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Disbennett, Marion T. (Second World War correspondence)
2017.014.w.r
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Marion T. Disbennett Second World War correspondence
Creator:
Disbennett, Marion Thomas
Identifier/Call Number: 2017.014.w.r
Physical Description:
.5 Linear feet
(7 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1943 July 27 - 1945 May 13
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence, photographs and biographical information from S/Sgt. Marion T. Disbennett, USAAF,
during the Second World War.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWII 60
Container: 1-7
Container: 1-7
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of William Fanning in memory of Marion and Margaret Disbennett. Copyright transferred by Norma Hooper.
This collection is arranged by material type, author and date. Series list: Series 1. Correspondence from Marion Disbennett
to Margaret Disbennett 1943-07 - 1945-05 -- Series 2. Biographical material -- Series 3. Photographs
Staff Sergeant Marion Thomas Disbennett, United States Army Air Corps was born in Bellflower, Illinois, but graduated from
high school in Orange, CA in 1937. His family was living in Orange at the time of the letters in this collection. He retired
from the U. S. Postal Service after serving in Orange for 23 years. His parents were William T. and Martha Disbennett of 330
East LaVeta St. in Orange. He had a sister, Ruth. Marion Disbennett enlisted in the Army Air Corps in March 1942 and was
discharged in September 1945. -- He married Margaret Mills in St. Louis during his service training. After radio operator
training in the United States, Disbennett served with the 40th Bombardment Group in India and China. Marion and Margaret had
two sons, Donald T. Disbennett (1945 - 1996) and James M. Disbennett (1950 - 2012).
Margaret Disbennett is the niece of Private Arthur E. Sipherd, USA (2018-138-w-r).
Background/History of 40th Bombardment Group - http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/40th_Bombardment_Group.html, https://www.40thbombgroup.org/
[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Marion T. Disbennett Second World War correspondence (2017.014.w.r), Center for American
War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.
This collection contains correspondence between SSgt. Marion Thomas Disbennett, USAAC and his wife Margaret Mills Disbennett
during the Second World War and one letter from Mrs. Clifford (Aileen) Bell to Mrs. Marion Disbennett (Jan. 8, 1945). The
collection also includes photographs of Marion and Margaret Disbennett and biographical information about them. -- Early
letters describe life on base and radio operator training. He trained to be a radio operator on B-17s and B-29s. Later letters
tell of overseas assignments in India and China. -- The last assignment of his enlistment was as an instructor at Scott Field,
Illinois where he had received his training two years before. -- Disbennett's letters include information about daily life,
food, entertainments, instruction and sharing news from his parents and sister in Orange, CA and of Margaret's school teaching
in Indianola, Iowa. He shares his regrets of how the war ("this mess") is keeping them apart and how much he loves and misses
her. He occassionally shares his thoughts about the war and his role in it --
"I dread to think of going across, but I came in this man's army to get this war finished and a guy can't do any fighting
over here. I will sure be glad when this mess is over. It all seems so foolish and wrong."
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
Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945
World War (1939-1945)
United States -- Army -- Air Forces
United States -- Army -- Air Forces -- 40th Bombardment Group
United States -- Army -- Air Forces -- Radio operator
Orange (Calif.)
Disbennett, Margaret