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McCormick, Howard E. (Second World War and Cold War correspondence)
2017.538.w.r
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Table of contents
box WWII 121, folder 1-7, folder 1-7, box WWII 122, folder 1-9, folder 8-16
Series 1, Correspondence from Howard McCormick to Peggy McCormick 1943 April 16 - 1945 August 10
Language of Material: English.
This series contains correspondence from Howard McCormick to his wife Peggy McCormick (nee Griffin). The earliest letters
are from 1943, before they are married; the last are from the 1950s. McCormick writes frequently, while overseas as much as
three times a day beginning in 1944.
From August 1944 through August 1945 most letters are typewritten. He signs his letters "Mac." -- In April 1943 1st Lt. McCormick
is writing from the Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics in Orlando, FL to Peggy in Meridian, MS. He writes mostly of
his love for her - "Strange - this disease called love. Fear that I have an incurable case ..."
May 9 - Regarding his phone call to her: "In effect, Peggy, I asked you to marry me last night. I hadn't intended to, but
my heart sort of took control of my tongue." He writes he may not be worthy of her as he's never had a job, doesn't know how
to save money and doesn't know what he'd do if the war ended immediately. However, his next letter, dated July 18, is addressed
to her as Mrs. Howard McCormick. He writes of missing her as his training takes him to Alachua Air Base near Gainsville, then
to Birmingham, AL and to Congaree Army Air Field in Columbia, SC. He writes of his regret over their difference of religion
"Darling, I do wish this religion situation was all settled amicably for all concerned, bothers me for you to be in such a
quandrum with no possible out that won't hurt somebody." In March 1944 he becomes part of the 406th Fighter Bomber Group.
He writes how important her letters are to him - he tells her how to write, what to write, how often to write. He wants to
hear details of her days although he is not allowed to write about his. He expresses concern about her health and that of
their unborn child. In early April he is writing from England. He writes of his lonliness and missing her in every letter.
On July 30, 1944 he writes he is "safely ensconced in France." He writes often of how much he relies on her letters for his
happiness and well-being. August 1944 - he writes he expects the war will be over by the end of the year or sooner.
Aug. 2 - "See where the Jerries claim Rommel is not dead. Frankly, it makes little difference. They will need more than brilliant
generals to stave off the defeat which is slowly, but surely, coming their way.... Our boys are half way across the Brest
peninsula."
August 3 - "One thing you must never do is worry about my personal health or safety, though, Darling. Just being in the sort
of outfit I am takes care of that... I am living a life of Reilly compared to the boys at the front." About other soldiers'
interest in war equipment left behind by Germans "Souvenirs of this bloody mess don't seem right to me .. not unless they
are useful. I'd just as soon forget all about the damn thing when it is over."... "I don't like the slightest thing about
being a soldier over here. Nothing but a bloody mess ... no matter how you look at it. Then, when it is all over, and six
million men come home to look for jobs ... we'll have another mess."
August 9, 1944 - he writes of his opinion on "inter-marriage between any two differently colored races." He writes often of
his distaste for alcohol.
August 23, 1944 - writes "Hurray! Just heard the announcement that Paris fell to our troops thirty minutes ago." He writes
about the weather, food, living arrangements, other soldiers' wives having babies, progress of the war, possibility of having
to go to the Pacific theater to fight the Japanese, his impending fatherhood, his concern for her health, popular songs, movies
he sees, "All my life is repetition ... I eat, sleep, work ..."
Sept. 7 - he outlines the policy and procedure for determining when soldiers will return after the war. Notes he will not
be among the first.
Sept. 10, 1944 - he writes of his first visit to Paris "Darling, it is the most beautiful city I have ever seen! Positively
out of this world!" He writes of anxiety about upcoming childbirth and not receiving word as mail is slow and unpredictable
and of saving money for when he gets home as job prospects unpredictable. In some letters he is reminiscing about dates, friends,
movies and meals they had before he went overseas.
Sept. 26 - "One thing that annoys me is to be called a "liberator." Technically, we might all be called such, but I have done
nothing of a direct nature, personally, to liberate France. Don't know the first thing about combat and never will." ...re:
making love with her for the first time.
