Howard H. Peckham, curator of manuscripts in the Clements Library, was appointed University war historian, and charged both with compiling the story of the University’s war activities and with issuing public reports on the subject from time to time. The University, according to the President’s Report for 1943-44, was “determined to avoid the mistake which was made in the World War and to keep currently an account of its own part in the present conflict.” The collection of historical materials was naturally an important phase of this work, and the Michigan Historical Collections was designated as the repository for them. Many of the alumni in the armed services were asked to contribute written or printed materials to the University’s war collections. The post was supported by the Michigan Historical Society.
