ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
3051 UNIVERSITY AVENUE STOP 9000
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202-9000

LACLAIR A. MELHOUSE PAPERS

COLLECTION: OGL #1055

DATES: 1948-1986 [Bulk dates 1961-1976]

SIZE: 12.5 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The LaClair A. Melhouse Papers were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by LaClair A. Melhouse, Bismarck, North Dakota, on May 22, 1986 (Acc. #86-1442).

ACCESS: Available for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

LaClair A. Melhouse was born October 23, 1916, in Balfour, North Dakota, to John and Regina (Peterson) Melhouse. He attended elementary and secondary school in Kief, North Dakota. Shortly after his graduation in 1934, his father died and his mother sold the family farm. Melhouse worked four years as a farmhand before enrolling at Minot State College in 1938, where he worked as a janitor in a nearby hospital while taking education classes. He enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard in 1939 and earned his secondary teaching certificate the following year. He taught six months in rural Anamoose, North Dakota, before beginning active duty with the military.

Melhouse married Edith Bostrom on December 10, 1942, while he was on a 10-day military leave. During World War II, he served with the 164th Infantry in campaigns in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, the southern Philippines and Luzon. Melhouse received numerous decorations for his service, including the Legion of Merit with an Oak Leaf cluster, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. When he returned to North Dakota he was placed on reserve duty. From 1946 to 1950 he farmed and raised Hereford cattle near Verendrye, North Dakota, before he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War.

In 1952, Melhouse returned to Minot, where he farmed with his brother and earned his B.S. in Mathematics and Industrial Arts from Minot State College. He then taught high school math in Maxbass, North Dakota, and in Minot until 1961, all while maintaining enrollment in the North Dakota National Guard. In 1960, he was engaged on a brief tour of the Pentagon to assist in preparation of equipment guides for the Guard and Reserve. He was again released from active military duty in August 1962.

In November 1962, Melhouse was appointed by Governor William Guy as Adjutant General of the State of North Dakota. He concurrently served as State Director of Selective Service, effectively returning him to active duty with the U.S. Army. In 1966, the North Dakota Legislature assigned the state civil defense agency to the Adjutant General. Melhouse retired as Adjutant General in October 1975. One year later he retired as Director of Selective Service. Melhouse held several designations during his military career, the highest rank being Major General, which he was federally recognized with on November 11, 1969.

He and his wife remained in Bismarck upon his retirement. Melhouse engaged in numerous volunteer positions including President of the Kiwanis Club, and roles in the Salvation Army, the state Easter Seal Campaign, Boy Scouts of America, the YMCA and several veterans organizations, among others.

LaClair and Edith Melhouse had two children, Jim and Dianne. LaClair A. Melhouse died February 12, 2004, in Bismarck. His ashes are interred at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The LaClair A. Melhouse Papers are composed almost entirely of material from his military career. Because he served in roles as North Dakota Adjutant General, State Director of Selective Service and overseer of state civil defense from 1962 to 1976, the bulk of material dates from this time span. A wide range of military information is contained in the files. Among topics of North Dakota interest are files relating to the "Zip to Zap" incident of 1969, the Anti-Ballistic Missile protest of 1970, the fuel shortage of 1973, Vietnam military recruitment, and natural disasters and disaster relief.

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

Box 1
Folder

Box 1

Folder

1. Annual Field Training Plan 164th Engineer Battalion, 1961
2. Annual Field Training Plan 164th Engineer Battalion, 1961
3. Annual Field Training Plan 164th Engineer Battalion, 1961
4. Army Field Training Test, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas
5. Army Field Training Test, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas
6. Results of Army Training Test, 1st Engineer Battalion, December 11-14, 1961
7. Daily Reports, December 11-14, 1961
8.  Exercise Message File, December 11-14, 1961
9. Joint Message Form, December 11-14, 1961
10. Objectives and Designs, December 11-14, 1961
11. Construction Equipment Handbooks
12. Construction Equipment Handbooks
13. Operation Orders
14. Comments on Phase One of ATT
15. Captured Aggressor Maps and Casualty Slips
16. Address by Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, March 13, 1967
17. Velva Flood - National Guard Assistance, August 15, 1962
18. Bridge Named After 164th Engineering Battalion at Ft. Riley, 1962
19. Newspaper clippings - “Why Melhouse got AG 1962” and “164th Trace History”
20. Biography and Retirement
21. Appointments
22. Rank Promotions
23. Military Diplomas
24. Awards
25. Article - “Secret Life of LaClair Melhouse,” The Greeter , May 1985
26. Memorabilia - Cattle Venture
27. Black Recruiting
28. Math Division NDEA 1958, Melhouse State Chair
29. Biennial Report, July 1962-June 1964
30. Biennial Report, July 1964-June 1966
31. Biennial Report, July 1966-June 1968
32. iennial Report, July 1968-June 1970
33. Biennial Report, July 1970-June 1972
34. Annual Report, July 1972-June 1973
35. Biennial Report, July 1973-June 1975
36. Annual Report, December 31, 1962

