Finding aid for the Harold Martinez correspondence
6074
Stephanie Cipres
USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Harold Martinez correspondence
creator:
Martinez, Harold
Identifier/Call Number: 6074
Physical Description:
0.42 Linear Feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1944 June-1946 March
Abstract: 26 letters written by Mexican-American solider Harold Martinez between June 1944 nd March 1946 while serving in the military
during World War II. Addressed to his brother George, also in the army, and his mother, the letters begin when Harold was
serving as a tank driver at Fort Knox. A few of the letters are stamped by the Army censor. Martinez was born in Arizona
in 1925. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, California, on March 1, 1944.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Acquisition
Purchased from The Bookshop, April 21, 2104.
Scope and Content
26 letters written by Mexican-American solider Harold Martinez between June 1944 nd March 1946 while serving in the military
during World War II. Addressed to his brother George, also in the army, and his mother, the letters begin when Harold was
serving as a tank driver at Fort Knox. A few of the letters are stamped by the Army censor.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder no. or item name], Harold Martinez correspondence, Collection no. 6074, [Repository], Special Collections, USC
Libraries, University of Southern California
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives
Soldiers -- United States -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Correspondence
Martinez, Harold -- Archives
Martinez, Harold
Box 1, folder 1
Martinez to George
1942 January 23
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter from Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez, letter is addressed to his brother George. It
is the first time in two weeks that Martinez has been able to respond to letters. He mentions to his brother that he probably
heard about the incident on television and that the fighting was heavy. He informs his brother that he had a white Christmas
as well as New Year. Martinez goes on and continues to describe his experiences.
Box 1, Folder 2
Martinez to George
1944 June 12
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter written by Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez during World War II. Letter was addressed
to his brother, George. Martinez writes about his experiences as a tank driver. He mentions that he got back from the bivouac
after being out there for two weeks.
Box 1, folder 3
Martinez to George
1944 July 4
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter from Mexican-American soldier Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother, George. Martinez
starts off by saying that he was happy to hear that he was able to visit his mother even if it was the day after her birthday.
Martinez gives his brother bad news that the division is breaking up. He tells his brother that they are wearing their second
battle star.
Box 1, Folder 4
Martinez to George
1944 September 8
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter written by Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George,
which he addresses as "Geo". He explains to him that he had not been writing to him because he had left home without his address
and could not remember it. He writes that he is getting along very well with the other guys. He asks his brother about his
mother. In addition, Martinez mentions that the day in which he wrote the letter, marked his one year anniversary of joining
the army.
Box 1, folder 5
Martinez to Mother
1944 October 3
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter by Mexican-American soldier during World War II. He informs his mother that he is finally on
land and that he has not sent her any letters due to his laziness. He tells his mother that he received a letter from George
and Ophelia. He describes the land he is on as being similar to Miami, bare and with hills. Martinez closes his letter with
good wishes for everyone back home.
Box 1, Folder 6
Martinez to George
1944 October 6
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter by Mexican American soldier, Harold Martinez during World War II. Letter is addressed to his
brother George. Martinez writes that he has received a letter from his mother, and that he hears that she has settled in California.
Martinez lets his brother know that he will send him $5.00 for his birthday. He bids his brother farewell and tells him his
next trip will be interesting.
Box 1, folder 19
Martinez to George
1946 January 9
Scope and Contents
Item is a typed letter written by Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George. Martinez
starts off by congratulating his brother for being discharged and being sent back home. He says that he is very happy for
him, but that he is also a bit envious because he really wants to return home. Martinez is a bit upset and writes that no
one in the army cares about the soldiers once the fight is over.
Box 1, folder 20
Martinez from George
1946 February
Scope and Contents
Item is a typed letter from Mexican-American soldier Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George. Martinez
tells his brother that the weather has been changing constantly from rainy to windy. Martinez explains to his brother that
soldiers do not speak in terms of money but cigarettes and candy. Martinez complains a bit about the food that they are fed,
and says he doesn't know where they get it. He ends his letter by saying that he has not heard back from their mother but
that he assumes she is doing well.
Box 1, folder 22
Martinez to Mother
1946 March 17
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter from Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his mother. Martinez starts
off his letter by telling his mother that he has a new address but that he has no word of when he will be back home. He says
that he was transferred but doesn't have an idea of his exact location. Martinez believes that the town was once a resort
town before the war.
Box 1, folder 23
Martinez to Mother
1946 June 26
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter by Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his mother. Martinez informs
his mother that he received both of the packages that she sent as well as her letter. He tells his mom that he is in Tucson
and that everything is okay. He says that he will find out about going to school, but that he is unsure of what he wants to
study.
Box 1, folder 24
Pat Norbert to Bertha Martinez
Scope and Contents
Item is a copy of a handwritten letter from Pat Norbert Gottsegen, addressed to Mrs. Bertha Martinez. He tells Martinez's
mother that he is a friend of Harold's and that he would like to get back in contact with him. He asks Harold's mom to please
give him his updated address.
Box 1, folder 7
Martinez to George
1944 November 9
Scope and Contents
Item was a handwritten letter by Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George. Martinez
tells George about his trip to New York City and says that "it's alright" for a big city.
Box 1, folder 8
Martinez to George
1944 December 7
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter by Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. He informs his brother that he is in France. He
states that he is part of the 7th Army. He tells his brother that he is now an owner of a German rifle. He says that his grandmother
is the only person who he has heard from. Martinez ends his letter because someone was waiting for their turn to use the writing
table.
