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

This collection is made up of 56 letters that members of the United States Army, United States Navy, and United States Coast Guard wrote to Shirley Kunz of Chicago, Illinois, during World War II.

This collection is made up of 56 letters that members of the United States Army, United States Navy, and United States Coast Guard wrote to Shirley Kunz of Chicago, Illinois, during World War II.

Kunz's early correspondents included Frank S. Kunz, Jr., who discussed his service in the United States Coast Guard at the Manhattan Beach Training Station in Brooklyn, New York, and near New Smyrna Beach, Florida; and Jos. L. Bussa, who trained at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in llinois. Frank Kunz later wrote from New Guinea and the Philippines, where he commented on postwar destruction. Henry A. Petru ("Hank") of the United States Army's 335th Infantry Regiment wrote to Kunz after 1943; he reminisced about an outing with Kunz and her friend Dolores, mentioned his involvement in engineering school and his glider training, and commented on his combat experiences in France and Germany, where he was wounded in late 1944. Some of Petru's letters enclose drafts of Kunz's responses. Richard C. Hoover ("Dick") wrote to Kunz from 1944-1946, discussing his attempts to earn a rating, his enjoyment of football and bowling, and his family's health. He provided updates about his mother's medical treatments, and shared news of her death in February 1946.

Kunz's other correspondents included Russel E. Sorensen and Harvey J. Hopsicker, who both served in the United States Navy's medical corps at San Diego, California; and William B. Vogel, a mutual friend of Hank Petru. She also received letters from Ray Warczynski, who served onboard the SS City of Grand Rapids, and from a correspondent, "Le Roy," who commented on his high school schedule in McHenry, Illinois. Some letters are written on stationery depicting the logos of United States military bases; other letterheads show Jesus Christ, a cartoon sailor with radio equipment, and the SS City of Grand Rapids. Shirley Kunz drew a picture of a foot in her letter to Hank Petru of July 26, 1943.

The Roland F. Kerner papers contain correspondence, documents, printed items, and ephemera pertaining to Kerner's service in the United States Marine Corps and Seabees during World War II. He wrote letters to his mother and received letters from his fiancée while he was serving in the Pacific. The additional items concern various aspects of his military service.

The Roland F. Kerner papers are made up of correspondence, documents, printed items, and ephemera pertaining to Kerner's service in the United States Marine Corps and Seabees during World War II. The Correspondence series (256 items), which includes manuscript and typed letters, V-mail, telegrams, and postcards, contains Kerner's incoming and outgoing correspondence with his mother and his fiancée. From November 1942-May 1945, Kerner wrote to his widowed mother about his travels, training schedule, leisure activities, and military duties in the United States and the Pacific Theater. He also commented on her work and encouraged her not to overexert herself. Occasionally, Kerner mentioned developments in the war, such as the D-Day invasions. In a letter of September 7, 1943, he discussed island residents' desire to marry off their daughters to American soldiers, and his letter of April 1, 1945, reports his courtship with and engagement to Louise Stevens. Kerner wrote infrequently after May 1945, when he again went overseas; his later letters concern his travels in the Pacific and, in one case, a conflict with his brother-in-law, Paul Dieter (October 1, 1945).

From May 1945-October 1945, most items are love letters from Louise Stevens to Roland F. Kerner. She wrote about her daily life and social activities in Wheaton, Illinois, and shared her joy after hearing about the end of the war. Her letter of September 29, 1945, is written on illustrated stationery celebrating the Allied victory, and at least two of her letters enclose photographs. Far less frequently, Kerner received letters from his mother and sister, who wrote about housework and family life. Ray [Bilter], another soldier, wrote a letter about his experiences in Germany near the end of the war and shared his negative opinion of Germans after seeing concentration camps (April 29, 1945).

The Documents and Reports series (24 items) is made up of receipts, military records, and other items pertaining to Roland F. Kerner, such as a receipt for work on his car (June 2, 1942), a document about Kerner's approved leave of absence from the navy (May 17, 1945), documents about his eligibility for postwar education benefits (April 23, 1946), and 5 lists of naval personnel. An undated form about Kerner's military service encloses photographs of him in uniform.

The Printed Items series (21 items) mostly contains newspapers and clippings, often about the Pacific Theater of the war. Issues of Yank, the West Chicago Press, and servicemen's informal newsletters are included. Other items are two books with religious devotions and a map of the Pacific Ocean. The Ephemera series (15 items) consists of 4 wage slips, a letter fragment, photographs, 5 photographic postcards of scenes from Melbourne, Australia, and other items.

The Harry Miller papers consist of letters that Miller wrote to Jane Cline, a friend, while serving in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

The Harry Miller papers consist of letters that Miller wrote to Jane Cline, a friend, while serving in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

Miller wrote 4 letters while stationed at bases in the United States between August 24, 1942, and [October 1, 1944], in which he primarily discussed his leisure activities and his ambitions to become an officer. He attended classes and often joked that he was following Jane's lead in returning to school. The remaining correspondence is from Miller's service in India and China between November 1944 and December 1945. His growing romantic affection for Jane, whom he frequently addressed as "Darling" or "Dearest," is evident, and he expressed his hope that she might reciprocate his feelings one day. His letter of April 29, 1945, contains a discussion about possible Allied treatment of Germany and Japan after a presumed Allied victory. Miller continued to write until the end of 1945, detailing his adventures both on and off base in East Asia. Of particular interest is his lengthy reminiscence of a trip he took with a friend to explore a Buddhist temple outside of Kunming, China (September 5, [1945]). By December 1945, he anticipated his return to the United States and his continuing romantic pursuit of Jane.