Oct. 11 - "Incidentally, if there is anything that makes me mad, it is to see a negro with a couple of attractive French girls
around here! My blood just boils and boils! I blame it on the girls too ... surely they must know better."
October 14 - On insisting his wife hire a maid or cook when she has the baby "Trying to do too much is what makes so many
women old before their time .."
Oct. 16, 1944 - "I hit the jackpot on mail today! Five wonderful, adorable letters from you! I'm in the completest ecstacy
of happiness that I have felt since leaving you. Don't know whether I'm coming, going or gone!" He often remarks on the unreliability
and delays in receiving mail. He writes about his concerns regarding the baptism of their baby, difficluty in pleasing family
and finding suitable godparents. On his lonliness "It is as though I have been deprived of the privilege of breathing by some
omnipotent force."
Oct. 20, 1944 - he writes of prospects on the current weather affecting the war and it's end and the end of the war in Europe
and its effect on the war with Japan.
October 21, 1944 - Cigarette rations.
Oct. 22 - description of his living quarters.
Oct. 26, 1944 he writes of his excitement and pleasure of finally receiving a letter announcing his daughter's birth. "Golly!
I have been a father seventeen whole days now!.. Oh Jeepers! I'm just bubbling over! I don't know what to do!.. I feel like
singing with joy and...yet I want to cry! Thank you...thank you, my wonderful Sweetheart!" Tells of drinking with buddies
in celebration and getting very drunk. Swears he will never do it again. He speculates on the end of the war in Europe and
whether he will serve in the Army of Occupation or in the Pacific. He complains about cigarette rationing - that the Army
is not supplying enough to suit him "A pack and a half is my (daily) smoking minimum."
Nov. 16, 1944 he writes of receiving the Bronze Star medal.
Nov. 20, 1944 - he writes about male friendship.
Nov.22, 1944 - describes house plans for their "dream house" and includes drawing of floor plan. Learning to play cribbage,
reading "The Robe." Regarding his future military service he writes he would accept only a "Reserve Commisssion" writing "I
just can't see myself in the peace time Army ...There is far too much class distinction and social involvement .. my main
interest is to go home and live a strictly non-military existence in accordance with nobodies (sic) rulings but our own."
Dec. 1944 - worried because he doen't get mail. Dec 14 - "I'm half crazy with fear!"
Dec. 17, 1944 - "My patriotic spirits are at an extremely low ebb these days. They can take this nice little war of theirs
and ...!" he writes of the progress of the war in Germany, China. Dec 19 - "Woe is me! I'm so damnably lonely!" His only
entertainment is writing to her. Says he wouldn't care if they took away all the movies and officers clubs. Most important
things in his life are letters and cigarettes. Writes of serving on military court occasionally. --
Dec. 22 - "I love beautiful and untainted things, Precious. I love clarity and despise guile in any form. I don't like crowded
masses of reaking (sic), rotten, immoral people .....all covered up with a thin coating of society that is nothing more than
an ironical farce....Trouble is that it is all to (sic) easy in this world to let sensuality and personal covetness .. rule
a persons (sic) practical thoughts and actions.. Desires that were meant to be normal and beautiful have been twisted and
torn ..."
Jan. 1945 - He starts referring to their baby, Cheryl, by her nickname "Sunny."
Jan. 8, 1945 - he writes about his time in England the previous summer and watching "literally hundreds" of buzz bombs shot
down near his base. Jan. 9 - he writes explaining provisions of the GI Bill and his interest in returning to college although
he doesn't know what occupation interests him. Of his job in commmunications for the Army "Once we are set up and everything
functions smoothly, there really can't be a hell of a lot to do. It is when things break down or go wrong that I become busy
then,"
Jan. 11, 1945 - "So far, they have sentenced four men to something like fifty years imprisonment as a result of the black
marketing of our cigarettes over here. Trials are still being held, as something like one hundred eighty-four men were involved
in the deal. Thirty or forty million packs of cigarettes a month certainly put their crime on a grand scale... not to mention
the harm done to the average GIs morale."
