This collection consists of original correspondence from Lt. Richard N. Doolittle, USN to his wife Ruth during the Second World War, as well as various correspondence to the Doolittles before the war began and some ephemera from time spent overseas. Also included is a summary inventory created by the donor that lists dates, summaries, and locations of each letter in the collection.

Lieutenant Senior Grade Richard N. Doolittle, United States Navy and his wife Ruth Doolittle are from Pierre, South Dakota. Doolittle worked for the United States Geological Survey when he was drafted in July 1941. He was sent to train in Washington D.C.; Norfolk, Virginia; and other bases until his unit arrived in Port Hueneme, California. He began his military career as an Ensign in the 44th United States Naval Construction Battalion (CB's or Seabees) and was deployed to New Hebrides (Vanuatu) in the South Pacific in March 1943. His unit eventually left and deployed to Manus, an island in the Admiralties chain in May 1944 where he was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade. They returned to the US, California, in January 1945 where he was promoted to Lieutenant and transferred to the 46th Naval Construction Regiment by March. That unit deployed to Okinawa but the correspondence collection ends before his departure.

1 Linear Feet (2 document boxes)

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This collection is open for research.