Ross W. Hippensteel papers, 1912-1960 | Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

By David Hovde and Mary A. Sego

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Collection Overview

Title: Ross W. Hippensteel papers, 1912-1960

Predominant Dates:1932-1950

Primary Creator: Hippensteel, Ross (1912-1997)

Extent: 13.5 Cubic feet

Date Acquired: 06/07/2007

Subjects: Engineering, Purdue University--Alumni and alumnae, World War, 1939-1945

Forms of Material: Artifacts (object genre), Certificates, Clippings (Information artifacts), Correspondence, Diplomas, Ephemera, Lecture notes, Pencil sketches

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Ross W. Hippensteel papers (1912-1960; 13.5 cubic feet) document the college and military career of Ross W. Hippensteel. The collection contains many artifacts, papers, handbooks, manuals, certificates, class notes, clippings, correspondence, ephemera, a pencil sketch, clothing and other miscellaneous items. Some of the items belonged to his wife, Jean Rankin Hippensteel. The class notes are from many of his Purdue University, mechanical engineering and physics courses from 1929-1934, along with many Purdue University Military Department manuals. There is also a strong emphasis on U.S. army artifacts and manuals from the years proceeding World War II, World War II and the years thereafter.

Biographical Note

Ross W. Hippensteel was born to Benjamin F. and Amelia (Guempelein) Hippensteel, August 22, 1912 in Peru, Indiana. He was a 1930 graduate of Peru High School, and graduated from Purdue University in 1934. Ross Hippensteel married Geneva "Jean" Rankin in Wabash on September 19, 1934.

He retired October 31, 1974 after forty years as an engineer at Continental Steel Corporation. He also retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving twenty-eight years in the Reserves and active duty from 1942-1945, during World War II in the European Theater.

His memberships included First Congregational Church; a forty year member of Kokomo Metropolitan Kiwanis Club and was Lieutenant Governor of the Sycamore Division 1981-1982 and president of the Metropolitan Club 1971-1972; Society of Professional Engineers (A. A. Potter Chapter); Kokomo Elks Lodge No. 190; Kokomo Management Club; appointed 1958-1962 to serve on the Kokomo Center Township School Board and Library Board. He was appointed as a civilian engineer to the Advisory Board to help the new jail in 1968.

He had two sons, Benjamin R. and David L. Hippensteel and two grandchildren. Ross W. Hippensteel died April 7, 1997. He was buried with military honors by the Veterans of Foreign War.

Subject/Index Terms

Engineering
Purdue University--Alumni and alumnae
World War, 1939-1945

Administrative Information

Repository: Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.

Physical Access Note: All materials have been housed in polyester sleeves, acid-free folders, and acid-free boxes. Some of the manuals have been removed from the collection for preservation purposes and cataloged as part of the Archives' book collection.

Acquisition Method: Donation received from Gary Hippensteel (grandson) on June 7, 2007.

Preferred Citation: MSA 34, Ross W. Hippensteel papers, Karnes Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries

Other URL: http://collections.lib.purdue.edu/fa/pdf/hippensteel_r.pdf

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Military Equipment and Artifacts, circa 1918-1950],
[Box 2: Military Clothing and Insignia, 1919-1950],
[Box 3: Military Clothing, 1940-1960],
[Box 4: Military Equipment, Assorted Equestrian Items, U.S. Army, circa 1936-1960],
[Box 5: Military Manuals, Military Correspondence, and Related Materials, 1927-1950],
[Box 6: Purdue University Military and Engineering Student Materials, 1929-1934],
[Box 7: School Papers, Railroad Related Materials, and Miscellaneous Material, 1912-1955],
[Box 8: Diplomas and Bill of Rights Reproduction, 1925-1932],
[Box 9: Adult and Children’s Clothing, circa 1935-1940],
[Box 10: Adult and Children’s Clothing, undated],
[Box 11: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940],
[Item 1: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940],
[Item 2: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940],
[Item 3: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940],
[All]

