Collections

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 the incoming and outgoing World War II-era correspondence of John T. McHale, Jr., of Washington, D.C., and his wife, Betty Jane Henery of Zanesville, Ohio. John wrote to Betty while serving in the United States Army Air Forces, and the couple received letters from family members, servicemen, and Betty's female acquaintances.

This collection is made up of the incoming and outgoing World War II-era correspondence of John T. McHale, Jr., of Washington, D.C., and his wife, Betty Jane Henery of Zanesville, Ohio. John wrote around 220 letters to Betty while serving in the United States Army Air Forces, and Betty wrote about 50 letters to John about her experiences while he was away. The couple also received letters from family members, servicemen, and Betty's female acquaintances.

The bulk of the collection is comprised of Correspondence, particularly the letters that John T. and Betty McHale exchanged during the war. Their letters document several aspects of their relationship, including the effects of lengthy periods of separation. In his early letters (April 1943-September 1943), John T. McHale commented on aspects of military life and training at various stations in the United States, and Betty initially wrote about her experiences in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she was a member of an orchestra. From October 1944-October 1945, McHale wrote from Hawaii, New Guinea, and the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), where he was a pilot with the 7th Combat Cargo Squadron, Fifth Air Force. He mentioned the "Tokyo Rose" radio broadcasts and frequent bombing raids by Japanese planes. In March 1945, his squadron celebrated the birth of his son. By the summer of 1945, McHale was stationed in the Philippines, where he noticed the destructive effects of the war on Manila, and he was later based in Okinawa and at the Yokota Army Airfield near Tokyo. In October 1945, he anticipated his return to the United States.

John T. and Betty McHale received letters from many correspondents during the war, particularly from their parents and from Betty's female friends from her time in Albuquerque. Marvel Goodman and others commented on their lives after their orchestra dispersed in 1943. Infrequent postwar letters from acquaintances are dated as late as 1948, and Andrew H. Henery sent a birth announcement for his son in 1952.

Receipts and Ephemera include greeting cards, a church program, birth announcements for John T. McHale III, receipts, a financial voucher, and a list of postwar addresses for a group of military officers.

This collection is made up of over 170 letters that Staff Sergeant Lawson L. Lindberg wrote to his fiancé (and later wife), Elsa Kunze (referred to as "Dorothy" or "Dottie"), while serving in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Lindberg described camp life and his training exercises in the United States, and also wrote about his service in the Pacific Theater during the final year of the war.

This collection is made up of over 170 letters that Staff Sergeant Lawson L. Lindberg ("Lucky") wrote to his wife, Elsa Kunze (referred to as "Dorothy" or "Dottie"), while serving in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Lindberg described camp life and his training exercises in the United States, and also wrote about his service in the Pacific Theater during the final year of the war.

Lindberg wrote his first letter shortly after enlistment in December 1941; he commented on his experiences at the Marine Corps Base in San Diego, California, until April 1942, when he was transferred to Camp Elliot, California. At Camp Elliot, where he was a drill instructor, he discussed his unsuccessful attempt to transfer to the Air Corps. Lindberg spent the majority of the war in New River, North Carolina, and Camp Pendleton, California, where he trained with the 23rd Marine Regiment. He described aspects of camp life and military exercises, which included grenade training, rifle training, and large-scale maneuvers. He also reported his punishments after returning late from two furloughs.

Lindberg wrote about his love for Kunze, whom he married while on leave in August 1942; on one occasion, he shared his opinion that she should return to housekeeping after the war, despite having earned several promotions at her wartime job (March 11, 1943). Lindberg wrote less frequently after his deployment to the Pacific Theater in late January 1944, where he served in the Marshall Islands, Iwo Jima, and Saipan in multiple units, including the 5th 155mm Howitzer battalion. Lindberg's letters from overseas often pertain to strained relationships with his family members, including his mother and his older brother, Jack. In his final 2 letters, written from a transient center in October 1945, Lindberg anticipated his return to the United States.

Two of Lindberg's letters contain enclosures: a sexually explicit poem (November 22, 1943) and a photographic negative (July 8, 1945). Kunze also received several telegrams and V-mail letters, as well as a birthday card. Some of Lindberg's letters are written on United States Marine Corps stationery, depicting associated logos and a marine in dress uniform with a rifle.

This collection contains letters that Wilfrid MacDonald and his family wrote about their lives in China in the 1930s, as well as letters that Constance Stone wrote to Elsie S. MacDonald and others about her service as a medical volunteer in the Pacific during World War II.

This collection (0.25 linear feet) contains letters that Wilfrid MacDonald and his family wrote about their lives in China in the 1930s, as well as letters that Constance Stone wrote to Elsie S. MacDonald and others about her service as a medical volunteer in the Pacific during World War II.