Box 2

Folder

1. Six-Year Plan, North Dakota National Guard, 1967-1973
2. ARNG Strength, 1962-1966
3. ARNG Strength, 1967-1971
4. ARNG Strength, 1972
5. McNamara Plan, 1967
6. McNamara Plan, 1967
7. McNamara Plan, 1967
8. Counterinsurgency Plan, 1965
9. Reorganization of the NDARNG, 1972
10. Reorganization of the NDARNG, 1972
11. Legislative Planning, February 1, 1972
12. Area Study of North Dakota - Special Forces
13. Area Study of North Dakota - Special Forces Supplemental Materials
14. Area Study of North Dakota - Special Forces Supplemental Materials
15. Report to the Governor, 1961
16. Fuel Shortage, 1973
17. Fuel Shortage, 1973
18. Resource Committee - State Resource Planning Council
19. Report of the National Guard for the Decade
20. Presentation - Tax Department, April 4, 1973
21. Selected Readings - Counterinsurgency
22. Selected Readings - Senior Reserve Component Officer course (SRCOC - 8)
23. Selected Readings - SRCOC - 8
24. Selected Readings - SRCOC - 8
25. Correspondence - Governor Guy
26. Correspondence - Governor Link

Box 3

Folder:

1. Correspondence - Senator Young, 1963-1974
2. Correspondence - Senator Burdick, 1963-1973
3. Correspondence - Congressman Andrews, 1964-1973
4. Correspondence - John Davis, Civil Defense
5. General correspondence, 1962
6. General correspondence, 1963
7. General correspondence, 1964
8. General correspondence, 1965
9. General correspondence, 1966
10. General correspondence, 1967
11. General correspondence, 1968
12. General correspondence, 1969
13. General correspondence, 1970
14. General correspondence, 1970
15. General correspondence, 1971
16. General correspondence, 1971
17. General correspondence, 1972
18. General correspondence, 1972
19. General correspondence, 1973
20. General correspondence, 1973
21. General correspondence, 1973

Box 4

Folder

1. General correspondence, 1974
2. General correspondence, 1974
3. General correspondence, 1974
4. General correspondence, 1974
5. General correspondence, 1975
6. General correspondence, 1975
7. General correspondence, 1975
8. General correspondence, 1975
9. General correspondence, 1976-1978
10. General correspondence, 1979-1986
11. Project - Minot State, 1957
12. National Plowing Contest, 1964
13. National Plowing Contest, 1964, news clippings
14. Electrical Power Study, 1968
15. Reorganizational Plan for Civil Defense, 1970
16. Reorganizational Plan for Civil Defense, 1970
17. Appreciation Letters, 1972
18. Coal Strike, 1974
19. Law Enforcement Concern Aim, 1974
20. Guard Support of EPA, 1974
21. Northern Lights Boy Scout Council
22. Special Advisory Disaster Committee

Box 5

Folder

1.  Emergency Planning State Operations
2. State Outdoor Recreation Agency
3. Forum - UND, 1974
4. Pentagon Briefing, 1977
5. Calendar Schedule, 1964-1969
6. Calendar Schedule, 1970-1975
7. State Guard Plan, 1966
8. United Way of Bismarck
9. United Way of Bismarck
10. Inaugural Programs, 1963, 1965, 1969
11. Brief of Major General Heber Creel, former North Dakota Adjutant General
12. Attorney General - opinions
13. Adjusted Compensation Progress Reports, 1971
14. Adjusted Compensation Progress Reports, 1972
15. Adjusted Compensation Progress Reports, 1973
16. Adjusted Compensation Progress Reports, 1974
17. Adjusted Compensation Progress Reports, 1975
18. Adjusted Compensation Division
19. Vietnam Bonus
20. Vietnam Bonus: Funding, Attorney General Rulings Burial Laws
21. Vietnam Bonus: SB2456, HB1492, Organizational Charts, Estimated Cost Forms
22. Visual Aid, Bonuses paid by other states
23. Federal Legislation Notes - Study Retirement & Survivor Benefits
24. Committee on Legislation
25. Fiscal Reports: Claims, Wet Site, Funds R&R, AG, 1969-1971
26. Fiscal Reports: Civil Defense, Lisbon Armory, National Guard, 1969-1971

Box 6

Folder

1.  Inaugural, 1975
2. House Legislation, 1973
3. Senate Legislation, 1973
4. Legislative Session, 1975
5. ANG: Awards & the Hector Title
6. ANG: Ori, Regs, and miscellaneous
7. ANG: C54, C47, Org, & Area Command
8. Planning - Anti-Ballistic Missile protest
9. Planning - Anti-Ballistic Missile protest
10. Anti-Ballistic Missile protest
11. Planning - “Zip to Zap” Incident
12. Planning - “Zip to Zap” Incident - news clippings, editorials, and costs
13.  “Zip to Zap” Incident
14. Seminar: Bismarck Junior College, 1972
15. Camp Grafton Beach Proposal
16. Camp Grafton Beach Proposal
17. War Office - Army Manual

