Finding Aid for the Robert H. Swanson Cold War correspondence 2017.506.w.r
Lorraine Shaller
Center for American War Letters Archives
8/4/2017
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Robert H. Swanson Cold War correspondence
Creator:
Swanson, Robert
source:
Lieber, Kathleen
Identifier/Call Number: 2017.506.w.r
Physical Description:
1 Linear Feet
(1 record carton)
Date (inclusive): 1952 March 28 - 1954 February 18
Abstract: This collection contains letters and military documents related to the service of PFC Robert Swanson, USA. Swanson was stationed
as part of the Army Signal Corps in Germany and England during the Cold War.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: Cold War 1
Container: 1-6
Container: 1-6
Container: Cold War 2
Container: 1-6
Container: 7-12
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the Robert H. Swanson Family, donated by Kathleen Lieber.
This collection is arranged by material type, author, and date.
- Series 1, Correspondence from Robert Swanson
- Series 2, Military documents
Private First Class Robert H. Swanson, United States Army (6/5/1928 - 3/2/1999) was born in Chicago, Illinois but lived in
Morton Grove, IL. His father died when he was four years old and was sent to live with relatives, on and off, during the Great
Depression in Escanaba, Michigan. His mother remarried and he returned to Morton Grove permanently around the age of 10. Swanson
attended Niles High School in Skokie, IL and studied to be a typesetter during or just after high school. He retired in Morton
Grove at 68 years old and died two years later from stomach cancer, caused by excessive handling of lead type.
Source: donor.
[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Robert H. Swanson Cold War Correspondence (2017.506.w.r), Center for American War
Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.
This collection contains correspondence from PFC Robert H. Swanson, USA to his wife Grace Anita Swanson and his mother, father,
and brother. Swanson's letters mostly describe his day-to-day life as part of the Army Signal Corps stationed first at Camp
Gordon, Georgia, then at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey and later overseas in Germany and England. Swanson talks about his life in
"the shop" working on the radar machines, as well as his trips into the various towns to see shows, visit bars, and sightsee.
He talks specifically about visiting Norwich on several occasions, as well as London and Westminister Cathedral.
There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the
responsibility of the reseacher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Cold War (1945-1989) -- Letters
United States -- Army -- European Theater of Operations
United States. -- Army.
Lieber, Kathleen
box Cold War 1, folder 1-6, folder 1-6, box Cold War 2, folder 1-5, folder 7-11
Series 1, Correspondence from Robert Swanson 1952 March 28 - 1954 February 18
Physical Description: 1 Linear Feet(1 carton)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains correspondence from Robert Swanson to his wife Grace during the Cold War. Swanson was stationed in Germany
for a time working as a radio technician. He writes about his work, going to the Post Exchange, and going to shows in the
towns around his military bases. He spends most of his letters asking for items from home and discussing life in his shop.
box Cold War 2, folder 6, folder 12
Series 2, Military documents 1952 March 20 - April 9