Box 1: Military Equipment and Artifacts, circa 1918-1950

Item 1: Artifacts, undated [two brushes and comb]
Item 2: Civilian belt with Army insignia attached, 1940-1950 [collar and hat insignia, recruiting service, U.S. unassigned, U.S. unassigned, U.S. unassigned, U.S. Medical Department, Infantry Company K, Field Artillery, Quartermaster Corps., U. S. unassigned, Medical Department, Army Air Corps]
Item 3: Shoulder insignia, 95th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, 1940-1950 [five fabric insignia]
Item 4: Dolls, ceramic, undated [African baby in yellow shirt, 4"; African with feathered skirt and black felt hair; European baby missing arms, markings 665/15 Germany]
Item 5: Glass cosmetic jar and metal pin, undated [heavy grooved glass jar with faux pewter lid, 1.75" x 1.75"; pin, red and white circular, 1.25", white ribbon attached with lettering, PICK ME UP AND HOLD ME TIGHT]
Item 6: Napkin rings and stein, undated [metal napkin ring, 1.635", engraved flower design, paper note, "from Aunt Ada"; metal napkin ring, 0.75", engraved flowers, limestone pebble inside; metal napkin ring, 1", has relief of Greco-Roman soldier's head]
Item 7: Blue Star banner, 1940-1950 [cloth, blue star banner with single star, 9" x 11"]
Item 8: M-1 steel helmet, U.S. Army, undated [olive green, chinstrap and liner, fixed bale, captain's insignia]
Item 9: Canteen, 1 quart, aluminum, 1918 [olive green canvas, infantry carrier OD #7, 1 quart, marked U.S. L.F.&C. 1918, with cup marked U.S. 1918 T.J.W.B.M. Co.]
Item 10: M-1936 web pistol belt OD #7, 1936 [olive green web belt]
Item 11: Hunting knife, undated [11" total length with a 6.5" blade, no markings. Brown leather sheath with etched initials RWH in a circle]

Box 2: Military Clothing and Insignia, 1919-1950

Item 1: Nazi arm band and silk hanky, 1919-1945 [red cotton arm band, 4” x 6”, with white circle, 3” x 5” and black ribbon, .5” swastika; silk hanky, 12.25” x 12.25”, edged in 1” lace, embroidered “1919 Pax” on one corner, 3” x 3”]
Item 2: Garrison or overseas cap, U.S. Army, 1940-1950 [khaki with black and gold piping]
Item 3: Garrison or overseas cap, U. S. Army, 1940-1950 [olive green with black and gold piping, inside marked in blue ink, H8687]
Item 4: Garrison or overseas cap, U.S. Army, 1940-1950 [dark green with black and gold piping, marked inside in black ink, H8687]
Item 5: Olive green knit scarf, U.S. Army, undated [scarf is 8" x 31"]
Item 6: Trousers, wool, olive green, U.S. Army, 1940-1950
Item 7: Trousers, wool, light gray, U.S. Army, 1940-1950
Item 8: Riding pants, wool, gray, Mounted service, U.S. Army, 1940-1950
Item 9: Ike jacket, olive green, U.S. Army, 1940-1950 [two tours stripe on right sleeve]
Item 10: R. O. T. C. insignias, Purdue University, 1930-1940 [pins and wool insignias, two cadet corporal stripes, two gold bars, one blue star, one U.S. R. O. T. C. in the form of a shield, gold and black diamond, artillery shell, two Purdue University collar pins, two Purdue University R. O. T. C. shield pins, one eagle hat pin]

Box 3: Military Clothing, 1940-1960

Item 1: Officer's dress visor cap, U.S. Army, 1950-1960 [green fabric, oak leaf clusters on visor, size 7 1/8, manufactured by Flight Ace, card inside David L. Hippensteel]
Item 2: Officer's visor cap, U.S. Army, 1940-1950 [olive brown World War II era, brown leather visor, brown leather chinstrap and back strap, manufacturer, Wimbledon Regulation, U.S. Army Officers Comfort Cap]
Item 3: Officer's dress uniform jacket, 1940-1950 [green wool, field artillery collar insignia, cloth 95th Division shoulder insignia on left shoulder, green wool belt attached]
Item 4: Officer's wool shirt, 1940-1950 [green wool with shoulder loops, cloth 95th Division insignia on left shoulder, on front interior lining are the numbers 201k7637-7]

Box 4: Military Equipment, Assorted Equestrian Items, U.S. Army, circa 1936-1960

Item 1: Brown labeled waist belt, undated [labeled Ross Hippensteel]
Item 2: Brown leather shoulder strap, undated [labeled Ross Hippensteel]
Item 3: Sword hook, undated [brown leather and metal chain, labeled Ross Hippensteel]
Item 4: Two spurs, undated [brown leather bands with silver copper stained metal spurs]
Item 5: M1936 musette filed bag, U.S. Army, undated [green canvas]
Item 6: Boot pulls, undated [two metal wire boot pulls]
Item 7

Box 5: Military Manuals, Military Correspondence, and Related Materials, 1927-1950

Folder 1

Welcome to the States: Boston Port of Embarkation Camp Myles Standish, undated[four-fold pamphlet] "Bravest of the Brave," booklet, Paris: Desfosses-Neogravure, 1945 [The story of the 95th Infantry Division.]

