Collection Guide
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Bolner, Merrill H. (Second World War correspondence collection)
2021.195.w.r
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Merrill H. Bolner Second World War correspondence collection
source:
Bolner, Michael
Creator:
Bolner, Merrill Howard, Sergeant, b. 1924
Creator:
Bolner, Thomas Edward, Agent, 1924-2005
Creator:
Bolner, Donald Eugene, 1925-1995
Creator:
Bolner, Merrill LeRoy, 1904-1993
Creator:
Bolner, Merval Louise, b. 1935
Creator:
Bolner, Gladys C., 1905-1989
Identifier/Call Number: 2021.195.w.r
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear Feet
(22 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1942 May 24 - 1982 March 26
Date (bulk): 1942 May 24 - 1945 November 30
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence to and from the "Bolner Boys": Sgt. Merrill H. Bolner, USAAC; Agent Thomas E. Bolner,
USACIS; and LtCol. Donald E. Bolner, USAAC written during the Second World War.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: 167
Container: 1 - 5
Container: 168
Container: 6 - 8
Container: 169
Container: 9 - 12
Container: 170
Container: 13 - 17
Container: 171
Container: 18 - 22
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Michael Bolner.
This collection is arranged by author, and chronology.
- Series 1, Merrill H. Bolner correspondence
- Series 2, Thomas E. Bolner correspondence
- Series 3, Donald E. Bolner correspondence
- Series 4, Mr. Merrill L. and Mrs. Gladys C. Bolner correspondence
- Series 5, correspondence from various authors
Statement of Potentially Harmful Content
This collection may contain materials that are difficult to view, are potentially harmful, or use outdated and culturally
insensitive language. Chapman University preserves and makes these materials accessible to researchers to ensure long-term
accuracy of these historical records. This repository aims to not promote or otherwise celebrate this content, but to use
it for educational and research purposes.
Please see the National Archives and Records Administration's (NARA) "Statement on Potentially Harmful Content" for more information:
https://www.archives.gov/research/reparative-description/harmful-content
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Merrill H. Bolner Second World War collection (2021.195.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 URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
This collection contains approximately 700 correspondence written to and from the "Bolner Boys", Sgt. Merrill H., Agent Thomas
E., and Lt Col. Donald E. Bolner during the Second World War. Major contributors to this collection include the Bolner parents,
Merrill L. and Gladys C. Bolner who wrote to the Bolner brothers throughout the Second World War.
Merrill L. Bolner consistently attached newspaper clippings throughout his correspondence and discuessed current US events,
military activities in Europe and the Pacific, and home life wit the Bolner brothers. He occassionally expressed critical
opinions of the US military and US politics.
Merrill H. Bolner, the eldest Bolner brother, often wrote his parents and friends in very vague or sanitized language. He
seldom wrote explicitly about his military activities. Thomas E. Bolner, in a letterr written September 25, 1945 to his older
brother offered words of comfort regarding Merrill H. Bolner's activities in the Philipines. This may indicate that Merrill
H. Bolner's content varied greatly depending on who he was writing for unknown reasons.
Thomas E. Bolner, the middle Bolner brother, shared similar sentiments and beliefs as their father, Merrill L. Bolner. Towards
the end of his service time, he also expressed critical views of the USA Military Police and the Criminal Investigation Section.
Donald E. Bolner, the youngest Bolner brother, wrote more consistently about his military activities when compated to his
eldest brother, Merrill H. Bolner. However, he is not as well represented in this collection because approximately 30 letters
are present in this collection.
Other authors include US service members and civilians who wrote predominantly to Sgt. Bolner.
This collection also contains over 40 newspaper clippings, 4 photographs, and over 20 postcards or celebratory cards.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945
World War (1939-1945)
World War (1939-1945) -- Pacific Area
World War (1939-1945) -- Europe
World War (1939-1945) -- Hawaii
Armed Forces -- Military police
United States. -- Army. -- Air Corps
Bolner, Michael