Collection Guide
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Fitzgerald, Mary G. (Second World War and Korean War correspondence)
2015.113.w.r
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Mary G. Fitzgerald Second World War and Korean War correspondence
source:
St. Clair, Rae Ann
Identifier/Call Number: 2015.113.w.r
Physical Description:
.833 Linear Feet
(2 document-boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1914 November - 1957 July 18
Date (bulk): 1942 - 1957
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence written to Mary G. Fitzgerald from various senders during the Second World War. Also
included are a book of letters on CD, photographs, a baby book, and various periodicals.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWII 57
Container: 1-26
Container: 1-26
Container: WWII 58
Container: 1-11
Container: 27-37
Container: Oversize 1
Container: 9
Container: 2015-113-w-r_Fitzgerald
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Rae Ann St. Clair (rec'd. October 2015).
This collection is arranged by type and date:
- Series 1, Correspondence to Mary G. Fitzgerald
- Series 2, Periodicals
- Series 3, Photographs
- Series 4, Newspaper clippings
- Series 5, Ephemera
- Series 6, Baby book
Mary Gains Fitzgerald, Teacher, 1909 - ?
[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Mary G. Fitzgerald Second World War correspondence (2015.133.w.r), Center for American
War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this
collection, including permanent URL's, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
This collection contains correspondence written to Mary Gain Fitzgerald from several of her former students during both World
War Two and the Korean War.
Mary was an English teacher at Heatly High School in Green Island, NY. As one of her former pupils states: ". . . the guys
on the ship here can't get over me writing to my school teacher. I guess they never had a teach like you . . ." (Carlie G.
Whitaker, letter dated 13 March, 1952). Mrs. Fitzgerald--occasionally referred to as "Fitzy"--seems to have made quite an
impression on several of her students, keeping in touch with them after they had joined the service.
Most of the letters include the tidbits from the soldiers' day-to-day lives (training, leave, work, etc.) and questions about
the folks back home. In one letter, however, a former student, Francis X. Howle, Jr., reflects on an essay he was required
to write for Mrs. Fitzgerald's class: "I remember once you had us write an essay on 'Americanism', now after actual experience,
I know just what we were trying to bring out in that essay" (letter dated 7 June, 1944). He goes on to describe the environment
of comradery and support he witnessed in a locker room after a boxing match put on by and for the servicemen: "In the room
were the men who only a few minites [sic] before were throwing hooks, jabs and uppercuts at each other . . . each one was
advising the of [sic] his shortcomings, giving him some ring advice and every soldier present was telling his former opponent
what a great guy he was and what a swell fight he put up . . . At that moment, I wished the whole world could be looking in
and listening . . . That, lady, is good sportsmanship. And more than that, its Americanism."
Also included in this collection are several periodicals, newspaper clippings, and photographs as well as a baby book belonging
to John F. Gain, Jr., Mary's brother.
There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the
responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War (1939-1945)
World War (1939-1945) -- Homefront
Korean War, 1950-1953.
Korean War -- (1950-1953) -- Correspondence
Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945
St. Clair, Rae Ann
Fitzgerald, Mary Gain, 1909 - ?