Finding Aid for the Joyce Smith Second World War correspondence 2017.170.w.r

Andrew Harman
Center for American War Letters Archives
8/7/2019
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu


Contributing Institution: Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Joyce Smith Second World War correspondence
source: Durham née Smith, Joyce S.
Identifier/Call Number: 2017.170.w.r
Physical Description: 0.15 Linear feet (5 folders)
Date (bulk): 1943 November 23 - 1945 October 5
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence to Joyce Smith from several soldiers during the Second World War.
Language of Material: English .
Container: WWII 111
Container: 1-5
Container: 1-5

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Joyce Durham.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by author, by bulk of materials, and letters are arranged chronologically.
  • Series 1, Correspondence from John Winters
  • Series 2, Correspondence from Steven Powers
  • Series 3, Correspondence from Hal H. Hervey
  • Series 4, Correspondence from Ray E. McClure
  • Series 5, Correspondence from various authors

Biographical / Historical

Joyce Smith Durham was born and raised in Abilene, Texas and attended Abilene High School with the authors of this collection, where she met some of her "crew" or "gang" as they call themselves, which included several girls and boys that are mentioned throughout the collection of letters, even enjoying a romantic relationship with some. Her father was Major L.A. Smith, United States Army and stationed at Camp Wallace in Galveston. Almost all of the authors mention her good grades and completing her final exams with high scores, including earning 100% on her trigonometry final. She sang in the church choir at St. Paul Methodist Church in Abilene.

Preferred Citation

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Joyce Smith Second World War correspondence (2017.170.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.

Content Description

This collection contains correspondence to Joyce Smith from multiple soldiers during the Second World War. The soldiers include Corporal John W. Winters, United States Army; Corporal Steve Powers, United States Army; Staff Sergeant Hal H. Hervey, United States Army; Private Ray E. McClure, United States Army; Private Andrew J. Baldwin, United States Army; Corporal Bernard R. Fincke, United States Army; and a Private "Sully" Sullivan, United States Army.

Conditions Governing Use

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

World War (1939-1945)
Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945
World War (1939-1945) -- Marine Corps
World War (1939-1945) -- Equipment and supplies
United States. -- Army. -- Field Artillery
World War (1939-1945) -- Campaigns -- France -- Normandy.
World War (1939-1945) -- Casualties
Durham née Smith, Joyce S.

box WWII 111, folder 1, folder 1

Series 1, Correspondence from John Winters 1944 December 4 - 1946 February 10

Creator: Winters, John Wesley, Corporal
Physical Description: 0.05 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.

Biographical / Historical

Corporal John Wesley Winters, United States Army was born an only child in Saint Clairsville, Ohio to very devout Baptist parents. He had bachelors and masters degrees and is described by Joyce as a very intelligent man. He served overseas with Headquarters Company CCB and later filled in for a few men who were sent home in the Division Chaplain's Office, 12th Armored Division after the war ended. He then found himself in Service Company (AG), 2nd Armored Division before he left Europe.
Cpl. Winters met Joyce through St. Paul Methodist Church in her hometown of Abilene, Texas where he played organ while stationed nearby at Camp Barbley in 1944. Joyce says he provided her with gifts and historical information on everything in Europe, from Stonehenge to the castles and palaces. He even sent her a "precious little doll (w/ clothes)(movable) packed in a hand grenade holder." He also sent her a dozen roses once a month until the war was over, and the tone of his letters shows that they had gone on dates and that he was very affectionate towards her. The collection also implies that they wrote very frequently, though most of those letters are not included here.
In 2017, Joyce found a letter from him during a visit to Paris after while he was still there, presumably she had never seen this letter, and a bunched up tissue contained a pair of pearls.

Scope and Contents

This series contains fifteen letters from Cpl. John Winters, USA to Joyce Smith during the Second World War. Also included are two empty envelopes.
The first letter was addressed to Joyce's mother, Mrs. L.A. Smith. The rest of the correspondence discusses the scenery in France and Germany as he travels with his units, at one time driving for the company, visiting the Danube, Ellwangen, Heidenheim, Würzburg and Augsburg, Germany. One letter was written on Nazi stationery with a large emblem in the middle of the page. He mentions in his letter of August 7, 1945 that he had no urge to return to the United States, other than missing some friends and Joyce, stating, "perhaps I've lost some of my patriotism" and he expresses desire to live in some of the places he has seen. He also mentions German refugee girls swimming in the lake nude. The last letters were sent from home after the war and his discharge.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

World War (1939-1945) -- France
World War (1939-1945) -- Germany -- Refugees
World War (1939-1945) -- Germany
box WWII 111, folder 2, folder 2

Series 2, Correspondence from Steven Powers 1943 April 2 - 1945 August 7

Creator: Powers , Steven D. , Corporal
Physical Description: 0.05 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.

