Peter Oleski Photograph Collection
Scope and Contents
The Peter Oleski Photograph Collection contains an album of snapshot photographs, a group portrait, and an illustrated map documenting St. Louisan Peter T. Oleski's service as a private with the 549th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (also known as the 549th AAA AW Battalion) in Europe during World War II.
Many of the snapshots in the album are identified, and some include brief notes regarding the subjects, activities, or locations. Photographs were taken in various locations across England, Germany, Holland, Belgium, and Czechoslovakia. Most notably, several photos show soldiers at Buchenwald Concentration Camp in Weimar, Germany.
The group portrait shows the men in Battery A of the 549th AAA AW Battalion posed in their dress uniforms. The unit's flag is displayed in the center of the back row. Below the group portrait, each man is identified.
The map of Europe illustrates the movement and battles of the 549th AAA AW Battalion during World War II. The maker's signature is not clearly legible, but may say "Edward Bushe."
Dates
- 1943-1945
Creator
- Oleski, Peter Thomas, 1916-1965 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
No viewing restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. The user assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.
Biographical / Historical
Peter Thomas Oleski was born in Bartsfield, Oklahoma, to John and Julia Oleski on April 19, 1916. From 1936 to 1943, he worked in order fulfillment at the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company in St. Louis. Oleski married Josephine E. Gaglio (1920-1980), and the couple had three children. Peter Oleski died in St. Louis at age forty-eight on February 1, 1965.
In April 1943, Oleski entered military service in the U.S. Army as a private, assigned to Battery A, 549th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. The 549th was attached to the 87th Infantry as it traveled from France to Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany in 1945. Oleski was a switchboard operator during combat, facilitating communication between field artillery, batteries, and control posts. He was awarded three bronze service stars and a good conduct medal. Oleski was honorably discharged on November 24, 1945.
Extent
0.32 Cubic Feet ( (1 box, 1 oversize folder))
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Photo album consists of photos placed in page protectors in a three-ring binder. The album remains intact and in its original order. The oversize map and group portrait are stored together.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
No physical or technical restrictions.
Donor Information
Collection donated by John Oleski in 2020.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital copies and item-level records of select images are posted as they are created and can be accessed through the Online Collections on the Missouri Historical Society website (mohistory.org/collections).
Digitized images are generated from the original item whenever possible and files are adjusted only to ensure an accurate representation. Master files are saved in TIF format and JPEG viewing files are automatically generated from the master files.
Formats
Photograph; Map; Photograph album
Processing Information
Processed by Lauren Sallwasser in 2026.
Creator
- Oleski, Peter Thomas, 1916-1965 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Peter Oleski Photograph Collection.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- EAD by Lauren Sallwasser using ArchivesSpace.
- Date
- 2026
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Missouri Historical Society, Photographs and Prints Department Repository
Library and Research Center
225 South Skinker Boulevard
St. Louis MO 63105
photo@mohistory.org