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Thompson Family (Second World War and Persian Gulf War correspondence)
2017.113.w.r
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Table of contents
box Gulf War 1, folder 11
Series 1, Gulf War correspondence from Terry Summers 1990 November - 1991 February
Physical Description: .1 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains correspondence that MGSgt. Terry Summers, USMC wrote to Jo Thompson while serving with the Marines in
Bahrain during the Gulf War. The letters discuss the start of the air and ground campaigns during the Gulf War, the activities
on the Marine base, the climeate in Bahrain, and Marines' struggles with loneliness.
Letters of note include a letter from December 29, 1990 in which Summers recounts how he got the orders to go to the Persian
Gulf earlier in the year. A January 19, 1991 discuss the activity on January 16, 1991 before the start of the air campaign.
Summers writes that "the night of the 16th we went to sleep with a pretty good idea it was going to kick off." He adds that
they got shots in the arms and hips they had not received before and that they started taking pills for nerve gas around noon
that day.
A Feb 4, 1991 letter metnions SCUD attacks on Bahrain and the beginning of the ground war. A few letters address the anti-war
marches in the United States. A February 8, 1991 letter mentions two men getting "Dear John" letters from their wives.
In a letter postmarked December 29 1990, Summers mentions getting his picture taken with a four star general (General Grey?
It could be General Alfred Gray Jr.).
The series also contains a newspaper clipping from the January 24, 1991 edition of the Gulf Daily News.
box Gulf War 1, folder 2
Series 2, Second World War correspondence from Durand R. Miller 1945
Physical Description: .025 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
This series contains transcribed letters that Lt. Durand R. Miller, USMC sent to his parents after the Battle of Iwo Jima
in 1944. According to information provided by the donor, the letters were published in the Nassau Daily Review-Star.
In the letters, Miller writes about the battle and its different phases, with brief week-by-week descriptions. He also writes
of being wounded during the battle when he was hit by shrapnel. Miller writes that there "isn't a Marine on all of IWO who
hasn't a piece of lead or steel in him some where -- and I'm no exception." However, Miller's injury did not require medical
attention.
Miller fought with the 5th Marines and, according to the donor, was "said to be the only surviving 2nd Lieut. to walk off
of IWO."