Folder 2

Military manuals, World War II era, 1927-1942

[1. A Manual for Courts-Martial U.S. Army 1928. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1927 and memorandum, documents related to specific court-martial cases, and slips of numbered paper

2. Basic Field Manual: 37-MM Gun, Antitank, M3, FM 23-70

Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1940

3. Basic Field Manual: Infantry Drill Regulations, FM 22-5. Washington,

DC: United States Government Printing Office, undated

4. Basic Field Manual: Military Courtesy and Discipline, FM 21-50

Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1942),

5. Basic Field Manual: Military Intelligence Combat Intelligence, Restricted

M 30-5 (Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1940),

6. Basic Field Manual: Military Training, FM 21-5 (Washington, DC: United

States Government Printing Office, 1941) and a hand written note titled Curtz

& Sill & Gammon,

7. Basic Field Manual: Signal Communication, FM 24-5. Washington,

DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1942.

8. Basic Field Manual: Soldier's Handbook, FM 21-100, Washington, DC:

United States Government Printing Office, 1941.

9. Basic Field Manual: U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1903. Washington, DC:

United States Government Printing Office, 1940 and associated handwritten

order titled Sgt. Lowery & all men.

10. Field Artillery Field Manual: Firing, FM 6-40. Washington, DC: United

States Government Printing Office, 1939.

11. Field Artillery Filed manual: Tactics and Technique. Washington, DC:

Superintendent of Documents, 1940.

12. H. F. Handy, and V. F. Burger, How to Produce an Efficient Firing

Battery. Washington, DC: The Field Artillery Association, undated.

13. Staff Officers' Filed Manual: The Staff and Combat Orders, FM 101-5

(Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1940),

14. Technical Manual: Surveying Tables ((Washington, DC:

United States Government Printing Office, 1940) stamped Lee

H. Gardner, Capt 360th F. A. BN. and associated note of mathematical figures

also stamped Lee H. Gardner, Capt 360th F. A. BN. [Some manuals removed

from the collection for preservation purposes and cataloged]

Folder 3

Packet of U.S. Army Documents, 1942-1945 [Packet mailed from J. Hippensteel, 732 So. Brandon, Kokomo, Indiana to Captain Ross Hippensteel 0-318687, Hq. 360th F.A. Bn., A.P.O. 95, Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The documents are official U.S. Army transfer orders, request for leave, medical forms, receipts, promotion, special orders, general court-martial, justification for the award of silver star and bronze star for a large number of individuals form the 95th Infantry Division dated April 4, 1945, application for ration currency, and other documents.]

Folder 4

Miscellaneous U.S. Army Documents, 1941-1945 [division commendation, receipts, leave of absence, pass, tobacco ration card, selective service card, custom luggage tags.]

Folder 5

Military Instructional Memoranda, World War Two era, 1941-1942 [Manuals removed from the collection for preservation. Blue cloth bound binder containing numerous Field Artillery School instructional memoranda and one loose memorandum titled Time Fire Using Shell Fuzed With Fuze M54 and M55.]

Folder 6

Associated documents found in A Manual for Court-Martial U.S. Army, 1928; Basic Field Manual: U.S. Rifle, Caliber, 30, M1903, FM 23-10, 1940; Basic Field Manual: Military Training FM 21-5, 1941.

Box 6: Purdue University Military and Engineering Student Materials, 1929-1934

Folder 1

Item 1: Purdue University Military Department, Cadet Officers' Manual. Lafayette, Indiana: Military Department Purdue University, 1931 [Most of these manuals have been removed from the collection and cataloged for preservation purposes. Those missing covers and back pages are in this folder.]
Item 2: Purdue University Military Department, Corps Regulations. Lafayette, Indiana: Military Department Purdue University, 1929
Item 3: Purdue University Military Department, Gunnery. Lafayette, Indiana: Military Department Purdue University, undated [cover page and back page missing.]
Item 4: Purdue University Military Department, Material. Lafayette, Indiana: Military Department Purdue University, undated [cover page and back page missing.]
Item 5: Purdue University Military Department, Motor Vehicle Assembly. Lafayette, Indiana: Military Department Purdue University, undated [cover page and back page missing.]
Item 6: Purdue University Military Department, Policy Manual. Lafayette, Indiana: Military Department Purdue University, 1933
Item 7: Purdue University Military Department, Reconnaissance. Lafayette, Indiana: Military Department Purdue University, undated
Item 8: Purdue University Military Department, Tactics Manual. Lafayette, Indiana: Military Department Purdue University, 1932
Item 9: Purdue University Military Department, Topography Manual. Lafayette, Indiana: Military Department Purdue University, 1932
Item 10: Purdue University Military Department, Topography Manual. Lafayette, Indiana: Military Department Purdue University, 1932

