Glenn Charles Ames, born 29 March 1913 in Wisconsin, served the US Military from 1935-1975, primarily in the National Guard. The Glenn C. Ames collection spans the years 1927-1986 and consists of 598 items, including manuscripts, printed materials, and photographic prints relating primarily to his service in the 41st Infantry Division, United States Army, during World War II. The collection also documents his service as commanding general of the California National Guard, 1967-1975.
Glenn Charles Ames was born on 29 March 1913. A native of Wisconsin, Ames entered military service in 1935, when he received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Officers Reserve Corps on his graduation from the University of Illinois. After earning his law degree from the University of Southern California, in 1937, he served in what he termed "the old horse cavalry," patrolling the Mexican border. During World War II, he served as an intelligence in the 41st Infantry Division in the Pacific Theater. Ames served in Australia, New Guinea, the then Dutch East Indies and the Philippines, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. At the end of the war, he was the intelligence officer in a task force that occupied the Hiroshima-Kure area and accepted the surrender of the remaining Imperial Japanese Navy.
After occupation duty in Japan, he returned to the United States to practice law in Encino, California. He specialized in probate and corporate law. However, Ames remained an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. In 1951, he switched to the California National Guard. In 1965, Ames played an active part in the Guard's service during the Watts [Los Angeles, Ca.] riots. Ames also helped train Guard troops to assist local police officers if other civil disturbances erupted in California's major cities.
Gen. Ames retired from the California National Guard in 1966 with the rank of brigadier general. However, Gov. Ronald Reagan recalled him to duty in 1967 to serve as commander of the California National Guard with the rank of lieutenant general. Gen. Ames served to a tumultuous period in California history. He reorganized and strengthened the Guard, preparing troops to maintain order during demonstrations and civil disturbances. Ames retired from the Guard in 1975 with the federal rank of major general.
Gen. Ames died of heart failure on 2 October 1990 in Los Angeles, Ca. He was 77 years old. Gen. Ames left a wife, Maxine, a son, Glenn C. Ames Jr., a daughter, Jodi Ames Mulliniks, a sister, and two grandchildren.
This collection contains material compiled by intelligence officer Glenn Charles Ames relating primarily to his service in the 41st Infantry Division, United States Army, during World War II. Includes are photographic prints (1927, 1944-1945, 1962-1969) with subjects including California National Guard Officers and Social Events as well as photos related to the division's service in the Philippines, New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia, and the California National Guard, including images of combat, several captured Japanese prints, and photographs of both a Japanese soldier and a Formosan (now Taiwan) soldier who had been cannibalized by Japanese troops.
The collection's manuscripts include a photocopy transcript and photographic print of a 40th Armored Division Report (1963) with the division's history from 1917-193 and biographical sketches of division offers, including Ames; a mimeograph typescript (1969) of the protocol for a Army Division Formal Dinner; a mimeograph typescript (1969) of Ames' comments to the Senate Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs Committee; 7 letters (1967-1971), including invitations to receptions and a letter from Gov. Ronald Reagan regarding People's Park protest in Berkeley, California; letters (1969) to Ames with attached California National Guard Newsletters; a mimeograph typescript (1969) of a biographical article on Ames, entitled Meet Your Commanders: Major General Glenn Charles Ames, Commanding General, State Military Forces; various newspaper and magazine clippings and photocopies (1947, 1986, undated); a letter (1969) to Ames's wife about the ladies activities at Adjutants General Association Conference.
Other materials include a program (1975) for the California National Guard's Change of Command Ceremony; a printed pamphlet (1969) entitled Income Tax Consequences of Political Contributions written by Ernest R. Mortensen and Peter M. Winkelman; programs and ephemera (1969) from various meetings held by the Adjutants General Association of the United States and by the California National Guard; a pamphlet (1969) describing the correct way to address federal officials; a program (1969) for Governer Ronald Reagan's Second Inauguration Anniversary Reception; and a pamphlet (1967) with biographical sketches and portraits on governors of western states for a Western Governors' Conference. Also included are two mimeographed transcripts (1969) of articles written about Ames in the California National Guard Newsletter; a printed copy (1970) of The Officer including an article on Ames; and a guest ribbon with lapel button (1969) from the annual meeting of the Adjutants General Association of the United States.
Gift of William J. Rorabaugh
Encoded by Jonathan Dembo, December 07, 2009
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.