his law office, 1930. Admittance to Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1923.
Folder 17 France revisited after World War I, 1926.
Folder 18 Local elections: Republican County Committeeman, 1928.
Folder 19 House of Representatives legislative correspondence, 1930-1932.
Folder 20 National Recovery Act/Welfare Parade of 1933.
Folder 21 Lancaster Defense Council projects, papers and correspondence, 1941.
Folder 22 Civil Defense directives, 1943.
Folder 23 Universal Training By-laws, promotions, correspondence and minutes, 1945-1950.
Folder 24 Trip to Paris, 1952.
Folder 25 Articles written by General Strickler, 1918-1965.
Folder 26 Correspondence from Belgium, 1946, 1948.
Folder 27 Correspondence between Strickler and John Groff, 1954-1957.

 

Box 3

Folder 28 Republican Campaign for Lt. Governor – March through September 1946.
Folder 29 Republican Campaign, October through November 1946.
Folder 30 Letters of congratulations regarding election as Lt. Governor, November 1946.
Folder 31 Telegrams of congratulations for election as Lt. Governor, November 1946.
Folder 32 Correspondence while Lt. Governor, 1947.
Folder 33 Correspondence, 1948.

 

Box 4

Folder 34 Correspondence relating to the 28th Division Commanding General, 1948-1953.
Folder 35 Correspondence relative to Candidate for Governor, 1949.
Folder 36 Correspondence relative to Candidate for Governor, 1950.
Folder 37 Correspondence relative political matters, 1956.
Folder 38 Correspondence relative to political matters, 1957.

Folder 39 Correspondence relative to political matters, 1958.

Petition from Columbia, PA.

Folder 40 Miscellaneous letters, 1918-1984.
Folder 41 Social engagements, 1956-1957.

 

Box 5

Folder 42 Speaking Engagements, 1928-1947.
Folder 43 Speaking Engagements, 1950-1959.
Folder 44 Speaking Engagements, 1960-1963.
Folder 45 Clubs, Organizations and Invitation material, 1923-1942.
Folder 46 Clubs, Organizations and Invitation material, 1955-1959.
Folder 47 Clubs, Organizations and Invitation material, 1960-1967.
Folder 48 Testimonial Dinner, May 27, 1976.
Folder 49 Boy Scout Award, 1987.
Folder 50 List of artifacts accessioned into museum collection.
Folder 51 Photographs

 

Box 6

Folder 52 Newsclips and Program of the funeral of General Strickler.
Folder 53 Binder: American Legion of Lancaster, PA, Post 34, by Victor Marshall, Post Historian. Newsclips and photographs of LT GEN Daniel B. Strickler, May 17, 1987…June 29, 1992. Commanding General of the 28th Infantry Division. “Patriot, Statesman, Soldier.” 1993.
Folder 54 Plaque of the Presentation of Battle Flags, October 12, 1961.

 

Scrapbooks

The General Daniel B. Strickler Scrapbooks are a collection of nine books that contain newspaper clippings and magazine articles.  The scrapbooks detail many segments of Gen. Strickler’s life from his military experiences beginning in 1918; his attendance to Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; and his political endeavors for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  The collection pulls together newspaper articles and other materials making a timeline of General Strickler’s achievements.

Book 1 illustrates some of Gen. Strickler’s early accomplishments in the United States Army during the Mexican Border Conflict and World War I.  The scrapbook shows his promotions from a captain to a colonel.  General Strickler fought, visited and commanded in locations such as Argonne Forest, France; Camp Hancock (Bismarck, North Dakota); Camp Stewart (Hinesville, Georgia); Mexican Border; El Paso, Texas; and Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, which are all covered in Book 1.

Book 2 outlines the success Gen. Strickler had while attending Cornell University Law School in Ithaca, New York.  A large portion of the book is dedicated to the track team, of which Strickler was captain.  It also summarizes the variety of teams, organizations, clubs and government bodies of which he was a member, captain, or president.

Book 3 elaborates on Gen. Strickler’s life as a citizen of Lancaster County.  It details his contributions to the county via the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Aero Club of Lancaster, Red Cross, Ephrata Cloister Post (American Legion, Ephrata, Pennsylvania), and the Lancaster Chapter of the Reserves Officer’s Club.  Book 3 also contains articles on Gen. Strickler’s civic duties, including his speeches and trials. Other locations mentioned in this volume include Fort Meade, Maryland; Camp Shand (Cornwall, Pennsylvania); Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania; Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and York, Pennsylvania.

Book 4 shows Gen. Strickler as someone who is strict on crime.  It provides information during the time that Gen. Strickler was the Commissioner of the Lancaster City Police Department.  During this time, he demoted many members of the force and “cracked down” on crime.  He promoted a “War on Speeders” and showed little mercy on criminals.  Strickler was an avid supporter of prohibition as well. Volume 4 deals solely with Lancaster City.

Book 5 illustrates Gen. Strickler’s dedication to the United States Army and his expertise in commanding and training forces.  He trained troops at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana and at Camp Livingston, Louisiana.  Gen. Strickler held command over the 28th Artillery Division as well at 110th, 112th and 109th Battalions.  The volume looks at General Strickler’s military tactics, training and developments.  General Strickler created a special force for the Army known as the Swimmandos, which was the United States Army Swimming Raid Unit.  General Strickler trained both soldiers and dogs for the Swimmandos.  It also covers Strickler’s advances during the Battle of the Bulge.  In the portion of Book 5 that covers World War II, France and Germany are also mentioned.

Book 6 covers the 1946 election, in which Daniel B. Strickler ran as the republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor and James H. Duff was the republican candidate for Governor.  In the scrapbook, the republican candidates and their platforms are represented in broadsides, political cartoons, advertisements, telegrams and newspaper clippings.  Strickler and Duff toured around Pennsylvania for speeches and appearances, which were covered in the local newspapers.  They traveled to Columbia, Danville, Ephrata, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Latrobe, Philadelphia, Wilkes-Barre, Adams County, Allegheny County, Bedford County, Dauphin County, Delaware County, Lackawanna County, Lancaster County, McKean County and Westmoreland County.

Book 7 is dedicated to the successful election of Strickler and Duff for Lieutenant Governor and Governor, respectively.  It refers to their inaugural addresses throughout the state.  There are references to their accomplishments of the first year and a half at their posts, including dedications, speeches, pardons, and road improvements.  Book 7 focuses on Strickler’s involvement with the Keystone National Guard, the American Legion, the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Am-Vets.  The majority of the volume covers Strickler’s interactions and involvements with the following places: Belgium; Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; Lancaster; Columbia, Pennsylvania; Harrisburg; Wilkes-Barre; Meyersdale, Somerset County; Reamstown; East Cocalico; Philadelphia; Fort Indiantown Gap; Marietta, Pennsylvania and Coatesville, Pennsylvania.

Book 8 shows Daniel Strickler’s many appearances for speeches and as a guest of honor throughout his political career.  It also covers appearances in Edgewood Park, Shamokin; Bucktail Trail, Lock Haven; Lancaster; Lycoming County; Mont Alto, Pennsylvania and Hazelton.  Gen. Strickler showed his support for veterans, the environment, and education during his political career.  He was a strong anti-communist and he gave several speeches contesting communism.  This anti-communist sentiment may have led to his willingness to command and act in an advisory capacity during the Korean War.  During this time, Gen. Strickler was being promoted from Brigadier General to Major General.

Book 9 explains General Strickler’s ambitions for the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office.  Strickler began to run under a second republican ticket in the 1958 election race, but gracefully resigned to keep the Republican Party unified.  The contents of this book incorporate Columbia, Harrisburg and Lancaster.