Guide to the E. Oren Donnell Correspondence Collection
Special Collections & Archives
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California State University, Northridge
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Contact: https://library.csun.edu/SCA/Contact
© Copyright 2020 Special Collections & Archives. All rights reserved.
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: E. Oren Donnell Correspondence Collection
Creator:
Donnell, E. Oren, 1920-2006
Identifier/Call Number: SC.EOD
Extent:
0.21 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1943-1945
Abstract: The E. Oren Donnell Correspondence
Collection documents the experiences of Donnell as he worked as an aircraft mechanic at the
US Naval Station in Corpus Christi, Texas in the United States Navy during World War II.
Letters include descriptions of Donnell's responsibilities and daily activities, news about
his sister's engagement and other family updates, information about friends injured or
killed while serving overseas, his promotion in 1945 to Chief Petty Officer, and attending a
dance where he saw General Omar Bradley. He also writes to his mother to discuss national
and international events during the war, including President Roosevelt's death in April
1945, speculation about Truman's new presidency, VE Day, the dropping of the atomic bomb on
Japan, and VJ day.
Language of Material: English
E. Oren Donnell was born in 1920, and served in the United States Navy during World War II
as an Aircraft Mechanics Mate 1st Class at the US Naval Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. In
1945 he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer.
The E. Oren Donnell Correspondence Collection documents the experiences of Donnell as he
worked as an aircraft mechanic at the US Naval Station in Corpus Christi, Texas in the
United States Navy during World War II. Donnell corresponded regularly with his mother,
Grace, in Missouri throughout his time in Texas, and also included occasional notes to his
siblings Mona and D.K. Letters include descriptions of Donnell's responsibilities and daily
activities, news about his sister's engagement and other family updates, information about
friends injured or killed while serving overseas, his promotion in 1945 to Chief Petty
Officer, a storm that damaged numerous combat aircraft, and attending a dance where he saw
General Omar Bradley. He also writes to his mother to discuss national and international
events during the war, including President Roosevelt's death in April 1945, speculation
about Truman's new presidency, VE Day, the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan, and VJ
day.
The collection is open for research use.
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge.
Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires
the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchase. 09/22/2017.
Other Information:
This collection was purchased with funds generously donated by Gus and Erika Manders.
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style
manual, or see the
Citing Archival
Materials
guide.
Special Collections and Archives, 2017
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ephemera
Documents
Box 1, Folder 1
October-December 1943
Box 1, Folder 2
January-June 1944
Box 1, Folder 3
July-December 1944
Box 1, Folder 4
January-June 1945
Box 1, Folder 5
July-November 1945