John K. Ruppert Collection, 1941-2005, MS 3115

Finding Aid to the John K. Ruppert Collection, MS 3115

H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Maryland Historical Society

Collection summary

Administrative summary

Biographical Note

Sergeant John K. Ruppert fought in World War II with the United States Army. He enlisted in 1942 and was stationed in Italy from 1944 to 1946 during the Rome-Arno Campaign. He arrived in Italy after brief stay in Morocco and Algeria. When he arrived in Italy, he was assigned to the C Company of the 168^th regiment of the 34^th Infantry Division. He and his regiment worked to liberate many towns in Italian countryside, before they headed to Rome.

The Rome-Arno campaign was long and fraught with casualties. The Allies arrived in Italy in September 1943. They swiftly captured Naples and gained control of southern Italy with the goal of taking Rome, an Axis capital.  After many months of engaging the enemy, Allied Forces liberated Rome from the occupying German Army on June 5, 1944.

More information on John K. Ruppert is available online at http://freepages.military.rootsweb.com/~ruppert/. Ruppert’s son, Gary, created the site, and it includes photographs of 168^th regiment, recollections of the war, and other related material.

Scope and Content

            The collection contains the personal items and memorabilia of Ruppert’s time in Italy. He returned with several souvenirs and kept many of his military records which are included in the collection. The original order of the material has been retained.

Container List