Jan. 12, 1945 - he explains his personality and preferences as what he calls "an individualist." He writes about how he doesn't
like to socialize with the other men, doesn't have and doesn't want a close friend or buddy. "I try to keep out of other peoples
business, etc., and expect them to do the same with mine... I don't have any friend that you could consider friends. I don't
want any. However, it has been brought to my attention in many far from delicate ways that my attitude is not at all appreciated
or held in any sort of esteem. To be perfectly honest, Darling, your husband is becoming something of an outcast among the
officers he normally has associated with. ... This situation came to something of a head last night. Whitney and I had a bit
of a run in... I'm stubborn and hard headed. I'm proud as a peacock. Perhaps too damn proud. I don't know how it is going
to work out and when I think of it too much, I get so damn mad that I don't give a hoot!" He asks her advice on what he should
do. January 16 - he complains of the monotony of his job - "just a little more bored and disgusted each day."
Jan. 18, 1945 - he writes of five soldiers sentenced to death for desertion, stealing gasoline and selling it on black market.
Feb. 1, 1945 - has moved camp. Now in an apartment house "only slightly ravaged by the passing of war."
Feb. 12 writes he is living in a tent with "more holes than canvas" in a "mud hole of an airfield" in Belgium, and is using
Belgian francs.
Feb. 15, 1945 - he writes of his concern for her safety as he's read news of a tornado in their home town, Meridian, MS killing
seven and injuring fifty.
Feb. 1945 - he writes about the Binnemans family with whom he is staying in Belgium, describing their "adoption" of him.
Feb. - Mar., 1945 - He continues to write about everyday events, the weather, meals, movies, playing cards and ping-pong,
some work, progress of the war, plans and daydreams about their future, his lonliness and low morale, and especially the lack
of mail. He visits Cologne after it falls and shares his thoughts on how he thinks Germans and Germany should be treated.
He writes of the project he's been assigned to bring electricity to his camp/air base working with Belgian electric and construction
companies.
April 15 - writes his company has moved into Germany, taken over "a lovely little town, having kicked all the civilians out."
Finds himself at first unable to loot although other soldiers have, then finds somethings he wants to send her. Wishes her
a happy 21st birthday.
May 2, 1945 he writes of getting word of his promotion to rank of Major and writes he will increase his allotment $50/month
to $300.00.
May 7 - "I'm expecting to hear the announcement that the war is over anytime now ... You could cut the tension around here
with a knife right now... People are finished worrying about the war and strictly concentrating on what is going to happen
to themselves."
May 9 - he writes about a trip to Belgium and VE celebrations there.
May 11 - He shares information he couldn't previously about this location and responsibilities. He writes in detail about
his trans-Atlantic crossing to England in March April 1944, his station in Ashford, Kent, crossing the English Channel and
station near Bayeux, France and subsequent moves across France, into Belgium and then Germany.
May 14 - he writes of a trip across part of Germany; "I'm convinced now that Germany is easily the loveliest country in Europe.
I'll neever be able to fully understand why these people ever wanted war. They simply had everything. Now...they have next
to nothing." He goes on to describe German people and his unsympathetic feelings about them. Letters from May through June
are often speculation about next assignments and when and if he will be coming home, and as always, about his lonliness. He
describes the base and living quarters near Cuxhaven on the north coast of Germany. He write frequently of social mores and
finds great fault with soldiers' extramarital affairs, the unfaithfulness of wives "back home" and the morality of the world
in general.
August 8 and 9 - remarks on the atomic bomb dropped on Japan and its significance.
August 9 -"I'm glad to learn the Army has released DDT for civilian usage now."
The last letter from the war is Aug. 10, 1945 - "Still sweating out further news on a possible Japanese surrender."
box WWII 122, folder 10, folder 17, box WWII 123, folder 1, folder 18
Series 2, Correspondence from Howard McCormick to Peggy McCormick 1946-1958
Language of Material: English.
