VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Valley City Named “American World War II Heritage City” by National Park Service.
Wes Anderson said the Barnes County Historical Society (BCHS) is pleased to announce that the National Park Service has recently added Valley City, ND, as one of eight communities designated this year as American World War II Heritage Cities. The recognition honors the contributions of local towns, cities, counties, and their citizens who stepped into the workforce and volunteered to support America’s war effort during World War II, which ended this month in 1945.
“World War II not only impacted those who went to war, but also those who carried on the life and work of the home front,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “It’s important we remember that cities and towns both big and small made major contributions at home to the war effort, all of which helped Allied forces defeat the Axis powers.” Only one American World War II Heritage City can be designated in each state or territory.
The BCHS board and Wes Anderson, curator of the Barnes County Museum, submitted an application of consideration in late May of 2024, along with letters of support from local and state leaders, and an abbreviated compilation of Valley City/Barnes County contributions to the war effort.
Some highlights included: • Company G of the 164th Infantry ‘American Division,’ which was the first Army unit to engage the Japanese on the offense during WWII, and distinguished themselves at Guadalcanal and Bougainville. • Battery D of the 188th Field Artillery, which served in Europe as part of D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, and the liberation of Nordhausen Concentration Camp. • Local businessman Herman Stern, who used his own money and influence to help bring more that 120 German Jews to America, many of them to Valley City. • Valley City College (now Valley City State University) hosted the Navy’s V-12 program for training deck officers when the Navy needed facilities. The college was also a hub for many women who joined the military directly in all branches. Mercy Hospital partnered with the college at that time to create the Cadet Nurse Corps, training young women to become nurses to help with the war effort. • Home Guard Company F was the first unit of its kind in the state, comprised of local volunteers assembled to protect the Hi-Line Bridge from enemy sabotage. • Sisters of Mary of the Presentation who founded the Maryvale convent on the outskirts of Valley City had its mother convent in Nazi-occupied France; many of the nuns who lived at Maryvale were POWs for the duration of the war. • Dr. Clifford John Klein, a former resident of Valley City, worked on the Manhattan Project; singer Peggy Lee was active in the USO; Harriet Zetterberg Margolies, a graduate of Valley City College who worked as an attorney on the prosecution staff at the War Crimes Trials of Neurenberg; and sculptor Paul Fjelde of the VC College created a bust of President Lincoln that was gifted to Norway and became a site of silent anti-Nazi protests during the war (a replica of the bust in on the VCSU campus). • A remembrance of the local veterans who gave their all in World War II.
“In a community of 7,000 strong, the stories of WWII and the actions of Valley City residents carry added significance and retain a place of historical honor undiminished by the passing of time,” stated ND Governor Doug Burgum in his letter of support. There was also a joint letter of support signed and presented from US Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, and US Congressman Kelly Armstrong.
In his letter of support, Valley City Mayor Dave Carlsrud added, “Our small community had a number of patriots who contributed greatly to America’s WWII efforts. Please know we are very proud of our city, its history and patriotic culture.” The Barnes County Museum has a vast archive of WWII artifacts, much of it on display in the museum. To honor that collection, Curator Anderson spearheaded the application process in May and received the designation approval notification on September 17, 2024.
“What an amazing honor it is to have Valley City selected to represent North Dakota’s WWII service and sacrifice,” Anderson said. “Valley City has remarkable and unlikely historically significant stories. The BCHS Committee helped gather the information and Sandy Hansen created an outstanding application. We thank Mayor Carlsrud for submitting the application, Governor Burgum and the ND Congressional Delegation of Senator Hoeven, Senator Cramer, and Representative Armstrong for their unified support of our application.
It is our obligation to ensure that these stories are told for generations to come.” (https:www.nps.gov/subjects/worldwarii/americanheritagecity.htm) Display of Stern memorabilia at the Barnes County Museum. Valley City Honors Veterans Every Memorial Day Memorial Day Observance, held on May 24, 2024 Memorial Day is for honoring military personnel who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Several veteran organizations conducted Military Honors consisting of wreath placement, prayer, gun salute, and taps. The Honor Guard visited six area cemeteries and conclude with Honors at the Valley City Eagles Club. After rending Military Honors, a performance consisting of Patriotic music is conducted by the Valley City Community Band along with Valley City High School band members.