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Collection

Ralph L. McElderry papers, 1942-1945 (majority within 1944-1945)

0.5 linear feet

The Ralph L. McElderry papers are made up largely of the outgoing correspondence of Sgt. McElderry during his World War II service in the 3226th Ordnance Depot Company and 421st Ordnance Evacuation Company. His stateside training, work as a stock clerk and typist, and service as a Supply Noncommissioned Officer in Europe are reflected in his letters as well as supporting documents.

The Ralph L. McElderry papers are made up 224 outgoing letters of Sgt. McElderry during his World War II service in the 3226th Ordnance Depot Company and 421st Ordnance Evacuation Company, plus three drawings by Maria McElderry for her father while he was away, 11 documents, and four war ration books.

Ralph L. McElderry's Correspondence is about his everyday life during his stateside training, work as a stock clerk and typist, and service as a Supply Noncommissioned Officer in Europe.

Ralph L. McElderry wrote from the following locations:

  • Fort Sill, Lawton, Oklahoma, between March 9 and 17, 1944 (2 letters)
  • Camp Maxey, Paris, Texas, March 22-June 28, 1944 (17 letters)
  • Camp Van Doren, Centreville, Mississippi, July 6 or 7-October 4, 1944 (25 letters)
  • Camp Polk, Leesville, Louisiana, October 6, 1944-February 13, 1945 (42 letters)
  • Camp Kilmer, New Jersey—Point of Embarkation, February 25, 1945 (1 letter)
  • At Sea, March 3-6, 1945 (4 letters)
  • France, March 13, 1945-April 10, 1945 (19 letters)
  • Belgium, April 12, 1945 (1 letter)
  • Germany, April 13, 1945-June 12, 1945 (43 letters)
  • France, Camp Brooklyn, June 15, 1945-July 18, 1945 (9 letters)
  • France, San Francisco, July 18, 1945-August 2, 1945 (8 letters)
  • France, Delta Base near Marseilles, August 8, 1945-October 19, 1945 (42 letters)

The Marcia McElderry Drawings include three illustrations she drew and colored for her father while he was away in the service. One depicts a house beside four trees and a truck driving on a road; one is labeled by an adult as being a sergeant marching in his uniform beside mud and grass; and the third is a duck with a helmet on.

The Documents series includes the order for him to report for induction (September 20, 1943); his identity, education, and immunization verification, a commissary card, and papers related to his discharge in November 1945.

The four War Ration Books belonged to Iola, Andrea, and Marcia McElderry. Each of them contains remaining stamps.

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