Biographical / Historical

Corporal Steven D. Powers, United States Army lived in Abilene, Texas and attended Abilene High School. He was a "buddy" of Joyce Smith and loved to sing. After the war, when Joyce moved to Oregon, he bought her home "and didn't tell his wife he was [only] my buddy." (source: donor)
Cpl. Powers served with Battery D 552nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Mobile Battalion (Pvt. Andy Baldwin was in Battery C of the same Battalion, Series 5).

Scope and Contents

This series contains fourteen letters and one postcard from Cpl. Steven D. Powers, USA to Joyce Smith during the Second World War. The postcard is undated and includes a photo of Arolsen, Germany (original by Fliegeraufnahme).
Cpl. Powers' correspondence began on April 2, 1943 from Camp Hulen, Texas. Three of the letters are addressed to Joyce's father, Maj. L.A. Smith at Headquarters 30th Battalion, Camp Wallace, Texas. His discussion mostly revolves around training, inspection, how hard the work is, and a note about the artillery guns, 40mm. He talks about friends in the service and where they are and in the middle of June 1943 he travels home and stays the night at Joyce's house and they visit Galveston. On September 30, his letter was addressed from Shreveport, Louisiana where he was stationed with Pvt. Andy Baldwin and his rank had been increased to corporal. His correspondence continues to November and he mentions Pvt. Ray E. McClure and that by the way Joyce talks about them, they "seem fairly hot."
The letters cease until September 1944 when he is overseas. He mentions Ray again saying, "That was really too bad about Ray, I saw his outfit just about July 1 but missed him somehow." (July 1 was the date of Ray's last letter to Joyce and just before he died on July 7). The remainder of the September 5 letter was censored and cut out. The letter dated November 28, 1944 has "Germany" written at the top and in a separate envelope, on the same date, a Christmas card. The next letter is dated May 4, 1945 from Germany and he says "maybe I can make it home in time for your funeral that is if you die of old age. Say you know this sounds kina bad but no kidding we except [sic] to be bald or gray headed before we see the states again." The last letter was sent from Arolsen, Germany (same as the undated postcard), August 7, 1945 and discusses taking educational courses awaiting the dissolution of the 552nd. The postcard shows the Waldeck Castle, now Arolsen Castle and a museum, and he describes the prince and princesses in the castle and some of its history.
Of note, he frequently "jokes" about breaking her neck in response to something she has said or done.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

World War (1939-1945) -- Germany
United States. -- Army. -- Field Artillery
World War (1939-1945) -- Equipment and supplies
box WWII 111, folder 3, folder 3

Series 3, Correspondence from Hal H. Hervey 1944 February 16 - July 14

Creator: Hervey, Hal H. , Staff Sergeant, 1923-2000
Physical Description: 0.01 Linear feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.

Biographical / Historical

Staff Sergeant Hal H. Hervey, United States Marine Corps (10/25/1923 - 8/8/2000) was born in Breckenridge, Texas and attended Abilene High School where he met Joyce Smith. After school he worked with his father, a First World War veteran (Hal was a member of the Sons and Daughters of Legionnaires club at Abilene High), at RP Hervey and Son photography when he received a draft registration in June 1942.
According to the donor, his brother was killed in the Pacific, near Okinawa, and Hal joined the Marines to go and find his body. The earliest letter, however, was written while he was already a sergeant in February 1944 and mentions when he used to serve with the 5th Marines. The Battle for Okinawa was not until April of the following year. The federal census of 1930 shows an older brother, by two years, that does not appear on the 1940 census. SSgt. Hervey wrote these letters while serving with Service Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion, 3rd Amphibious Corps in the Pacific Theater.
Joyce mentions that they used to ride together in beat up old cars after school. She never heard if he came home alive after the war. He did, and passed away in 2000 and is interred at Moran Cemetery in Texas.