Folder 2

Item 1: The Log Duplex Slide Rule: A Self Teaching Manual, 1926 [2 copies]

Folder 3: Purdue University class notebooks, 1932-1933

[Applied Mechanics 1, Applied Mechanics 2, Commercial Air Conditioning, Electrical Engineering 20, Mathematics 4, Mechanical Engineering 62, Mechanical Engineering 91, brown three ring binder with various notes and schedules.]

Folder 4

Purdue University laboratory notes and exercises, 1929 [Laboratory Manual and Study Outline of General Chemistry by L. A. Test and C. B. Pollard]

Folder 5

Purdue University laboratory notes and exercises, 1931 [Mechanical Engineering/ Physics, File No. 21-J experiment booklets, one is missing a cover, thirteen items.]

Folder 6

Purdue University laboratory notes and exercises, 1932 [Mechanical Engineering/ Physics, File No. K-7 experiment booklets, eleven items; Mechanical Engineering/ Physics, File No. 22-K-7 experiment booklets, two items.]

Folder 7: Purdue University laboratory notes and exercises, 1933

[Two ring binder entitled Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Notes, Mechanical Laboratory (172, 173), (then in handwriting) Experiment No.36 Test Nov 15, 1933, Junior and Senior Engineering Students at Purdue University by L.V. Ludy, Lafayette, Indiana, September 1932]

Folder 8

Purdue University laboratory notes and exercises, undated [two items: Battle off Jutland, and Mathematics]

Folder 9: Purdue University Military Department exercises and related documents, 1932-1934

Single page typed document detailing arm signals and whistle signals used in the postmarked dated December 17, 1932; Small typewritten card titled Range Scale for 37mm Gun on the reverse side is a handwritten bank ledger; Four typewritten documents: Map Problems - Battery of Field Artillery in the Attack; Solution of Map Problem: Battery of Field Artillery in the Attack; A Solution: Battery "C" in Forward Displacement; Organization of a Battalion - Infantry Regiment.

Folder 10

Purdue University class schedules, registration forms, and fee cards, 1930-1933

Folder 11

Letter from James M. Hippensteel, uncle, December 7, 1932

Folder 12

Purdue University Mechanical Engineering exams and answers, 1932-1934

Folder 13

Colored drawing, undated [colored pencil drawing of house and evergreen trees in winter, signed R. Hippensteel.]

Box 7: School Papers, Railroad Related Materials, and Miscellaneous Material, 1912-1955

Folder 1: Ross Hippensteel high school and related books and papers, undated [bible, address book, schedules, letter, railroad tickets]
Folder 2: Geneva Rankin (Hippensteel's wife) high school, college, and related papers, 1912- 1930 [letter from father, high school and college schedules and grade slips]
Folder 3: Railroad related items, 1955-1959 [boxed calendar with newspaper clippings, Popular Mechanics railroad album, postcard, two copies of Tracks: Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad]
Folder 4: Kirkham's "Science of Railways" - portfolio plate III [interior view of railroad engine, numerous tack holes along edge]
Folder 5: Mexico "A Foreign Land Via A Step Away," undated [railroad tourist booklet from Missouri Pacific Lines]
Folder 6: Matson Navigation Company newspaper and booklet, 1945 [Matson Line Wireless (War Shipping Administration, Voyage 26 / Matson Navigation Company, Voyage 93; Matson Navigation Company, The Ship is Yours. San Francisco, California: Matson Navigation Company]
Folder 7: Various World War II newspapers, 1945

Box 8: Diplomas and Bill of Rights Reproduction, 1925-1932

Item 1: Diplomas, 1925-1932 [three diplomas of Geneva P. Rankin]
Item 2: Two reproductions of the Bill of Rights, undated.

