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

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 consists of 883 letters, documents, an orderly book, printed items, and other materials concerning revolutionary conflicts in Cuba and the Philippines, American involvement particularly, dating largely from the 1890s-1900s. This collection's contents include detailed information from Cuban and Philippine revolutionaries at home and in exile; U.S. Army activities related especially to the Spanish-American War, Philippine-American War, and postwar occupations; American, Cuban, Filipino, and Spanish consular and governmental officials; and civilians (including families of U.S. Army soldiers' and sailors' family members) involved in the events.

This collection consists of 883 letters, documents, an orderly book, printed items, and other materials concerning revolutionary conflicts in Cuba and the Philippines, American involvement particularly, dating largely from the 1890s-1900s. This collection's contents include detailed information from Cuban and Philippine revolutionaries at home and in exile; U.S. Army activities related especially to the Spanish-American War, Philippine-American War, and postwar occupations; American, Cuban, Filipino, and Spanish consular and governmental officials; and civilians (including families of U.S. Army soldiers' and sailors' family members) involved in the events.

Please see the box and folder listing in this finding aid for extensive, detailed descriptions of items and groups of items in the Revolutionary Cuba and Philippines Collection.

This collection contains 201 letters that Lieutenant William P. Jones of Scranton, Pennsylvania, wrote to his wife Ruth while serving on the USS Memphis during World War II. Jones commented on navy life and described his travels in South America, the Caribbean, North Africa, and Europe. The collection also includes navy bulletins and newsletters, an essay, and photographs.

This collection contains 201 letters that Lieutenant William P. Jones of Scranton, Pennsylvania, wrote to his wife Ruth while serving on the USS Memphis during World War II. Jones commented on navy life and his travels in South America, the Caribbean, North Africa, and Europe. The collection also includes navy bulletins and newsletters, an essay, and photographs.

The Correspondence series consists of letters from William P. Jones to his wife Ruth, dated March 8, 1944-October 13, 1945; some of the letters form numbered series, which Jones restarted after his occasional visits home. Jones joined the crew of the Memphis in late March 1944 and remained with the ship until at least October 1945, when he anticipated his return to the United States. He described navy life and some of his travels, though censorship regulations frequently prevented him from sharing his specific location. After censorship restrictions eased in 1945, he recounted his visits to cities in North Africa and Europe, particularly in Italy and France. He also mentioned his leisure activities, which included baseball and shipboard movie screenings.

The Documents, Newsletters, and Writings series contains printed and manuscript materials. Two sets of daily orders issued in March 1944 and an intelligence report dated March 25, 1944, relate to the USS Antaeus. A menu for a dinner onboard the Memphis on July 4, 1944, is illustrated with a drawing of the ship, and the ship's daily orders for December 25, 1944, are illustrated with a picture of a sleeping sailor dreaming of Christmas morning at home. The series also includes a printed program for a religious service (July 9, 1944) and undated orders for United States Navy sailors arriving at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The series contains 2 undated manuscript items: a set of notes about malaria and a "Dissertation on Reporting to a U.S. Navy Ship."

The Photographs series is comprised of 18 black-and-white snapshots depicting Naples, Rome, and Pompeii, Italy; Cannes, France; Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt; and United States Navy personnel. One picture shows a Christmas party held onboard the USS Memphis. Some photographs are mounted on thicker stock, with printed details about their locations.