Scope and Contents

This series contains three correspondence, including one V-Mail, from SSgt. Hal H. Hervey, USMC to Joyce Smith during the Second World War.
His correspondence came from overseas in the Pacific Theater, based on his discussion of how long the mail takes "coming from the states" and a recent trip to Australia.
On February 16, 1944 SSgt. Hervey mentions the difference between fighting in Europe versus the Pacific, saying that friends Andy and Steve will probably be part of the "Continent Invasion," and that it will be a "bloody undertaking." He goes on, "Considering things he is very lucky in being sent to Europe because when they take a town or city it is at least civilized and somewhat up to date, what will probably be left of it. While over here we take a place and then civilize the damn place." He then talks about the Tokyo radio and their propaganda, finding it funny until it irritates him to the point of turning it off.
On June 9, 1944 he wrote about moving to a new location and getting very drunk, as well as sending sand home to Joyce. He sent sand, a comb and shells. He also mentions his brother, hoping to move to where he was before next year, and Andy in Europe. Andy had fun in England but just a couple months before the invasion, in which Hervey expects Andy would participate, then continues discussing the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He says, "Boy, the fall of Rome, and the second front started, is really some thing. I guess you people back in the states really had the extras when the news was let out." A friend named Jerry is also mentioned, as being out at sea, and asks after some other mutual friends. The final letter in July 1944 asks after more friends, some who had a baby, some who have married, and others in the service.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

World War (1939-1945) -- Marine Corps
box WWII 111, folder 4, folder 4

Series 4, Correspondence from Ray E. McClure 1944 June 6 - July 1

Creator: McClure, Ray Edward, Private, 1925-1944
Physical Description: 0.01 Linear feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.

Biographical / Historical

Private Ray Edward McClure, United States Army (6/12/1925 - 7/7/1944) was born in Moran, Texas and graduated Abilene High School in 1942 where he met and dated Joyce Smith before entering the service with the Army in June 1943. His father worked in the oil fields and he had a brother and sister. According to Joyce, after basic training he had "developed into a man" and gave her one of his mother's puppies, named "Pepper," as a goodbye gift.
He served with Company I, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division and participated in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day with Company E Infantry [sic] before moving to his other unit. He was killed a month later on July 7, 1944 in St. Lo, France and is interred at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Joyce said that "Pepper" was even still wetting the rugs, and she has since been to his grave in France.

Scope and Contents

This series contains two letters and one gold cross given to Joyce Smith by Pvt. Ray E. McClure, USA during the Second World War. The cross was given to her for her 16th birthday.
The first letter was written after landing in France, June 6, 1944. The top of the letter says "Somewhere in France," though he begins the letter with "another long, long English day, and I do mean long." There is no mention of the invasion or what he has done, likely due to censors, but it appears to be intentionally deceptive to spare her the hardships of his duties, even mentioning taps playing so he has to go to bed. He calls her honey and says "I love you," indicating some affectionate relationship.
On July 1, the last letter he sent before being killed on July 7, he wrote that basic training was a "waste of time," and that "a fellow can go through one battle over here and learn more in one day than he did in all that time, if he pays attention. If he don't, he doesn't last long." He asks about some friends, and the friends' baby that was born, and expresses his wish to come home and how he cannot wait to have fun in Abilene with Joyce and the others. He says, "...keep hoping and praying for me. I'm hoping and praying myself, and together, I'm sure everything will be O.K. on this end of the line."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Last letters before death
World War (1939-1945) -- Casualties
World War (1939-1945) -- France
World War (1939-1945) -- Campaigns -- France -- Normandy.
box WWII 111, folder 5, folder 5

Series 5, Correspondence from various authors 1943 November 21 - 1944 May 3

Physical Description: 0.01 Linear feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains three correspondence from various soldiers to Joyce Smith during the Second World War. Included is one letter, one V-Mail, and one notice of change of address.
The letter, dated November 21, 1944 was written by Private Andrew "Andy" J. Baldwin, United States Army. He served with Battery C, 552nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Mobile Battalion in Shreveport, Louisiana. He mentions seeing Cpl. Steve Powers (in Battery D of the same Battalion, Series 2) on base guarding a prisoner.
The V-Mail was written by a Private Sullivan of the 157th Infantry [?] on April 20, 1944 and just asks after some friends.
The change of address was dated May 3, 1944 for Corporal Bernard R. Fincke of 541st Medical Clearing Company at Camp Carson, Colorado. He was changing from 112th Evacuation Hospital at Camp Barkeley, Texas.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945