Robert Sklarz collection, 1942-1945
0.75 linear feet
The Robert Sklarz collection (0.75 linear feet) is made up of letters that Sklarz wrote to his family while serving in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
The Correspondence series, which comprises the bulk of the collection, contains letters that Sklarz wrote to his family from October 1942-January 1945 and from July 1945-December 1945. He most frequently addressed his letters to his parents, Milton and Elsie Sklarz; he also wrote to his grandparents, Benedict and Mary Schwarz, who lived with the Sklarz family in Brooklyn, New York. The early letters pertain to Sklarz's experiences at training facilities in the United States, where he commented on drills, classes, and his travels between bases. He occasionally mentioned specific exercises, such as gas mask drills, obstacle courses, and rifle training, and discussed his pay, expenses, and food. While stationed in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sklarz reported on acquaintances in the Women's Army Corps and Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service.
From July 1944 until the end of the war, Sklarz discussed his experiences in New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies, the Philippines, and Okinawa. Sklarz occasionally referred to his participation in battle, but mainly discussed everyday aspects of military life; he mentioned hearing Tokyo Rose broadcasts, visiting the beach, and meeting Australian soldiers. After July 1945, Sklarz was stationed in the Philippines, Okinawa, and Japan, where he commented on the food, the discharge system, and his unit. The majority of items are manuscript letters; the collection also contains V-mail letters and picture postcards. One group of postcards that Sklarz sent to an acquaintance in New York contains cartoons about military life; the collection also contains a set of 4 unused postcards from Japan.
The Regalia series (7 items) contains World War II-era military ribbons.