This collection is made up of Robert Preston's letters to his parents about his service in the United States Navy during World War II. Preston repaired aircraft and supervised metal shops at the Norfolk Air Station and on Chincoteague Island, Virginia.

This collection (87 items) contains 83 letters, 1 postcard, and 1 telegram that Robert Preston sent to his mother and stepfather, Eva and Frank Lakewitz of Baltimore, Maryland, from March 5, 1942-April 20, 1943, while serving in the United States Navy, as well as 1 letter from his wife Dotty (April 24, 1942). The final item is a photographic greeting card with an informal portrait of a man and woman (January 10, 1945).

Robert Preston wrote about his arrival at Norfolk, Virginia; his work repairing airplanes and supervising metal shops at Norfolk Air Station and Chincoteague Island, Virginia; and other aspects of his daily life. He sometimes mentioned his wife and their young daughter Mary Jane. In his letter of September 5, 1942, he noted that some money had been stolen out of his wallet, and, on September 19, 1942, he reported that the culprit had been dishonorably discharged and sentenced to 5 years in prison. Preston occasionally flew in military aircraft. He described fatal crashes in his letters of November 15, 1942; February 21, 1943; and April 4, 1943.

Preston wrote 2 early letters on stationery with printed paintings of navy vessels and aircraft and sent his mother an illustrated Mother's Day telegram from Western Union (undated). Some of his letters and envelopes have cartoonish drawings of sailors or other men (December 29, 1942, et al.). He drew a diagram of part of a car (October 22, 1942) and a picture of an airplane instrument he built (October 26, 1942).

The Robert Sklarz collection is made up of letters that Sklarz, a staff sergeant in the United States Army Air Forces, wrote to his family while serving in the United States, New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan during and after World War II. Sklarz commented on aspects of military life such as his training, leisure activities, and rations.

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.

The Solinske-Walter correspondence is primarily made up of letters that Sergeant James Solinske exchanged with his fiancée, Virginia Walter, while serving in England with the 52nd General Hospital during World War II.

The Solinske-Walter correspondence is primarily made up of letters that Sergeant James Solinske exchanged with his fiancée, Virginia Walter ("Ginny"), while serving in England with the 52nd General Hospital during World War II.

The Correspondence series, which comprises the bulk of the collection, consists of the couple's almost-daily letters to one another throughout their wartime separation, which include V-mail letters and picture postcards of Syracuse, New York. Solinske and Walter primarily discussed their daily lives and plans for their forthcoming marriage, and occasionally commented on war news, particularly around the end of the war. One letter refers to the ethics of killing German prisoners of war (February 25, 1945). The series also has a postcard book from Alexandria, Louisiana, where Solinske was stationed during his training.

The Photographs series contains 4 unlabeled black and white photographs; 2 depict men in World War II-era military uniforms.

The Scrapbook contains war-era newspaper clippings, often with jokes or humorous cartoons, and greeting cards from James Solinske to Ginny Walter. Though the couple were not yet married, he often addressed her as his "wife."

The collection's 2 Field Manuals are entitled Military Courtesy and Discipline (June 15, 1942) and First Aid for Soldiers (April 7, 1943).

The final series contains approximately 100 cancelled World War II-era Stamps. Many of the cancellation stamps encourage readers to purchase war bonds.

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 is made up of four love letters by Private First Class Ruben Hammer of the United States Army, written while stationed at Camp Howze, Texas, to Mrs. Ruth McCall of Dallas, Texas. The letters mostly pertain to when Hammer will have leave to visit McCall again and to previous romantic encounters.

This collection is made up of four love letters by Private Ruben Hammer of the United States Army, written while stationed at Camp Howze, Texas, to Mrs. Ruth McCall of Dallas, Texas. The letters mostly pertain to when Hammer will have leave to visit McCall again and to previous romantic encounters.

The letters are dated October 29, 1942; January 22, 1943; February 20, 1944; and January 10, 1945.

The Hammer-McCall letters were acquired as part of the Jennie Nutter Correspondence, but they do not appear to relate to the Nutter materials.

This collection is made up of letters that brothers Edward K. Burdette, Jr. ("Ken"), and Huddleston York Burdette ("York") wrote to their parents during their service in the United States military during World War II. Ken served in the army and York served in the coast guard. Each wrote primarily about their everyday experiences and upcoming assignments.

This collection is made up of letters that brothers Edward K. Burdette, Jr. ("Ken"), and Huddleston York Burdette ("York") wrote to their parents during their service in the United States military during World War II. Ken served in the army and York served in the coast guard. Each wrote primarily about their everyday experiences and upcoming assignments.

Ken Burdette wrote the first 5 letters ([June 2, 1942]-August 2, 1943), often commenting on his various instructional assignments and personal news. In his first letter, he asked his father for an opinion on his girlfriend Mary, whom he later married. After his wedding, he occasionally referred to domestic affairs, such as the couple's search for housing near Washington, D.C., and the high cost of living there (September 11, 1942). He also mentioned Mary's sightseeing in New York City (August 2, 1943). In one later letter, which encloses a memorandum with a religious joke, he discussed an upcoming cross-country train trip from San Francisco to Augusta, Georgia (January 25, 1945).

York Burdette wrote 7 letters to his parents from [September 13, 1945]-[October 29, 1945], primarily about life in the coast guard, his friends, and finances. He trained at the United States Coast Guard Training Station in St. Augustine, Florida, and served near New Orleans, Louisiana, and Pensacola, Florida. While in Louisiana, he often took leave in New Orleans, though he found it difficult to enjoy the city on a limited budget ([November 13, 1943]). In his final letter, he wrote of the various ships in port for the Navy Day celebrations.

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.