This series contains letters written by Howard after the war from the Northington campus of the University of Alabama to Peggy
in Meridian, MS. Of resuming his correspondence to her, in September 1946, he writes "Sure seems funny to be doing this again.
Sure hope it is only for a very little while at the most." He writes of registering for classes, his living arrangements and
concern about finances. Subsequent letters are about his course work, renting rooms in their house, and household finances
in general. Nov. 5 - his letter includes his thoughts on the birth of their son, Howard, Jr. whom, in subsequent letters,
they call "Doc." Nov. 20 - he writes of an interview with the Army. Dec. 5 - writes he is getting bored with school, glad
end of quarter is near. The last letter (undated) indicates he is back in the Army. 1948 - he is writing to Peggy from Eglin
Field, near Valparaiso, FL. In a 1955 letter he writes from his parents' home where he is visiting he updates Peggy on family
news. The last correspondence in this series is a April 1956 birthday card for Peggy.
box WWII 123, folder 2, folder 19
Series 3, Correspondence from Howard McCormick with Mrs. W.A. Griffin 1944-1953
Language of Material: English.
This series contains letters and greeting cards written by Howard McCormick and his mother-in-law, Mrs. W. A. (Clara) Griffin.
Correspondence written in 1944 - 1945 concerns Peggy's health and that of the baby, Cheryl, some news of Peggy's brother,
Bill, and other family news. A letter from May 1953 tells of the young McCormick family's plan for sailing from Germany and
returning to New York and Meridian, MS.
box WWII 123, folder 3, folder 20
Series 4, Correspondence between Howard McCormick and his parents 1944-1945
Language of Material: English.
This series contains correspondence exchanged between Howard McCormick and his parents during the war. Most of the letters
are from his parents to Howard. They congratulate him on his promotion to Captain and later to Major, and share news of family
and friends. Mrs. McCormick writes of their desire to move to another neighborhood because "The Italians are over-running
the street here. The people next door aren't bad but still they are Italian, so --" In a letter May 2, 1945 Howard writes
about options for his life and career following the war. In the last letter in this series, August 1945, Mrs. McCormick writes
how happy she is the war is over and that Howard would be home soon.
box WWII 123, folder 4, folder 21
Series 5, Correspondence to Howard McCormick from friends 1943-1975
Language of Material: English.
This series contains correspondence to Howard from various friends. McCormick is variously addressed as Ace, Butch and Red.
Correspondents include Paul Hesler, Harold (Micky) Vogel, Frederick Wohlker, Patrick Daurio, Russell Hedrick and Francois
Binnemans. Most of the letters tell of friends experiences in military service and inquire about Howard's service and his
family. The letter (1950) from Francois Binnemans is written in French. (McCormick stayed with the Binnemans family when he
was stationed in Belgium, near Genk-Limbourg). A second, undated, correspondence from Francois Binnemans includes a personal
note written on an electrical plan written in French.
box WWII 123, folder 5-8, folder 22-25, box WWII 124, folder 1-4, folder 26-29
Series 6, Correspondence from Peggy McCormick to Howard McCormick 1943-1949
Language of Material: English.
This series contains correspondence from Peggy McCormick to Howard from 1943 to 1949. The bulk of the series was written during
Howard's service in the war. Her letters begin before Howard goes overseas. She is living with her mother. She writes of her
morning sickness and of details of her everyday life preparing meals, housekeeping, shopping, her health during her pregnancy,
concerns about his health and safety, family news, going to movies, and about other roomers in her mother's home. In every
letter she writes about how much she loves and misses him. In Nov. 1944 she writes describing the baby's birth and that it
cost $175.00. She also writes "Darling I am smoking pretty heavily these days. Gone back to using a pack every day or so.
