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

This collection is made up of letters addressed to Doris M. Fletcher of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, during World War II. Her most frequent correspondent was her boyfriend, Harold R. Bertholf of the merchant marine; she also received letters from "Wayne," a soldier serving in Italy, and Marie Babilis, a resident of Detroit, Michigan, who mourned Wayne's death in 1944.

This collection is made up of 40 letters addressed to Doris M. Fletcher of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, during World War II. Harold R. Bertholf wrote 35 letters to Doris, his girlfriend, from July 5, 1944-January 7, 1946. He discussed aspects of his service in the merchant marine, including travels between unnamed ports, leisure activities, and his anticipation of being assigned to a new ship. In several letters, he reassured Doris of his dedication to her and mentioned the possibility of marriage. After spending time at sea in 1944, Bertholf went to New London, Connecticut, where he took classes at the United States Maritime Service Officers' School at Fort Trumbull. He was stationed in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Houston, Texas, before receiving future assignments. From December 1945-January 1946, he worked for Christopher Gadsden and Street Brothers of Charleston, South Carolina.

Doris M. Fletcher's other wartime correspondents included "Wayne," a member of the United States Army who wrote 3 letters to Doris in June and July 1944. He briefly described Rome and mentioned his growing boredom with army life. After his death on July 19, 1944, Doris received 2 letters from Marie Babilis of Detroit, Michigan, who had been close to Wayne. She reflected on Wayne's death and requested that Doris ask a mutual friend to share details about the accident that killed him.