Cook, Kieth L. (Second World War correspondence), 1945 May 09 - 1946 September 24

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Summary

Title:
Keith L. Cook Second World War correspondence
Dates:
1945 May 09 - 1946 September 24
Creators:
Cook, Keith L. , Private First Class, b. 1927, Ward, Dale S., Sergeant, Wenger, Russel J. , Sergeant, b. 1924, and Ramp, Rebecca S.
Abstract:
This collection contains the correspondence of PFC Kieth L. Cook, USA while training during and after the Second World War ended and his overseas duty in Japan after the Second World War ended. Included are letters written to the Cook family from another family member serving, SGT Russel J. Wenger, and a family friend, SGT Dale S. Ward. There is also one photograph of PFC Cook and his sisters, as well as an honor roll pamphlet.
Containers:
box: WWII 149
folder: 6-10
folder: 1-5
Extent:
.5 Linear Feet (5 folders)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Kieth L. Cook Second World War correspondence (2017.615.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.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains 105 Correspondence from PFC Keith L. Cook, USA to his mother, Mrs. Cook, and the rest of the family during the Second World War. This collection also contains three correspondence from SGT Russell J. Wagner, USA to his aunt, Mrs. Cook, PFC Cook's mother, during the Second World War as well as one correspondence from SGT Dale S. Ward, USA to Mrs. Cook during the Second World War. Additionally included are one photograph and one honor roll pamphlet.

Biographical / historical:

Private First Class Kieth L. Cook, United States Army (b. 1/7/1927) was born in Elkhart, Indiana. He graduated from Jimtown High School in 1945. He registered for the draft on January 8, 1945, and his first letter began on May 9, 1945. PFC Cook trained as an Infantryman at Camp Livingston, LA. after completion of training he was shipped to Fort Ord, CA where he embarked to Japan. After the war, PFC Cook worked in a foundry, drove a school bus, and farmed/milked dairy cattle until he retired in 1991.

The other two writers included in this collection are Sergeant Dale S. Ward, United States Army who was a family friend and attended high school with PFC Cook, and Sergeant Russel J. Wenger, United States Army. Russel J. Wenger (03-13-1924) was born in Wakarusa, IN to Russel Lowell Wenger and Ruth Viola (Weldy) Wenger. He attended school in Wakarusa from 1st through 7th grades. He then moved to Ohio and worked on Meadow Home Farm while attending eighth and ninth grade at Russel School in Russel, OH. He attended Chester School for his grade 10 through 12 and lived and worked at Tellings Belle Vernon Farm in Novelty, OH. after returning from service in the army, he married Doris Russell (8-24-1946) and stayed within his sisters home, where the West Geauga High Scool building is now located.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Rebecca S. Ramp, daughter of PFC Kieth L. Cook, USA
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged chronologically in the following series:

  • Series 1, Correspondence from Kieth to family
  • Series 2, Correspondence to Cook family and photograph

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Benjamin Stevens
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-04-15 13:13:44 -0400 .

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.

Preferred citation:

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Kieth L. Cook Second World War correspondence (2017.615.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.

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