Box 1, folder 14
Martinez to George
1945 August 22
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter from Mexican-American soldier Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George. Martinez
lets his brother know that he received two letters from him. He explains to his brother that he is still continuing with training.
He says that if he can manage to get a camera and film, he will send some photographs of the scenery. Martinez tells his brother
that there will be a show, and says the good thing about Red Cross is that they always have something planned for soldiers.
Martinez goes on to tell his brother that he climbed to the highest peak of a mountain. He ends his letter by telling his
brother that the weather was acting up and that he must wake up early to wake up the division.
Box 1, folder 29
Martinez to George
August 6
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter from Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George. Martinez
thanks his brother for sending a photograph of Ophelia. He tells his brother that he doesn't have any pictures of him other
than the one that he stole from his mother before leaving. He says that he will try to get his hands on a camera and send
him a photograph of himself. He tells his brother that the following week they will go out on bivouac and maneuvers.
Box 1, folder 17
Martinez to Mother
1945 October 8
Scope and Contents
Item is a typed letter written by Mexican American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his mother. Martinez starts
off his letter by reminding her that it is his birthday. He tells his mother that the weather has gotten much better, and
that the snow began to melt. Martinez tells her that everyone is talking about and betting on the World Series. Martinez hopes
that his luck will change, and that he will be able to go back home soon.
Box 1, Folder 18
Martinez to Mother
1945 November 24
Scope and Contents
Item is a typed letter by Mexican-American soldier Harold Martinez. The letter is addressed to his mother. Martinez starts
off his letter by telling his brother that he does not like the way that things are going. He says he cannot picture himself
being in the infantry having only seen the tanks. Martinez tells his mother that he met her old friend, Clemente Moreno the
pachuco. Martinez apologizes to his mother for the short letter but tells her he must get some rest if he is to wake up at
5AM.
Box 1
Martinez to Mother
1944 October 3
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter by
Box 1, folder 9
Martinez to George
1945 January 30
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter from Mexican-American soldier Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George.
Box 1, folder 21
Martinez to Mother
1946 February 7
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter by Mexican-American soldier Harold Martinez. The letter is addressed to his mother.
Box 1
Martinez to Mother
1944 October 3
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter by
Box 1, folder 10
Martinez to George
1945 February 4
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter from Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George. Martinez
writes about the war in his letter and tells his brother what is going on in the battlefield.
Box 1, folder 11
Martinez to George
1945 April 28
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter from Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. The letter was addressed to his brother George.
Martinez starts his letter by wishing his brother good health because he had received news that he had been in the hospital.
Martinez explained to his brother that he had been kept busy.
Box 1, folder 25
Martinez to George
June 15
Scope and Contents
Item is a hand written letter by Mexican-American soldier Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George.
Box 1, folder 12
Martinez to Eva
1945 June 3
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter by Mexican-American soldier Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to Eva. Martinez starts his
letter by saying that it has been a long time and that she probably finds it odd that he is writing to her. He says that the
best news is that the war in Europe ended. Martinez says he was sent to the hospital in Paris and that the nurses treated
him very well. Martinez goes on to write about his experiences in Germany and Paris. He closes the letter by telling her to
write when she has spare time.
Box 1, folder 26
Martinez to George
July 18
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter written by Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George.
Martinez writes to his brother that he doesn't like the place in which he is living in because it is too dirty and messy.
Harold goes on, and gives his brother an updated address for letters.
Box 1, folder 13
Martinez to George
1945 August 17
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter from Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George. Martinez
writes that he has relocated and is surrounded by mountains. He says the town is decently sized and that the Red Cross has
been very nice to everyone. Martinez tells his brother that he was promoted up a rank and that he gets paid more. Martinez
tells his brother that he is glad that the war ended.
Box 1, folder 27
Martinez to George
July 24
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter by Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George. He tells
his brother that he will write him several letters on the days in which he has spare time after his classes. He writes that
he will go through a second basic training that's needed to go to the Pacific. He writes that the only form of entertainment
is a river. Martinez mentions that most of the guys are out of cigarettes and that they are smoking out of pipes. He tells
his brother that he wanted to visit Munich to see the Jack Benny show but that he decided not to. Martinez goes on to talk
about a few other experiences and closes his letter.
Box 1, folder 15
Martinez to George
1945 August 30
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter by Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George. Martinez
tells his brother that the men from the 14th Division were sent home and that it hurt to see them leave without everyone else.
He tells George that he really hopes that they change his ranking soon. He tells his brother that he received the picture
of their mother and that she looks great.
Box 1, folder 28
Martinez to George
July 25
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter from Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. Letter is addressed to his brother George. Martinez
says that he received most of his brother’s letters and said he might as well respond beforehand. Martinez tells his brother
that he received news that he would remain until January. Martinez writes that they will move out for training and maneuvers
the following week.
Box 1, Folder 16
Martinez to George
1945 September 23
Scope and Contents
Item is a handwritten letter by Mexican-American soldier, Harold Martinez. The letter was addressed to his brother George.
Martinez starts of his letter by telling his brother that he has a new address. He expresses his frustration because his mail
has been delayed and hasn't heard from anyone in a month. He writes that they will move to their new location, either Wasserburg
or Bad-Reichenhall. He says that he would be happy in either, seeing that they both have Red Cross clubs. Martinez tells his
brother that he is close to getting a new stripe. He ends his letter by telling George that all is well and better than expected.
