Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Krebes, Anthony P. (Second World War correspondence)
2018.135.w.r
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
box WWII 142, folder 1-6, folder 1-6, box WWII 143, folder 1-7, folder 7-13, box WWII 144, folder 1-2, folder 14-15
Series 1, Correspondence from Anthony to Juanita 1943 October 27 - 1945 December 29
Creator: Krebes, Anthony Paul, Staff Sergeant, 1919-1985
Creator: Krebes née Chaney, Alice Juanita, 1923-1994
Physical Description: 1 Linear feet(15 folders)
Language of Material: English.
This collection contains 400 correspondence from Staff Sergeant Anthony Paul "Tick" Krebes, United States Army (3/23/1919
- 7/19/1985) to his wife Juanita "Butch" Krebes during the Second World War. SSgt. Krebes served in the Pacific Theater of
Operations first with a Casual Company in New Guinea, eventually being assigned to A Battery, 52nd Field Artillery Battalion
as part of the 21st Regimental Combat Team in the Philippines. His action included combat in the Leyte Campaign and combat
on Mindanao. He travelled to assist in the occupation of Japan after the war and arrived home in December 1945.
The beginning of the correspondence covers Krebes' induction at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana and training at Fort Bragg,
North Carolina, which includes some personal letters about the sadness of newlyweds being apart. While in training, Juanita
visited and became pregnant. Later letters from overseas discuss the boredom or hard work in New Guinea and the leisure of
life in the South Pacific when not attached to a combat unit, as well as the constant anticipation of the new baby.
When Krebes joins the 52nd FA Bn, not much changes until his unit is sent out in October 1944 to "see the enemy," ending up
fighting for 74 consecutive days until January. Though he mentions his unit as the best artillery battalion, the barrage
of enemy fire they experienced on and around Thanksgiving 1944 is mentioned later as the enemy giving them "hell."
Of note during this period, a September 19, 1944 v-mail describes a report that Germany had surrendered and the men were happy,
though unsure. He also wrote to Juanita's parents about the report and the difference in his relaying the message is of note
(see Series 2).
In January 1945, daughter Kay Lynn is born, and his letters go back to the routine of non-combat until after Germany's real
surrender when his unit is sent back out to "Sarigania Bay" (Sarangani Bay) during the Leyte campaign during which he spent
another 74 days of consecutive combat and fired 13,500 rounds, 8,000 from his unit alone, during only the first half of that
time.
Krebes is promoted to Corporal and his unit rests in the Davao section of Mindanao. On August 9, 1945 he describes the reports
of the atomic bomb, later explaining it in more detail once he lands in Japan and meets soldiers that had been there. Once
the war is over, his unit is relocated to mainland Japan and land at Kure just south of Hiroshima aboard the USS New Kent
and moved inland to Okayama. His letters during this period about the Japanese people describe them bowing for soldiers,
an Armistice Day parade held for the villagers, which the GIs hated doing, and describes them as "rats." He wonders where
they sleep since every village and building had been fire bombed.
Toward the end, there are some interesting notes on General Douglas MacArthur and one letter dated November 22, 1945 where
he reminisces about the Thanksgiving "hell" from a year prior and looks out on the hills of the Honshu thinking about the
expected Allied invasion. It gives him "chills" thinking about the fight in Japan if the war had not ended, "would have made
Leyte and Okinawa seem like a boy scouts convention." Included around this time is a Time Magazine clipping about strikes
and he asks if the Blacks (derogatory term used) were "still giving the whites trouble, or has it cooled down already?"
During the last half of his correspondence, even while in battle SSgt. Krebes, promoted in September, consistently mentions
the points system and speculates on when his point level will be sent home. While occupying Japan, his 61 points eventually
become enough and he is given a Japanese sword and an automatic rifle as souvenirs, as apparently everyone received in his
unit. He arrived home on December 29th, 1945.
box WWII 144, folder 3, folder 16
Series 2, Correspondence to Juanita's parents 1944 June 6 - 1945 January 19
Creator: Krebes, Anthony Paul, Staff Sergeant, 1919-1985
Physical Description: 0.1 Linear feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains 13 correspondence to Juanita's parents, Glen and Elsa Chaney, during the Second World War. The correspondence
are all v-mail from SSgt. Anthony P. Krebes, USA except one postcard from Sergeant Reed Keller, United States Army asking
about SSgt. Krebes and Juanita's expected baby.
