Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

Ensign George W. Kressbach wrote 16 letters to his family in Monroe, Michigan, while serving on the USS LCI(R)-770 in the Pacific during the spring and summer of 1945. He commented on military life, discussed his relationship with his girlfriend, responded to news from home, and briefly described his experiences while on leave.

Ensign George W. Kressbach wrote 16 letters to his family in Monroe, Michigan, while serving on the USS LCI(R)-770 in the Pacific during the spring and summer of 1945. He commented on military life, discussed his relationship with his girlfriend, responded to news from home, and briefly described his experiences while on leave.

Kressbach addressed most of his letters to his mother, Harriet ("Hattie") Nieman Kressbach, though he intended his letters to be read by the entire family. He listed the names of the locations he visited, including Eniwetok Atoll, Guam, the Philippines, and Okinawa. He provided his family with a description of Manila, including the Walled City (or Intramuros district) and the effects of recent bombing raids (July 30, 1945). Kressbach also wrote about his lodgings and meals onboard the ship, and books he had read. While stationed near Samar, Philippines, in early September, he commented briefly on the island boats and on trade between American sailors and Filipinos. In one letter to his father, he privately discussed his financial concerns. Many of Kressbach's letters contain his responses to his mother's questions, and he occasionally mentioned his girlfriend, Dorothy.

This collection consists of 18 items related to Golden J. Wallis of the United States Navy and his wife Roberta, natives of Memphis, Tennessee. Wallis wrote 10 love letters and 1 telegram to his wife while serving onboard the USS Missouri in 1944 and 1945, and they received 4 additional letters and telegrams from friends and family. Other items are an invitation, a church program, and an unidentified wedding photograph.

This collection consists of 12 letters, 3 telegrams, 2 printed items, and 1 photograph related to Golden J. Wallis ("Goldie") and his wife Roberta, natives of Memphis, Tennessee. Golden Wallis wrote 10 love letters and 1 telegram to his wife while serving onboard the USS Missouri in 1944 and 1945, and the Wallises received 4 additional letters and telegrams from friends and family. Other items are an invitation, a church program, and an unidentified wedding photograph.

In his letters to his wife, Goldie Wallis commented on their separation and expressed his love for her; he also discussed their financial situation, including his attempts to secure her an apartment in New York City. Wallis mentioned traveling to Pacific islands and shared his relief after censorship regulations eased in September 1945. His telegram to Roberta of November 28, 1944, concerns his 3-week leave in San Francisco, California. Roberta Wallis also received 2 birthday telegrams (undated). Golden Wallis's sister, Faye Wallis, wrote 1 letter (undated), as did Billy Burk, an acquaintance who taught school in Clarksdale, Mississippi (April 7, 1943).

The collection also contains a printed invitation requesting Roberta Wallis's attendance at the Missouri's commissioning ceremony on June 11, 1944; a program for a church service held onboard the Missouri on March 25, 1945; and an undated photograph.

This collection is primarily made up of letters that John E. Ford sent to his mother and sisters in Athens, New York, while serving in the United States Navy between October 1917 and February 1919. Ford described his training at Pelham Bay, New York, and his service along the East Coast on the USS Indiana.

This collection (33 items) includes 32 letters that John E. Ford sent to his mother and sisters in Athens, New York, while serving in the United States Navy between October 1917 and February 1919. Ford's earliest letters pertain to his experiences at the United States Naval Training Station at Pelham Bay, New York, including his military education and leisure activities. After December 12, 1917, he wrote from the USS Indiana, discussing the ship's movements along the East Coast and describing his activities while on shore leave. On one occasion, he participated in a military parade at Coney Island, New York (May 19, 1918). In late 1918, Ford referred to the influenza epidemic, which led to the closure of public spaces in several southern locations. Ford sometimes wrote on YMCA and Knights of Columbus stationery; one letterhead contains a picture of a man lying in a hammock with the caption "All Night In and Beans for Breakfast" (October 7, 1918). The collection also includes an undated letter from John's brother Lawrence (or Laurence) to their sister Florence about his life in Crescent, New York.

This collection is made up of letters that John Frederick Smith wrote to his wife while stationed on the USS Wasatch in the South Pacific during World War II. He commented primarily on news of their young daughter, Bonnie, and on his love for his family.

This collection is made up of letters that John Frederick Smith wrote to his family from July 29, 1944-October 22, 1945, while stationed on the USS Wasatch in the South Pacific. He commented on news of their young daughter, Bonnie, and on his love for his family.