Box 9: Adult and Children’s Clothing, circa 1935-1940

Item 1: Baby shoes, 1935 [white leather baby shoes in a white cardboard box. In pencil on the lid: "Benny's First Shoes Nov. '35" In ink: "5 months old"]
Item 2: Baby shoes, 1937 [white leather baby shoes with sky blue leather design in a white cardboard box. In pencil on the lid: "David Lan's first shoes March '37." In ink: "3 mo. old"]
Item 3: White knit baby arm warmer, undated [knit tube of white yarn with blue knit edging and a pink ribbon tied to one sleeve.]
Item 4: White cotton sleeveless slip with lace, undated [white cotton slip, 29 inches in length. Two shell buttons at neck and chest. Lace on neck and arm holes. Crocheted lace band 2.5 inches in width 6.0 inches from the base and the same design at base of the garment]
Item 5: White cotton slip with lace, undated [white cotton slip with sleeves, 29 inches in length. Three shell buttons close the garment from neck to base of arms. Three vertical bands of lace and pleats at top front and skirt gathered at top. The base of the garment is decorated with three horizontal pleats and a band of lace]
Item 6: White cotton baby dress, undated [white cotton short sleeved baby dress, 16 inches in length. White embroidery on sleeves, collar, and front. Vertical pleats at shoulder. Two small white buttons close the back at the neck. Small label at neck: "Hand Made." Note associated with garment: "Benny H baby dress & sweater & gloves are knit by Jean's aunt Pearl Parson."]
Item 7: White cotton baby dress, undated [white cotton short sleeved baby dress, 15 inches in length. White embroidery on sleeves, collar, and front. Vertical pleats at shoulder. Two small white buttons close the back at the neck. Note associated with garment: "David's baby dress hand made by Jean H & sack are D --."]
Item 8: Lace hanky, undated [each quarter of this hanky is half shear cotton fabric and half lace and is divided at a 45 degree angle. The entire edge is bordered by 7/8 inch lace. Ink signature: "A. M. Rankin."]
Item 9: Engineer's cap, undated [brown cap with folded ear protection lined with brown animal fur. Considerable dirt and sweat staining. Stamped in the interior: "Water Shed Fabric."]

Box 10: Adult and Children’s Clothing, undated

Item 1: Child's sailor suit, white cotton twill jumper with blue cotton tape on cape and cuffs. Button bakelite and mother of pearl.
Item 2: Child's sailor cap, white cotton sailor cap with gay piping and gray brim, undated
Item 3: Child's kaki fringed pants, kaki cotton twill fringe on outside seam, cuff, and pockets painted brown. Ozark stamped metal button on fly, undated
Item 4: Baby jacket, red wool twill weave jacket, hand embroidered floral designs, undated
Item 5: Baby jacket, white wool jacket with light blue satin ribbon edging, handmade, undated
Item 6: Baby sweater jacket worn by Jean Hippensteel. White wool knit open front sweater, two pink stripes on collar, cuff, and waist. Green, blue, and pink knotted floral design on front of jacket. Ties, arms and collar attached by machine sewing, undated
Item 7: Baby jacket, crocheted, white yarn with cabled yarn ties at collar, undated
Item 8: Baby booties, crocheted white cotton two-piece booties worn by Jean Hippensteel. Blue cotton yarn used as decorative edging, tie, and means of attaching sole with upper, undated
Item 9: Baby mittens, white wool knit thumbless mittens with white string ties worn by Jean Hippensteel, undated
Item 10: Baby mittens, white wool knit thumbless mittens with open chevron design worn by Jean Hippensteel, undated
Item 11: Baby blanket, white cotton flannel, hand embroidered edging, 23.5x21.5 inches, undated
Item 12: Pink knit doll sleeveless sweater, note associated with garment: "Doll sweater knit by Jean H when she was 6-8." undated
Item 13: Black shawl with flower embroidery, 72x36 inches. Highly detailed black flower embroidery and 6 inch long lace edging on three sides. Note associated with garment: " Jean H - Grandmother Rankin's shawl," undated

Box 11: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940

Riding boots, U.S. Army, undated [brown leather, rubber heel labeled Goodyear wing foot]

Item 1: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940

Trunk, civilian, undated [dark green trunk labeled Ross Hippensteel, 0-318687, captain, size: 31" x 16.5" x 10"]

Item 2: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940

Footlocker, military, 1940 [olive green footlocker labeled Ross Hippensteel, 03/8687 captain, 10070-N, H]

Item 3: Artifact - Oversized, circa 1940

Lap drafting desk, undated [unfinished plywood sheet, 19" x 13" with 1.25" x 0.5" supports nailed to the underside. These supports also hold a straight edge which is ink stained along both edges.]