George B. Coffill Second World War correspondence, 1944 - 1946

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Summary

Creators:
George B. Coffill, Mary Coffill, and Daniel Bouck
Abstract:
Correspondence between Capt. George B. Coffill, USAAF and his wife, children and mother during the Second World War.
Extent:
1.8 Linear feet (33 folders)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], George B. Coffill Second World War correspondence (2018.025.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains correspondence of Capt. George B. Coffill, USAAF with his wife Mary Coffill, children Richard and Susan, and his mother Ida Coffill during the Second World War. At the beginning of the correspondence Coffill writes about his travel from Portland to North Carolina and then to Italy. In camps and bases he writes about housing, food, weather, entertainments, fellow officers, little about his work as an intelligence officer, but comments often on family activities and concerns back home. Coffill turns 45 years old during his tour of duty and as such is older than most of the other men with whom he serves. His correspondence makes reference to his pre-war career in the "Narcotics Bureau." Capt. Coffill serves with the 49th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group and writes most of his correspondence from Triolo Field, near Foggia, Italy. -- Correspondence from Coffill's wife, Mary, and their children Richard and Susan, give insight on daily life on the homefront. Mary's letters especially detail her routine, housekeeping chores, food rationing, shopping and preparation, clothes shopping, and entertainments.

Biographical / historical:

Captain George B. Coffill, United States Army Air Force (1934 - 4/1957) married Mary Coffill (b. 1/27/1906 - 2/1/1987)) on December 27, 1931 in Clay County Kansas.

Reno Gazett-Journal, Sept. 5, 1956 - Sue Coffill Becomes Bride At St. John's ... in an afternoon ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 26, was Miss Sue Coffill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George B. Coffill, 765 Capitol Hill, who became the bride of A1C Gerald R. Bouck. USAAF, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lowell II. Bouck of Corunna, Mich. The double-ring rite took place in St. John's Presbyterian church with the Rev. Richard Denton officiating. Family members and friends were in attendance, and the candle-lighted altar was decorated with arrangements of... THE TRADITIONAL wedding cake is cut by the newly-married couple during the reception which followed the double-ring rite held at St. John's Presbyterian church. The bride is the former Miss Sue Coffill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George B. Coffill of Reno, and the bridegroom is A1C Gerald R. Bouck, stationed at Stead Air Force base near Reno as a survival training instructor, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lowell H. Bouck of Corunna, Mich. The reception took place in the Twentieth Century club house immediately following the ceremony.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Daniel Bouck
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by material type, author and date.

  • Series 1, Correspondence from George to Mary
  • Series 2, Correspondence from Mary to George
  • Series 3, Correspondence between Richard Coffill and George Coffill
  • Series 4, Correspondence between Susan Coffill and George Coffill
  • Series 5, Correspondence between Ida Coffill and George Coffill
  • Series 6, Photographs
  • Series 7, Ephemera

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Preferred citation:

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], George B. Coffill Second World War correspondence (2018.025.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Contact:
(714) 532-7716
privette@chapman.edu
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