Finding Aid for the O.V. "Jack" Burgman Second World War correspondence 2017.261.w.r
Andrew Harman
Center for American War Letters Archives
7/18/2018
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: O.V. "Jack" Burgman Second World War correspondence
Creator:
Kallas, Anne
source:
Anderson, Karen
Identifier/Call Number: 2017.261.w.r
Physical Description:
.05 Linear Feet
(1 folder)
Date (inclusive): 1944 May 11 - 1944 June 3
Abstract: This collectin contains eight correspondence from Anne Kallas to her fiancee SSgt O.V. "Jack" Burgman, USAAF, and one return
letter during the Second World War.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWII 21
Container: 7
Container: 1
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Karen Anderson.
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Staff Sergeant Orin Verne "Jack" Burgman, United States Army Air Force (3/1924 - 5/24/1944) was born in Port Angeles Washington
to his parents Orin and Julia and was engaged to his fiancee Anne Kallas, who signed her letters "Annabella," during the Second
World War. SSgt. Burgman served as a bomber gunner in the 334th Bomb Squadron, 95th Bomber Group. He flew missions out of
England and even thought he had shot down at least one German ME 109. Unfortunately, he was listed as Missing in Action in
May 1944 during this correspondence. Anne and his mother went to the San Francisco area shortly after her letters were returned
and he was not accounted for to get answers, but they were never given any information. SSgt. Burgman's body was never found
and a grave was created for him at Arlington Cemetery, with his name listed on a tombstone along with twelve other Air Corps
service members as having died May 24, 1944.
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], O.V. "Jack" Second World War correspondence (2017.261.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 eight correspondence from Anne Kallas to her fiancé SSgt. O.V. "Jack" Burgman, USAAF and one response
letter from Bergman to Anne. Anne discussed the home front but mentions the war breifly at times. He was listed as Missing
in Action in May 1944 and all letters addressed to him are stamped "Missing" and dated 6/27/44 and signed. Included is one
black and white photograph of the two of them sent with his May 16 letter.
SSgt. Bergman, in his one response on May 16, 1944 mentions the war very briefly, noting the meaning of the word "flak" and
why it is not a good thing. He also thought he shot down a German ME 109 plane but got no credit as it was not seen crashing,
but he still expected to get an "air medal" soon.
On May 22, Anne notes "Gee, Hon, at the rate you're going, now, it shouldn't take you very long to get in all of your missions.
It sounds like they've really been keeping you busy lately." On May 29, she continues acknowledging the war by pointing out
that the paper said out of 93 enemy planes shot down, 32 were bomber gunners and she thought that maybe one of them was him.
The May 27 letter has well preserved lipstick from a kiss.
On June 2, Anne acknowledges the impending Normandy invasion of D-Day. It is inferred that she heard about it somehow and
that's why she has not been receiving letters, same as many of her friends, and thus expects to receive letters once the invasion
is over.
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)
World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations, American
World War (1939-1945) -- Battlefields -- France
World War (1939-1945) -- Campaigns -- France -- Normandy.
World War (1939-1945) -- Casualties
World War (1939-1945) -- Europe
World War (1939-1945) -- Homefront
World War (1939-1945) -- Missing in action.
World War (1939-1945) -- Photography
World War (1939-1945) -- Women
World War (1939-1945) -- England
United States -- Army -- Air Forces -- Bombardier
United States -- Army Air Forces -- Aerial gunnery
Burgman, O.V., Staff Sergeant (Orin Verne Burgman), 1924-1944
Anderson, Karen