Title:
World War II letters, 1942-1945
Walter J. Masters World War II letters, 1942-1945
Creator/Contributor:
Masters, Walter J., 1910-1975, creator
Abstract:
This collection comprises 391 holograph letters, four photographs and 10 photograph negatives sent to Masters' wife, Rebecca
Morris Masters in Long Beach, California. Letters from 1942, beginning May 2nd, and throughout 1943 were written while attending
Basic Training, Officer Candidates' School, and as he served as a platoon leader in Loisiana. Letters from 1944 and 1945 were
sent from Hawaii, New Guinea and the Philippines, ending on Dec. 8th, 1945. Some letters on stationery with insignia. A few
letters were censored and scissored. Ephemera includes official Army documents, civilian ration cards, entertainment programs.
There is also a small group of incoming letters addressed to Masters and his wife. Included are letters from Cecil Bull (friend),
Claude W. "Slip" Chamberlain (friend), Will French (Mrs. Masters' boss) and a few others.
This correspondence documents a devoted marriage during World War II.Also of interest are in-depth details concerning Basic
Training, Officers Candidates' School, jungle training, native customs and ceremonials in New Guinea, and daily life of the
Philippine people.
Date:
1942 (issued)
Contents:
Box 2273: Masters letters, 1942-1943. -- Box 2274: Masters letters, 1944-1945; other correspondence.
Subject:
n-us--- -- n-us-ca -- p------
Masters, Walter J -- 1910-1975 -- Correspondence
Soldiers -- California -- Correspondence
World War, 1939-1945 -- Pacific Area -- Personal narratives
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American
United States. -- Army -- Biography
Note:
Walter J. Masters was born October 25th, 1910 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1942, he took heavy weapons basic training at Camp
Roberts, California and, in 1943, successfully completed Officer Candidates' School at Fort Benning, Georgia. On receiving
his commission as 2nd Lieutenant, he was assigned to the 149th Infantry Division, Camp Livingston, Louisiana where he served
as assistant platoon leader in heavy weapon, machine gun and rifle companies. He continued in this capacity throughout 1943
when the 149th was moved to Oahu. When the Division was shipped to New Guinea early in 1944, Masters trained in jungle warfare
conducted by ANGAU, the Australian Administrative Unit. Later that year, he fought with Phillipine guerrillas in Leyte and
in the mountains of Luzon, most significantly in the area of the Wawa Dam. He served briefly with the Judge Advocate General
in Manila before returning to the United States on December 8th, 1945. He died in Los Angeles on Dec. 15th, 1975.
Walter J. Masters World War II letters, 1942-1945.
Finding aid available and a calendar accompanies each box.
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.
Type:
biography
Physical Description:
ca. 406 items : ill., ports ; 1 linear ft.
Language:
English
Identifier:
MANUSCRIPT Boxes 2273-2274
Origin:
California
Copyright Note:
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.