Wilfrid MacDonald, his wife Mabel, and their daughters Catharine and Ruth wrote 7 letters to Howard G. MacDonald of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from January 25, 1931-November 16, 1940. The MacDonalds commented on life in China; Wilfrid often mentioned religion, international politics, and the economic crisis in the United States. One letter includes a sketch of a "Valentine" [a person]. In her letter of December 7, 1937, Mabel MacDonald described hearing air raid sirens during the Japanese invasion of China.

Constance E. Stone ("Connie") wrote 32 manuscript and V-mail letters to her former roommates Maxine La Bounty ("Max") and Elsie MacDonald ("Sigh") from September 1943-April 28, 1945. Stone volunteered for the American Red Cross and served at hospitals in Australia and New Guinea, including the 84th Station Hospital and 43rd Field Hospital. She shared news of her life in the Pacific and occasionally discussed her work; in December 1943, Stone sent her friends a Christmas greeting with a drawing of Mickey Mouse's dog Pluto standing over an Axis helmet. Stone wrote at least one letter on captured paper.

Additional correspondence includes a letter that Annie MacDonald of Knoxville, Tennessee, received from her cousin (January 5, 1930); 2 letters that Maxine La Bounty received from Emmy Lou Heald, a Red Cross volunteer; and a letter and Chinese Christmas card that Elsie MacDonald received from her cousin, Jean MacDonald Thomas. Ephemeral items include a military pass issued to Emmett J. Larkin and a billet and ration card.

This collection is made up of over 100 letters that Jewish Corporal Milton Schneider wrote to his girlfriend, Miriam Tarlow of Brooklyn, New York, while serving in the United States Army during World War II. He wrote about their relationship and about his experiences in Hawaii and Saipan.

This collection is made up of over 100 letters that Jewish Corporal Milton Schneider wrote to his girlfriend, Miriam Tarlow of Brooklyn, New York, while serving in the United States Army during World War II. He wrote about their relationship and about his experiences in Hawaii and Saipan.

Schneider's letters, dated October 27, 1943-June 3, 1945, cover his time in Hawaii (October 1943-July 1944) and Saipan (July 1944-June 1945) as a member of the 103rd Ordnance Company. He wrote about his love for Tarlow and anticipated their possible marriage after his return to the United States. While in Hawaii, he noted the monotony of military life but mentioned his leisure activities, such as attending football games. He also responded to Tarlow's news of her life in Brooklyn. After Schneider's arrival on Saipan, he complained about the living conditions and shared anecdotes about some of his experiences, such as a tent-mate's capture of a Japanese soldier. One V-mail message from Schneider to Tarlow is a hand-drawn Rosh Hashanah greeting, with some text in Hebrew (September 1944). Particularly after Schneider’s deployment to Saipan, many of the envelopes contain multiple letters, and occasionally Schneider made other enclosures, such as a blank Japanese postcard and a newspaper clipping on the "Hillercopter" in two letter bundles from September 1944. Miriam Tarlow also received V-mail messages from Orlando Coppola of the 75th Engineer Light Pontoon Company (March 5, 1944) and military chaplain Joseph H. Lief. Other items are a telegram from Schneider (September 30, 1943) and Miriam's membership card for the Union Health Center.

This collection is made up of the World War II-era correspondence of Norma Greiner, her husband William R. Kent, and the Greiner family. The papers include letters that Norma Greiner wrote to her family while serving as a United States Navy nurse in San Francisco, California, in 1943; letters that William R. Kent wrote to his wife Norma while serving onboard the USS Cape Esperance in the South Pacific from August 1944-November 1944; letters that the Greiner family received from various servicemen during the war; and letters that Norma Greiner Kent received from her mother- and sister-in-law.

This collection (79 items) contains the World War II-era correspondence of Norma Greiner of La Grande, Oregon; her husband, William R. Kent; and the Greiner family. One receipt pertains to a small payment from Mrs. R. C. Greiner to C. E. Branner (July 9, 1942).

Norma Greiner wrote 38 letters to her parents while working as a United States Navy nurse at Treasure Island, San Francisco, California, in 1943. She described her experiences treating wounded servicemen and sometimes provided details about specific patients. In one letter, she discussed a set of photographs shown to her by an officer returning from Guadalcanal (February 13, 1943, mailed with letter dated February 11, 1943), and in another, she described her wedding (August 3, 1943). Some letters refer to Greiner's dating life and several from late July and early August concern her marriage to William R. Kent. Her final letter, dated February 19, 1945, pertains to life in San Diego, California. Three of her letters have enclosures: a newspaper clipping about nurses (March 15, 1943), 4 snapshots of natives in an unidentified location (May 27, 1943), and bicycle licenses for Norma Grider [sic] and Wanda Tucker (June 4, 1942). One item is an illustrated printed form letter 2'8" long, including grains of sand glued to one page, that Norma sent to her brother Lawrence (March 27, 1943).

