Finding Aid for the Benjamin B. Kozloff Second World War correspondence 2022.016.w.r
Andrew Harman
Center for American War Letters Archives
7/6/2023
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Benjamin B. Kozloff Second World War correspondence
source:
Kozloff, Barry D.
Creator:
Kozloff, Benjamin Barney, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class, 1916-1944
Identifier/Call Number: 2022.016.w.r
Physical Description:
0.01 Linear Feet
(1 folder)
Date (inclusive): 1944 February 24 - 1944 March
Abstract: This collection contains two V-Mail correspondence from PhM2/C Benjamin B. Kozloff, USNR to his brother SK3/C Louis Kozloff,
USNR during the Second World War. Benjamin wrote while serving in the Pacific aboard the USS Ingersoll, Med (DD-652).
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWII 43
Container: 15
Container: 1
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Kozloff Family, donated by Barry D. Kozloff.
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Benjamin Barney "Bennie" Kozloff, United States Navy Reserve (9/16/1916 - 6/15/1944) was born
in St. Louis, Missouri to Sam and Tillie Kozloff, immigrants from Russia and Poland, respectively, and a brother named Louis
also born in Russia.
Both Benjamin and Storekeeper Third Class Louis "Lou" Kozloff, United States Navy Reserve joined the armed service. Benjamin
served as a pharmacist's mate in the hospital corps aboard the USS Ingersoll (DD-652) as it sailed to Hawaii and then participated
in action in the South Pacific. The Ingersoll fired on the Marshall Islands, Pelelieu, the Palaus, and many others during
action between 1943 and the end of the war. Benjamin wrote his two letters while part of Task Force 58 after air strikes on
the Marianas.
Benjamin was killed in action on June 15, 1944 during action in the Marianas Islands and was interred at the Honolulu Memorial
Cemetery in Hawaii among the Courts of the Missing. Find a Grave and other information incorrectly states his birthdate in
October; the above date was found on his original draft registration card from 1940 (correct father and street address corroborate
his identity).
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Benjamin B. Kozloff Second World War correspondence (2022.016.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 two V-Mail correspondence from PhM2/C Benjamin B. Kozloff, USNR to his brother SK3/C Louis Kozloff,
USNR during the Second World War. Benjamin wrote while serving in the Pacific aboard the USS Ingersoll, Med (DD-652).
The first V-Mail was dated February 24, 1944 and the second dated March 1944 (no day) and both begin addressed to Lou and
Rae. He discusses being at sea for a long period, the hot weather with cool ocean breezes, and sleeping topside under the
guns for the cool weather. He also mentions expecting a promotion, though not sure if he's ready.
In the second letter, he mentions the censor allowing him to tell of events that have already occurred. He divulges to his
brother:
Our ship participated in the Attack on the Marshalls, Attack of Truk in the Carolinas, and the Attack of Saipan in the Marianas. We did some fast travelling and I guess before this is over I'll do quite a bit more.
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)
United States. -- Navy
World War (1939-1945) -- Pacific Area
World War (1939-1945) -- Pacific islands
Kozloff, Barry D.