SSgt. Krebes mentions in September 1944 the false news they received about the German surrender and how happy he was about
it. Of note here is the difference in his description of the news to them and to Juanita (Series 1).
box WWII 144, folder 4-6, folder 17-19
Series 3, Correspondence from Juanita to Anthony 1943 November 3 - 1945 November 23
Creator: Krebes née Chaney, Alice Juanita, 1923-1994
Creator: Krebes, Anthony Paul, Staff Sergeant, 1919-1985
Physical Description: 0.2 Linear feet(3 folders)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains 54 correspondence from Juanita Krebes to her husband SSgt. Anthony P. Krebes, USA during the Second World
War. The bulk of the correspondence is sent while SSgt. Krebes was a Private in training at Fort Bragg, with some letters
saved from later during his tour overseas.
These correspondence primarily share the experience of feeling loss and heartache from the separation of these two newlyweds.
Juanita is very heartbroken and even losing weight. Also mentioned early on, however, is a gas crisis and race relations,
including a workers strike in Gary, Indiana, as well as various other news items as she frequently includes clippings in her
correspondence.
At the end of the correspondence, Juanita assures Ssgt. Krebes that she has successfully tricked the family into thinking
he will still be gone another six months, though he was on his way home, to give them a big surprise.
box WWII 144, folder 7, folder 20
Series 4, Correspondence from John F. Krebes 1943 June 7 - 1945 July 18
Creator: Krebes, John Ferdinand, Chief Shipfitter, 1907-1989
Physical Description: 0.075 Linear feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains 26 correspondence from CSF John F. Krebes, USN to his brother's wife Juanita Krebes during the Second
World War. Also included are some correspondence to his brother SSgt. Anthony P. Krebes, USA.
CSF Krebes trained at Camp Pearry and Camp Parks to become a "Seabee," or CB for Construction Battalion. He served with Construction
Battalion Maintenance Unit 522 and served overseas at Barbers Point, Oahu, Hawaii. As a divorced parent, many of his letters
to Juanita, with whom he enjoyed a comfortable relationship, mention his single life and chasing women, including "hooking
up with natives" when he can't find a blonde.
In December 1944 he went on a short assignment to Midway Island aboard the USS Panay, a trip also mentioned by his brother
Bill (Series 7). He also mentions sailing out on the USS Portland in October 1943.
Chief Shipfitter John Ferdinand Krebes, United States Navy (3/25/1907 - 7/18/1989) was born in Austria-Hungary before his
parents moved to the United States. He enlisted in the Navy on June 4, 1943 and was discharged October 13, 1945. He had two
children with Lois Fay and divorced before joining, later marrying Helen Biro.
box WWII 144, folder 6, folder 21, box WWII 145, folder 1, folder 22
Series 5, Correspondence from Michael W. Krebes 1942 August 6 - 1945 August 17
Creator: Krebes, Michael W., Technician Fifth Grade, 1913-1961
Physical Description: 0.15 Linear feet(2 folders)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains 72 correspondence from T/5 Michael W. Krebes, USArmy to his brother, SSgt. Anthony P. Krebes, USA and
his wife Juanita during the Second World War. Most of the correspondence is sent to Juanita, but the series includes letters
to his brother Anthony or addressed to both.
T/5 Krebes served as a dental assistant with several units during training from August 1942 through September 1943, including
Company C, 6th Medical Training Batallion, 4th Platoon at Camp Pickett in Blackstone, Virginia and 63rd and 37th General Hospitals
at Camp Blanding, Florida. He was then sent to North Africa with Headquarters Company, 2630th Ordinance Battalion, Medical
Detachment at Mostaganem, Algeria. This unit then moved to Italy after the invasion in October 1943.
T/5 Krebes has a letter during this time heavily censored, however he does explain a harrowing thirty five minute period in
which a German ship fired on them in transit to Italy and they just had to sit and hope that they missed. He expresses gratitude
that their aim was bad that day, but also that it was the scariest moment of his life.
He is later reassigned to HQ Co. 2nd Replacement Depot, Med. Det. and the 7th Med. Dep. Co. in France between March and July
1944 when he is promoted to Technician Fifth Grade. During this time he is assigned to a temporary duty with a mobile dental
unit, and eventually the 7th Med. Dep. Co. moves through Germany and Salzburg, Austria, and then to Aix, France with the 43rd
Gen. Hosp. in August 1945.
Over the course of his correspondence, T/5 Krebes writes comfortably with Juanita, accidentally calling her 'Mitch' instead
of 'Butch' at first, then afixing the name to himself. He discusses drinking and women frequently, and eventually has a casual
relationship with a girl in Austria. His last letter home is a v-mail change of address to the 468th Dental Prosthetic Detachment.