William R. Kent sent 26 letters to his wife Norma Greiner Kent while serving on the USS Cape Esperance in the South Pacific from August 1944-November 1944; these letters form part of a much larger series (not present). Kent discussed navy life, anticipated the birth of their first child, and counted down the days remaining in his enlistment. While stationed on an unidentified island, he described his health difficulties, including a sprained ankle and a diminished appetite, and responded to Norma's news of her hospital work and pregnancy. He mentioned his initiation as a "shell back" after crossing the Equator and encloses a humorous mock subpoena for a related ceremony (August 14-15, 1944). On October 19, 1944, Kent reflected on the death of a friend named Hallowell, enclosing his obituary. Other enclosures include letters and V-mail from the Kent family (September 20, 1944; September 29, 1944; and October 15, 1944); 3 snapshot photographs of an unidentified man with a dog and horse (September 14, 1944); a notice that his subscription to Parents' Magazine would soon expire (September 14, 1944); a cartoon (October 16, 1944); and a list of recommended Bible verses (November 19, 1944). Norma also received letters from her sister-in-law, "Jay" Kent, and from her mother-in-law, Helen Kent.

In addition to Norma's letters, the Greiner family received correspondence from William R. Kent (1 item, March 22, 1945) and other servicemen. Private Dale Greiner, a relative, wrote about his experiences while training with the United States Air Forces in Miami Beach, Florida, and Gulfport, Mississippi; David G. Weathers wrote twice of his love for Norma (April 4, 1943, and July 11, 1943); Norman E. Olson mentioned his participation in naval campaigns near the Philippines on the USS Heywood (February 27, 1945); and Private Chester J. Hoab discussed tank training at Fort Knox, Kentucky (ca. March 25, 1943). Private Bryce E. Miller wrote his letter of March 4, 1943, on stationery bearing printed images of military aircraft.

This collection is made up of about 400 letters Robert Showalter Hutto and his wife Eva exchanged while he served as a pharmacist's mate onboard the USS Joseph T. Dickman between January and October 1945. Eva wrote around 200 letters between December 31, 1944, and August 4, 1945, and Robert responded with approximately 200 letters, written between January 1, 1945, and October 19, 1945. Eva shared news of her social life and her experiences running the couple's pharmacy in Kokomo, Indiana, and Robert described aspects of military life and, particularly after the Japanese surrender, his movements around the Pacific.

This collection is made up of about 400 letters Robert Showalter Hutto and his wife Eva exchanged while he served as a pharmacist's mate onboard the USS Joseph T. Dickman between January and October 1945. Eva wrote around 200 letters between December 31, 1944, and August 4, 1945, and Robert responded, with approximately 200 letters, written between January 1, 1945, and October 19, 1945. Eva shared news of her social life and her experiences running the couple's pharmacy in Kokomo, Indiana, and Robert described aspects of military life and, particularly after the Japanese surrender, his movements around the Pacific.

Eva wrote almost daily letters that were typically between 1 and 3 pages. She met with other military spouses, discussed her religious life, and expressed her concern and love for her husband. Occasionally, she commented on national news stories, such as President Franklin Roosevelt's death (April 14, 1945) and the likelihood of German surrender (May 7, 1945). In his letters, Robert concentrated on his experiences aboard the USS Joseph T. Dickman, a hospital and transport ship, in the Pacific Theater. He initially wrote less frequently than his wife, but by mid-August 1945, he sent letters almost daily and provided her with commentary on navy life and his religious activities. Though censorship initially forced Hutto to be vague about his locations, he described the Joseph T. Dickman's travels between Boston and San Francisco in a letter dated January 17, 1945, and reported on his initiation as a "pollywog" who had traveled across the equator (February 9, 1945). On May 1, 1945, he announced that censorship had been partially lifted and that he was allowed to share some of his experiences, including travels to the New Hebrides, Guadalcanal, and Tulagi Island. In the same letter he gave a scant description of his involvement in the liberation of Okinawa. After the Japanese surrender on August 14, 1945, he openly shared his travel plans, which included trips between San Francisco and islands such as Enewetak Atoll and the Philippines. He also revealed that he had spent time in the Hawaiian Islands while the ship was being outfitted with medical facilities. After his ship anchored at Manila Harbor on September 17, 1945, he provided his impressions of the destruction around Manila, which included the sunken ships throughout its harbor. In his final letters, Hutto anticipated his discharge, which took place in mid-October.

