Lt. Sollie Kaplan Collection
Sollie Kaplan was born July 28, 1917 in Chicago. After attending business school at the University of Illinois, Kaplan enlisted in the Army Air Corps on January 7, 1942.
After service as a private and sergeant, he transferred to the Adjutant General Officer Candidate School at Fort Washington, Maryland, eventually receiving a commission as 2nd lieutenant on June 30, 1943. Kaplan served with the Air Corps in Southampton, England and Paris, France as an Administrative Officer and Adjutant in the Transportation Corps. Kaplan was discharged from the Army December 30, 1945 as a 1st lieutenant. He resumed a civilian career in construction and real estate development in Chicago until relocating to Florida. Lt. Kaplan passed away June 12, 2006, just before his 89th birthday.
The Kaplan Collection consists of records related to Lt. Kaplan’s service in the Army Air Corps during the World War II. Folders include a set of snapshots of Kaplan and fellow officers, tourist photograph cards, and postcards acquired by Kaplan while on duty in Paris in 1944-45. Three remarkable photographs by an unknown photographer portray scenes from the Liberation of Paris in August 1944. Other highlights include passes and visitation cards representing the American Red Cross in France, the House of Commons visitors’ galley, and many others. A 1945 newsletter from Kaplan’s Army Air Corps base provides rare informal description of base life at the end of the war.
Photograph of Lt. Sollie Kaplan
Photograph of Lt. Sollie Kaplan
Ribbon Rows with European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbons and Good Conduct Ribbons
Recipt for the purchase of F-S Fighting Knives.
These two F-S Fighting Knives were purchased by Lt. Sollie Kaplan for 18 shillings from the Wilkinson Sword Company Ltd. in London in March 1943.
Lt. Kaplan's dog tags
Unofficial Patch
Army Air Forces General Headquarters Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Post Cards of Paris - L'Arc de Triomphe
Post Cards of Paris - La Tour de Eiffel
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of the Liberation of Paris - August 1944
Photograph of Charles Andre Joseph Marie de Gaulle. Intensely patriotic, he fought in World War I, opposed France’s surrender in World War II, established the Free French Forces in exile during the war, and remained active in French politics until 1969.
Hand written letter from the desk of Sollie Kaplan.
Jackson Park Lodge Membership Card
Officer's Mess Card
Admittance Card for the U.S. Senate Chambers
Admittance Card for the U.S. House of Representatives
Typed letter from Franklin Roosevelt to the troops of the U.S. Expeditionary Forces
Empire Parliamentary Association Card
Red Cross presents S. Kaplin to the House of Parliament
Membership Card to the American Red Cross Washington Club
Admittance card for the House of Commons
Menu for the U.S. Army Hospital Ship Wisteria
Photograph of Lt. Sollie Kaplan
Photograph of Lt. Sollie Kaplan
Certificate of examination of firearms.
Fabrique Nationale D'Armes De Guerre Herstal-Belguique Pistol brought back by Lt. Kaplan from Europe
Browning Pocket Pistol brought back by Lt. Kaplan from Europe