Box 7

Folder

1. Command & Staff - M5000, M5010
2. Command & Staff - M5100, M5110, M5120
3. Command & Staff - M5200, M5600, M5612, M5623
4. Command & Staff - A5614, M5620, M5630
5. Command & Staff - A1010, M1013, M1030, M1100, M1101, M1107
6. Command & Staff - M1104, M1105, M1103, M1108, M1107, M1109
7. Command & Staff - M1110, M1111, M1112, M1113
8. Command & Staff - M1115, M1120, M1121, M1122, M1123
9. Command & Staff - M1005, M1025, M1150
10. Command & Staff - A1299, M2100, M2000, M2240, A2445, M2300
11. Command & Staff - M2604, A1011, A399
12. Command & Staff - Military Geography of the USSR, and miscellaneous
13. Command & Staff - M6000, M6010, M6020, M6030, M6040
14. Command & Staff - M6051, M6080, M6090, M6110
15. Command & Staff - M6210, M6220
16. Command & Staff - M6290, M6241
17. Command & Staff - M6410, M6420, M6430, M6440
18. Command & Staff - M6450, M6460, M6470, M6480

Box 8

Folder

1. Selective Service System (SSS) - History & Evaluation
2. SSS - “You and the Draft”
3. SSS - Governor in Selective Service
4. SSS - Correspondence Dr. Tarn
5. SSS - Vietnam Draft Clippings
6. SSS - News Clippings
7. SSS - Press Releases
8. SSS - Requests for Deferment
9. SSS - Teacher Registrant Statistics
10. SSS - Correspondence
11. SSS - Correspondence
12. SSS - Induction calls, November 1, 1948
13. SSS - Registration, 1972
14. SSS - UND Presentation, August 26, 1971
15. SSS - “Can a Jew be a C.O.”
16. SSS - Amnesty Program
17. SSS - Visual Aids - Presentation UND, November 19, 1971
18. SSS - Registration Plan, 1976
19. SSS - Miscellaneous Newspapers
20. Itinerary for Gen. Hershey's Visit
21. Emergency Management of Resources
22. Emergency Management of Resources
23. Emergency Management of Resources
24. Emergency Management of Resources
25. SSS: Annual Registration Plan, 1976
26. SSS: Annual Registration Plan, 1976
27. SSS: Annual Registration Plan, 1976
28. SSS: Administrative Procedures
29. SSS: Administrative Procedures
30. SSS: Administrative Procedures

Box 9

Folder

1. Selective Service System (SSS)
2. Intercounty Personnel Files
3. SSS: Mobilization Readiness Exercise
4. SSS: Correspondence with National Director
5. SSS: Correspondence with National Director
6. SSS: Correspondence with National Director
7. SSS: Correspondence with National Director
8. SSS: Intercounty Boards
9. SSS: Intercounty Boards
10. SSS: Intercounty Boards
11. SSS: Intercounty Boards
12. SSS: Intercounty Boards
13. SSS: Intercounty Boards
14. Consolidation Procedures
15. Consolidation Procedures
16. Consolidation Procedures
17. Continuity of Operations
18. SSS: Reorganization, 1974
19. SSS: Reorganization, 1974
20. Letter Congressional Interest and Progress Report
21. SSS: Last Meeting - State Director
22. SSS: Court Actions
23. Army and Air National Guard Seminar, Cheyenne, Wyoming

Box 10

Folder

1.   Civil Defense (CD) - Snow Removal and Flood Disaster

2.   CD - Snow Removal and Flood Disaster

3.   CD - Snow Removal and Flood Disaster

4.   CD - Snow Removal and Flood Disaster

5.   CD - Flash Flood, June 24, 1966

6.   CD - Correspondence - Red & Sheyenne River Floods

7.   Flood Notes

8.   CD - Flood Reports

9.   CD - Operation Snowbound

10.   CD - Severe Weather Warnings

11.   CD - Report of Blizzard Operations

12.   CD - Tornado Information

13.   CD - Weather Warnings

14.   CD - Readiness

15.   Devils Lake Tornado Damage, 1966

16.   CD - Devils Lake Tornado Damage, 1966

17.   CD - Community Shelter Planning

18.   CD - EOC 1st and 2nd Bid

19.   CD - EOC

20.   National Guard in a Nuclear Attack

21.   National Guard Disaster Emergency Services

22.   National Guard Assistance

23.   Food Working Group, Joint Emergency Resources and Planning Committee

24.   Disaster Emergency Services - “Exercise Delta”

25.   CD - Canadian - U.S. Information Exchange

26.   CD - Miscellaneous Laws and Rulings

27.   Red Cross

28.   Miscellaneous Flood Notes Book “Red River Flood of 1950”

29.   Speech Service File

30.   Speech Service File

31.   Speech Service File

32.   Speech Service File

33.   Cassette Tapes Regarding the Zip to Zap Incident and the Anti-ABM Demonstration

SEPARATIONS RECORD

A total of 608 photographs were separated and placed in the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection. They have been categorized according to subject, but the subject headings below do not contain all photos in block-numerical order. The subjects covered in the photographs include general military, the military installation at Camp Grafton, blizzards, disasters, North Dakota events, floods, scenic, and wildlife.

Return to: Military History