The couple's letters reveal their affection for one another, as well as the effects of lengthy separation on their relationship. On January 20, 1945, Robert Hutto sent his wife a Valentine's Day card, and most letters end with professions of love or, on at least one occasion, a kiss from Eva marked in lipstick. Other items of interest are an anniversary card (July 16, 1945) and a card bearing a cartoon illustration of a Hawaiian dancer and a brief poem about Hawaii (June 24, 1945). Two of Eva's letters include enclosures: a piece of fabric (January 29, 1945) and a newspaper advertisement (February 7, 1945). In addition to Robert's letters, Eva received 1 letter from Captain Ward R. Kidder of the 29th Field Artillery Battalion, about his experiences in Luxembourg (December 19, 1944). The collection also holds an "Air-Speed Mail Kit" box for "feather-weight" letter paper.

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.

This collection contains 14 letters that Pharmacist's Mate Robert N. Harrington wrote to his aunt and uncle, Ella and George R. Bliss of Greenfield, Massachusetts, while serving in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He commented on life at Camp Waldron, Idaho, and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; provided a detailed account of his experiences during the Battle of Iwo Jima; and described his service in Hawaii near the end of the war.

This collection contains 14 letters that Pharmacist's Mate Robert N. Harrington wrote to his aunt and uncle, Ella and George R. Bliss of Greenfield, Massachusetts, while serving in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He commented on life at Camp Waldron, Idaho, and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; provided a detailed account of his experiences during the Battle of Iwo Jima; and described his service in Hawaii near the end of the war. The collection also holds a letter Harrington wrote while in college, a letter that the Bliss family received from a serviceman named "Bill," and an undated real photo postcard.

Harrington first wrote his aunt and uncle from Seattle, Washington, on September 28, 1942, about a recent trip to Chicago with his grandmother and about expectations for the coming school year. He sent 13 letters while serving in the United States Marine Corps between May 1943 and December 1945, and 1 on June 22, 1946, after his discharge. He wrote about military life at Camp Waldron in Farragut, Idaho, in 1943, and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, until October 1944. Among other topics, Harrington discussed his desire to enter combat and his romantic life. In one letter, he scolded his aunt for her failure to treat her diabetes properly. Two of his letters contain enclosures: newspaper clippings of a humorous military cartoon and quips (October 23, 1944), and a newspaper clipping of a column by Ernie Pyle (October 29, 1944).

Harrington arrived in the "Central Pacific" by December 1944, and he participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima in early 1945. On April 8, 1945, he wrote a 5-page letter to his relatives detailing his experiences in the battle. He commented on the size of the forces, on his pleasure at seeing the Japanese positions being bombed by navy ships and by airplanes, and on his distaste for the Japanese. He also described his experiences losing friends and treating wounded soldiers, provided details on the kinds of wounds others received, and discussed the positive effects that blood transfusions had on patients. Harrington, who had been wounded, continued to serve in Hawaii and in the Pacific until at least December 1945. He frequently described his leisure activities, and in June 1946, he shared the details of a recent trip to New York City with a friend.

The remaining 2 items are a letter that "Bill" wrote to George and Ella Bliss while serving at the New Orleans Army Air Base in December 1943, and an undated real photo postcard to Walter D. Vaughan of Clarendon, Vermont, which depicts a flag-raising ceremony.

This collection is made up of letters that Robert Pate wrote to his wife Fern about his United States Army service in Wyoming, the Hawaiian Islands, and Saipan during World War II, as well as a newsletter. Most of Pate's correspondence concerns his love for Fern and their relationship.

The Robert Pate correspondence is made up of 34 letters that Pate wrote to his wife Fern while serving in the United States Army during World War II, and a newsletter. Pate wrote 4 letters from Fort F. E. Warren, Wyoming (November 29, 1942-January 25, 1943); 5 letters from Oahu, Hawaii (February 21, 1944-April 21, 1944); and 25 letters from the Pacific Theater, mainly Saipan ([June 28, 1944]; November 12, 1944-September 20, 1945). Pate's love letters primarily concern his romantic feelings for his wife and his thoughts about their relationship. He expressed his doubts about Fern's fidelity to him in a letter of January 25, 1943, but later chastised himself for his feelings of jealousy; he also discussed his own needs, though he assured his fidelity to his wife. He briefly referred to his living conditions, health, and optimism about the war, and encouraged Fern not to worry about his safety. The collection includes an issue of The Daily Target, a newsletter for United States servicemen in the Mariana Islands (May 25, 1945). The newsletter contains articles, one-panel comics, photographs, and a map of Allied progress in the Pacific.