I am sure that it doesn't affect the baby in any way." Her Dec. 29, 1944 letter includes a drawing of the floor plan of the
house in which Peggy and her mother live. In 1945 there are only eight pieces of correspondence from Peggy to Howard. The
last letter indicates she and the baby are in New York with Howard's parents, anticipating his return from overseas. In the
1946 correspondence Peggy is writing to Howard at the University of Alabama from their home in Meridian, Mississippi. The
correspondence begins in late September. Among the topics she writes about are getting a mortgage to buy a house, the impending
birth of their second child, a long waiting list for diapers at stores, Howard's visits home, anecdotes about their daughter
(Cheryl) "Sunny," household finances, issues with renting rooms in their house, the birth of their baby boy, Howard, Jr.,
and her health and recovery from childbirth. The last letter is dated Dec. 6, 1946. The 1947 correspondence continues in January
from Peggy in Meridian, MS to Howard at the University of Alabama. Topics discussed are her health, receipt of a long overdue
check from the government, news of friends and relatives. There are no letters from January 20 to December 10, 1947. In the
December letter she describes all the presents she has purchased for the family and includes the price of each. The final
correspondence is a telegram from Peggy to Howard on their anniversary, June 2, 1949.
box WWII 124, folder 4, folder 29
Series 7, Correspondence from Peggy McCormick with family and friends 1943-1972
Language of Material: English.
This series contains letters and postcards written by and to Peggy McCormick from friends and family between 1941 and 1972.
Most of the letters are from Peggy to her mother Clara Griffin. Early in that correspondence (1941) Peggy writes to her mother
about attending high school in Columbia, SC and asks for "cute" clothes that will allow her to fit in "the crowd I run around
with." In a subsequent letter (1942) written from Los Angeles, California she writes she is "Deep in the heart of Hollywood"...having
a most wonderful time...I feel as though I may be sitting on top of the world." The next letters are written to her mother
and daughter from Germany where she is with her husband and son "Doc." In 1952 she writes to her mother asking for "old, wearable
clothes" that she can sell in Germany. In July 1952 she writes of her husband's promotion to Colonel. On Feb.6, 1953 she writes
to her mother from Germany about losing her baby to stillbirth and that he, William Samuel McCormick, will be buried at the
American Cemetery in Frankfort. In the last letter in this series Peggy writes to her mother from California in 1963. She
writes about her baby (William G., born in 1962) and about her daughter Cheryl (19).
-- The series also includes correspondence from Peggy's brother William (Bill) Griffin and from a suitor, Chuck, who writes
of his love in June 1943 apparently not knowing Peggy was married by that time.
box WWII 124, folder 5, folder 30
Series 8, Correspondence from William S. Griffin to Clara Griffin 1940-1951
Language of Material: English.
This series contains correspondence from William S. Griffin to his mother Clara Griffin. (William "Bill" or "Billy" is Peggy
McCormick's brother). In his first letter, written from the University of Mississippi, he asks his mother to write to a Louise
Harding on his behalf to tell her he is in love with her and plans to marry her. He says he cannot write to Louise because
he is too busy. He later married, Mary Beth Kelly Griffin. Subsequent letters discuss personal finances, his family's health,
his lonliness, and very little about his role in the war. On Nov. 24, 1942 he writes "...you see now your son is a Captain
- how about that; a Captain at 24 - pretty good eh!" He repeatedly tells her not to worry and that he is safe. "...Outside
of a strenuous schedule, about all one has to fight here is lonliness. My God, I get lonely." The last letter written during
the war is from April 22, 1945. Two subsequent letters are from 1950 and 1951.
box WWII 124, folder 6, folder 31
Series 9, Correspondence between Clara Griffin and her family 1941-1953
Language of Material: English.
This series contains correspondence between Clara Griffin and family. Clara Griffin is mother to William "Bill" Griffin and
Peggy Griffin McCormick. This series includes two letters to her son, a note card to Clara signed "Peg," a postcard from Clara's
granddaughter, Cheryl McCormick (aka Sunny), and a postcard from Carrie announcing "Your child is here." Included in the correspondence
are two Release from Deliquent Tax documents regarding properties assessed to Mrs. Clara O. Griffin.
box WWII 124, folder 7, folder 32
Series 10, Correspondence from Mary Beth Griffin to Clara Griffin 1942-1944
Language of Material: English.