Technician Fifth Grade Michael W. Krebes, United States Army (12/11/1913 - 4/5/1961) enlisted on May 20, 1942 and was discharged
from the Army on September 17, 1945.
box WWII 145, folder 2, folder 23
Series 6, Correspondence from Ignatius P. Krebes 1943 June 13 - 1943 November 7
Creator: Krebes, Ignatius P., Private First Class, 1915-1982
Physical Description: 0.05 Linear feet(3 letters)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains three correspondence from PFC Ignatius P. Krebes, USA to his brother, SSgt. Anthony P. Krebes, USA and
his wife Juanita during the Second World War. Two of the letters are written to his brother Anthony and one to Juanita. The
letters were written while training with 1318th Service Unit, Station Hospital at Camp Pickett, Virginia.
Private First Class Ignatius P. Krebes, United States Army (7/22/1915 - 2/14/1982) enlisted in the Army on June 25, 1941 and
was discharged December 20, 1945. He married Martha Phorelic May 30, 1941. The birthday listed above was found on a birth
certificate that matched all relevant data but listed his first name as "Ignots" and his mother Veronica's maiden name as
"Stein" (every other document, including death certificates, list her as "Steinhubel").
box WWII 145, folder 2, folder 23
Series 7, Correspondence from Frank G. Krebes 1942 December 24 - 1945 August 22
Creator: Krebes, Frank George, Sergeant, 1920-1998
Physical Description: 0.025 Linear feet(5 letters)
Language of Material: English.
Sergeant Frank George Krebes, United States Marine Corps (12/1/1920 - 7/11/1998) enlisted on April 24, 1942 and discharged
on April 23, 1946. He served with Marine Corps Unit 715 and wrote from overseas already in December 1942. In February 1945,
he was serving with Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 113, Marine Aircraft Group (MaG) 22, and in July wrote from Okinawa.
This series contains five correspondence from Sgt. Frank G. Krebes, USMC to his brother's wife Juanita during the Second World
War. Unlike his brothers, Sgt. Krebes was the first to enlist and the first to deploy overseas so he did not know Juanita
very well, as is expressed in his letters as he acknowledges the awkwardness of not knowing what to write. Like his brothers,
however, he eventually became more comfortable and mentions his enjoyment of drinking.
box WWII 145, folder 3-4, folder 24-25
Series 8, Correspondence from William S. Krebes 1942 September 10 - 1945 August 24
Creator: Krebes, William Steven, Private First Class, 1923-1997
Physical Description: 0.15 Linear feet(2 folders)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains 74 correspondence from PFC William S. Krebes, USAAF to his brother's wife Juanita during the Second World
War. The bulk of his correspondence pertains to matters back home and his family, many of whom were also serving, training
and war related discussions, as well as his girlfriend Faye whom he met in England and eventually proposed marriage.
PFC Krebes trained with Technical School Squadron 587-7L106 in St. Petersburg, Florida in September 1942. Early on it is clear
how comfortable he is with Juanita, like many of the other brothers, and he discusses drinking and chasing women in sunny
Florida. He then is reassigned to Secion 43-I-H-AAFTD (Army Air Forces Training Detachment) at Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater
(now Oklahoma State University). There he switched his training focus from radio to clerical work.
PFC Krebes left in February 1943 and was assigned to 526 Bomb Squadron (H), 379 Bomb Group, 8th Air Force in Sioux City, Iowa,
awaiting transfer to a new base being built in Scribner, Nebraska before shipping out to England in May.
With his radio and clerical training, PFC Krebes began work in May 1943 about an hour and a half out of London on a teletype,
receiving secret coded messages. Given the nature of his work, his letters around this time are heavily censored until he
gets used to what he can or cannot say. Mostly, however, his correspondence discusses Faye who lives in London, though he
considers himself single, even having a girl named Betty back home, until it becomes more serious with Faye later. He discusses
"Piccadilly Commandos," a term for prostitutes, being short-handed at work so he is excused from KP duties, and flying in
tests and practices in Flying Fortresses.
In May 1944, after having picked up Corporal, he is bumped down to Private, later explaining that it was for going AWOL (absence
without leave) and that it was not Faye's fault, though no further details.
The censors did let him get away with some material around June that allowed him to lightly discuss bombing raids around and
after D-Day and by September the news he is seeing in messages leads him to believe it will be over soon. He later admits
he naively underestimated the German resolve and by October mentions that, despite "taking a pounding," ending the war in
Germany will not be as easy as expected.