Smith addressed 66 of the 68 complete letters to his wife and the remaining 2 to his parents. He wrote most frequently (often almost daily) from September-October 1944, from January-February 1945, and in July 1945; most of his letters are 3-5 pages long. He occasionally mentioned the weather, scenery, and his activities, though he concentrated on his love for his family and his anticipation of returning home. Smith responded to news of his daughter Bonnie's development as she learned to hold herself up and began to teethe. His letter of September 21, 1944, encloses a typed letter from H. Gorman of the Bulova Watch Company. Smith's letters to his parents (March 18, 1845, and July 15, 1945) pertain to his family and his welcome receipt of letters from home. A group of Smith's later letters is written on USS Wasatch stationery, which bears printed drawings of the ship.

This collection is made up of 27 letters that Leroy Stecker wrote to his family while serving in the United States Navy during World War II. Stecker, a seaman first class, was based at Norfolk, Virginia, and served onboard the Oceanographer in the Pacific Theater.

This collection is made up of 27 letters that Leroy Stecker wrote to his family while serving in the United States Navy during World War II. Stecker, a seaman first class, was based at Norfolk, Virginia, and served onboard the Oceanographer in the Pacific Theater. Stecker addressed his letters to his mother and stepfather in Torrance, California, and to a woman named Joan who lived with them, from July 12, 1942, to September 8, 1943. He was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, until late August, when he joined the crew of the Oceanographer, which served in the Aleutian Islands, Hawaii, and the South Pacific during the war. Stecker wrote primarily about his everyday life and discussed his meals, hobbies, and acquaintances. In Norfolk, he met a woman whose husband had gone to war, and he later discussed a relationship with a married woman, reporting her intention of getting a divorce. Stecker frequently responded to news of acquaintances from home and on one occasion offered advice for a man named "Bus," who considered joining the navy. A pencil drawing of a man in profile is enclosed in Stecker's letter of February 2, 1943.

This collection is comprised of 46 letters that Lieutenant Melville Selleck wrote to his family while serving in the United States Navy during and after World War I. He described his training, wartime service in the United States, and postwar service in northern Europe.

This collection is comprised of 46 letters that Lieutenant Melville Selleck wrote to his family while serving in the United States Navy during and after World War I. He described his training, wartime service in the United States, and postwar service in northern Europe.

Melville Selleck wrote 46 letters and telegrams to his parents, Franklin and May Selleck of Buffalo, New York, from August 29, 1917-December 31, 1920. In his earliest letters, he described his experiences at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, where he attended basic training and quartermaster's school. He discussed his daily activities, including drills, and commented on his homesickness and desire to participate in active duty. By November 1917, Selleck was stationed on the SS Sierra in the Great Lakes, and he spent much of the spring of 1918 in New York City, where he anticipated departing for Texas. He later mentioned his travels in Texas, and continued to write about his homesickness.

In September 1918, he was stationed onboard the USS William Isom in Virginia, and he was promoted to junior grade lieutenant in November 1918. Selleck's letters from early 1919 concern his training at the United States Naval Auxiliary Reserve Officer-Material School at Pelham Bay, New York. Throughout the second half of 1920, he wrote from the USS South Bend, SS Winchester, and SS Susquehanna. While onboard theSusquehanna, Selleck described travels to northern Europe and provided his impressions of Bremen, Germany, where he noted the inflation of the German mark. Enclosures include a copy of Selleck's request for a promotion, a copy of a letter of inquiry Selleck sent a potential employer, typed extracts from some of Selleck's letters, and a newspaper clipping about sailors' pay. The collection also contains one undated letter that Lawrence Selleck wrote to his family.

This collection is primarily made up of letters that Pharmacist's Mate Norman C. Stewart wrote to his girlfriend and later wife, Dorothy Seltzer of Norristown, Pennsylvania, about his experiences in the United States Navy during World War II. Stewart served at the United States Naval Hospital in Newport, Rhode Island; in Oakland, California; and in the Pacific Theater.

This collection is made up of 56 letters that Pharmacist's Mate Norman C. Stewart wrote to his girlfriend and later wife, Dorothy Seltzer of Norristown, Pennsylvania, about his experiences in the United States Navy during World War II. Stewart served at the United States Naval Hospital in Newport, Rhode Island; in Oakland, California; and in the Pacific Theater. One letter by Norman's mother Katie and two school essays by Norman's brother Mervin complete the collection.

Stewart's correspondence concerns his navy service in Rhode Island, California, and the Pacific Theater from April 12, 1942-October 27, 1945. Only 1 letter from 1944 is present. Stewart discussed his work in a hospital laboratory while at Newport, and training maneuvers while at Alameda, California.

From February 1945-October 1945, Stewart commented on his travels in the Pacific, such as visits to Hawaii and Guam. His leisure activities included reading, attending football games, and seeing movies. Stewart's later letters concern the discharge process and his anticipated return to civilian life. Throughout his military service, he wrote of his love for Dorothy.

Mervin Stewart, Norman's brother, wrote 2 school essays in September 1943: "Verbal vs. Chemical Poison," about Axis propaganda, and "Country versus City Life." Stewart's teacher made brief remarks on each essay with a red pencil.