In January 1945, PFC Krebes is reassigned to Headquarters 41st Combat Bomb Wing (H). He proposed to Faye and then they broke
up, "turning over into a wolf again" as he chases women and enjoys partying with wine, women and cognac on a trip to Paris
in February. Shortly before he left in June 1945, he and Faye got engaged again and he was assigned to 323 Bomb Squadron,
91st Bomb Group, 8th AF. Upon arrival in the states, he is assigned to 6th Detachment, 301st Base Unit at Drew Field, Tampa,
Florida in August. He was discharged shortly after.
Private First Class William Steven Krebes, United States Army Air Force (12/11/1923 - 2/4/1997) is the youngest of the Krebes
brothers and enlisted on September 12, 1942 at Fort Benjamin Harrison. During the war he met a girl whom he referred to as
Faye who lived in London. After his return home and discharge around September 1945 (unsure), Faye, who's real name may have
been Sheila Kathleen Midson (11/4/1927 - 2008) left England by plane in June 1946 to meet her fiance William Krebes for permanent
residence (source: New York Passenger form, June 13, 1946, via Ancestry.com). William and Sheila were married shortly thereafter
and had one son, William Robert Krebes, in 1947. Unverified Ancestry.com documents show Shiela passing away in 2008, though
William's death certificate shows he was widowed when he passed in 1997 (the two may have been divorced and remarried separately).
box WWII 145, folder 5, folder 26
Series 9, Correspondence to Anthony and Juanita from various authors 1942 December - 1946 January
Physical Description: 0.25 Linear feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains 34 correspondence from various authors to SSgt. Anthony P. Krebes, USA and his wife Juanita, either separately
or addressed to both, during the Second World War. These correspondence come in the form of letters, postcards and Western
Union telegrams. Authors include John Gens, 1st Lieutenant Ralph (Frank) Barrett, United States Army, Elmer Beagle, Staff
Sergeant George Kawula, United States Army, "Aunt" Jane Kroft, George Schreiber, unknown parents (signed "mom" or "dad"),
Mrs. Joseph Kish, and Anthony's sister Veronica.
1Lt. Barrett served with C Battery 110th Field Artillery Battalion in Germany while "pushing East of the Rhine" in April 1945
and writes one of his letters on a piece of blue stationery with a family crest in gold that he took from a German infantry
colonel. The colonel, said Barrett, did not need it anymore because he cannot write where he is "cooling his heels," presumably
captured.
SSgt. Kawula trained with Battery B, 75th Field Artillery Battalion at Camp Blanding in Florida, Fort Bragg, and then wrote
from Italy after the war had ended. His last letter is from Camp Carson, Colorado in October 1945.
box WWII 145, folder 6-7, folder 27-28
Series 10, Holiday and other greeting cards
Physical Description: 0.2 Linear feet(2 folders)
Language of Material: English.
This collection contains dozens of greeting cards, mostly with unknown authors and recipients. These cards were collected
later and packed into envelopes together as a collection. They include cards sent for Christmas, Valentines, birthdays, graduations,
and weddings. More cards were sent between the authors in other series and were kept with their original correspondence.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Greeting Card
box WWII 146, folder 1, folder 29
Series 11, Documents 1943 August 30 - 1945 July 28
Physical Description: 0.075 Linear feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This collection contains various documents relating to the Krebes and their experience during the Second World War. Included
are war ration books, a temporary pass to Fort Bragg for Juanita Krebes, an alottment receipt, and life insurance and healthcare
documents.
box WWII 146, folder 2, folder 30
Series 12, Ephemera
Physical Description: 0.075 Linear feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains various ephemeral items belonging to the SSgt. Anthony P. Krebes, USA and his wife Juanita during the
Second World War. The series includes a funny story, form letters of thanks and prayers for service members, a newsletter
from the Carnegie Steel Corporation dated June 22, 1944, a bus map, various notes, one booklet "A Guide to the Field Artillery
Replacement Training Center, Fort Bragg," an order form for "My Star of Hope," instructions for soldiers making guest house
reservations at Fort Bragg, one graduation program (for James Kish) dated June 16, 1945 and one Day of Prayer program dated
January 1, 1944 from Fort Bragg.
box WWII 146, folder 3, folder 31
Series 13, Patch and photograph negative
box WWII 146, folder 4, folder 32
Series 14, Clippings
Physical Description: 0.05 Linear feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains various clippings regarding events in Gary, Indiana during the Second World War. These clippings were
separated from the correspondence in other series and are not directly related to any one person. Other clippings can be found
in the other series with the original correspondence with which they were sent.