This collection contains around 200 letters that Reginald Johnson of Webster, New York, wrote to his parents while serving in the United States Navy between 1917 and 1920. He commented extensively on military life and on his experiences while serving onboard the USS Florida in Scotland during the final months of World War I, and along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean during his postwar service.

This collection contains around 200 letters that Reginald Johnson of Webster, New York, wrote to his parents while serving in the United States Navy between 1917 and 1920. He commented extensively on military life and on his experiences while serving onboard the USS Florida in Scotland during the final months of World War I, and along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean during his postwar service.

Johnson wrote his mother about once or twice weekly throughout his time in the navy, beginning just after his enlistment in June 1917 and ending with his discharge in July 1920. He provided regular updates about daily life in the navy, while training at Newport, Rhode Island, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and while serving on the Florida during and after the war. The topics he discussed included the scenery, his activities while on liberty, and the food. He occasionally commented on his work and the ship's crew. Johnson inquired about his father's health, asked who had been drafted from his hometown, and reported meeting other sailors from the Rochester area. He shared his excitement about being able to see various parts of the world and described several of his destinations, including Edinburgh, Scotland; Guantánamo Bay, Cuba; and Colon and Panama City, Panama. While in port at Norfolk and Boston after the war, Johnson wrote about his leisure activities, compared the hospitality of the two cities toward sailors, and commented on his romantic relationship with a Boston woman.

This collection is made up of letters that Richard S. Samuels sent to his wife Sonya while serving in the United States Navy during World War II. Samuels wrote almost daily about his experiences at the Farragut Naval Training Station in northern Idaho and the Naval Landing Force Equipment Depot at Albany, California.

This collection contains correspondence and other materials pertaining to the United States Navy service of Richard S. Samuels during World War II.

The Correspondence series comprises the bulk of the collection. Private W. Robert Liphardt, Jr. ("Wally") wrote 4 letters to Richard and "Gussie" Samuels from August 20, 1942-January 13, 1943. Originally from Berwyn, Illinois, he was a member of the 340th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Squadron, and served at United States Army Air Forces bases in Colorado and South Carolina.

Most items are letters that Richard S. Samuels sent to Sonya and Susan ("Push") Samuels, his wife and baby daughter, from February 3, 1944-November 14, 1945. His earliest letters concern his journey from Los Angeles to northern Idaho, where he trained at Camp Waldron. He regularly composed 2-4-page letters about his love for his family and his experiences at the Farragut naval base, including his attempts to earn an electrician's rating. Samuels listed his equipment and commented on daily activities such as inspections and drill.

After July 1944, he wrote from Albany, California, where he was an electrician for the Naval Landing Force Equipment Depot. Samuels shared anecdotes from his work and mentioned his frequent visits to Berkeley, California, where he often posted his letters. Some letters pertain to his finances and his attempts to rent an apartment near Albany. Samuels and other naval personnel regularly attended movie screenings, and he sometimes offered his opinions of the films. In every letter, Samuels wrote of his love for his wife, and he usually commented on his daughter's health and developmental progress. A Thanksgiving Day menu, decorated with a cartoon of a sailor and a turkey, is enclosed in his letter of November 25, 1944. Samuels often used stationery from the United States Navy, the Farragut Naval Training Station, and the Naval Landing Force Equipment Depot, and most of his letters have sketches of hearts pierced with arrows.

In addition to Samuels's letters, the collection has Documents and Ephemera from the World War II era, such as an unlabeled black patch with a white circle, a vending machine card with a picture of Joan Davis, a booklet about the Farragut Naval Training Station, and ten copies of a portrait of a sailor in his U.S. Navy uniform, one of which has an affectionate personal inscription on the back. Fourteen copies of the Farragut News are dated March 9, 1944-July 20, 1944, and contain news and photographs from the naval installation.

The Robert Eugene Davis Letters comprise eight letters (with seven envelopes) written by Seaman First Class Robert Eugene Davis home from the USS Philip (Pacific Theater) to his father, Oscar L. Davis of Anderson, Indiana, during the last year of World War II (September 1944-September 1945).

The Robert Eugene Davis Letters comprise eight letters (with seven envelopes) written by Seaman First Class Robert Eugene Davis home from the USS Philip (Pacific Theater) to his father, Oscar L. Davis of Anderson, Indiana, during the last year of World War II (September 1944-September 1945).

Davis's letters are brief providing updates regarding the ship's engagement in battles off the coasts of the Philippines and Indonesia. Several of the letters are written to or mention "Bert." Bert is likely Bertha Davis (1896-1987), née Bertha Moody or Bertha Elder. She married Oscar Davis in St. Louis, Missouri, in March 1943.

Please see the box and folder listing below for details about each letter.