This series contains letters from Mary Beth Griffin (aka "Butchie") to Clara Griffin. Mary Beth was married to Clara's son
William S. (Bill) Griffin. In her first letter she writes of her decision to move to Columbia, SC from Meridian, MS to be
near her parents while her husband is away at war. Subsequent letters mention her working, asking for her clothes to be sent
to her, and Christmas gifts. July 1944 letters discuss Bill's anticipated travel home from the war and his recommended promotion
to Major.
box WWII 124, folder 8, folder 33
Series 11, Correspondence from Howard E. McCormick, Jr. to Howard E. McCormick, Sr. 1967
Language of Material: English.
This series contains two letters from Howard, Jr. to his father Howard E. McCormick, Sr. In the August 9, 1967 letter he writes
to ask for financial assistance to pay tuition and fees at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is writing to his father
in Europe. He mentions his wife Sherilyn and signs his letter "Doc." In the Nov. 19, 1967 letter he writes about moving back
to Meridian, MS where he and his wife have bought a home with the assistance of his grandmother "Bigmother" (Clara Griffin).
He speaks of renting it out when he returns to a "four year institution." He also writes about his job selling shoes, working
54 hours/week to make $55/week plus commission. He writes of plans to work fulltime until college starts spring semester and
of wanting to get a two year degree "in data processing and I.B.M. computer programming" saying "the future is changing and
the change is to I.B.M., computers, and electronics and I want my future and my familie's (sic) future secured."
box WWII 124, folder 9, folder 34
Series 12, Military correspondence 1945-1978
Language of Material: English.
This series contains correspondence between McCormick and other military officers concerning work and personnel. It includes
an authorization for official travel, a performance evaluation, letters regarding changes in assignment, invitations, notes
of appreciation and other correspondence of a personal/prefessional nature.
box WWII 124, folder 10-11, folder 35-36
Series 13, Biographical material 1943-1978
Language of Material: English.
This series contains an official biography of McCormick from the U.S. Air Force, two personal resumes, a brief bio for Peggy
McCormick, a photocopy of a 1976 article from Astro News about McCormick becoming SAMSO (Space and Missle Systems Organization)
Vice Commander, a 1945 press release announcing McCormick's promotion to Major, and a copy of a (c.1943) press release announcing
McCormick's promotion to Captain. A second folder contains news articles about McCormick including a 1977 article from the
Great Falls (MT) Tribune about Montana businessmen visiting SAMSO at Norton AFB in California, a 1977 article from Astro News
headlined "General McCormick Visits SATAF," a 1976 Astro News article headlined "General McCormick Takes Reins as SAMSO Vice
Commander," three undated clippings of a photograph of McCormick jogging in his Meridian, MS neighborhood, and a Christmas
card with three newspaper photographs enclosed of WWII service men referred to as "Islanders" carrying out daily tasks.
box WWII 124, folder 12, folder 37, box WWII 125, folder 1, folder 38
Series 14, Photographs 1974-1976
Language of Material: English.
This series contains four photographic prints of Howard McCormick. Two black and white images are formal portraits of him
in uniform. Two images are in color and are less formal. There are negatives for the color images and a brief note to McCormick
from the photographer. -- Separately, there is a photo album from Headquarters United States Air Force, ACS/Systems For Command,
Control, Communications and Computers. A title pages says the album was made especially for Major General Howard E. McCormick
USAF (Retired), & Mrs. McCormick of the Retired General Officers' Conference, 17 October 1989, Scott AFB, IL. Images in the
album include McCormick, but other people are not identified.
box WWII 124, folder 2-4, folder 39-41, box Oversize 1, folder 19
Series 15, Ephemera 1944-1978
Language of Material: English.
This series contains ephemera relating to the McCormick family history, general ephemera, and a Spanish language textbook.
In the family ephemera are a birth announcement for Cheryl Jean McCormick, 1944; the program for the Opening Exercises of
the Air Communication and Electronic Staff Officers' Course, 17 January 1949; a bill for the funeral of "Infant daughter of
Mr. & Mrs. H.A. McCormick, June 23, 1950;" a bill and letter from the War Dept., US AREUR QM Mortuary Services Detachment
regarding floral services at the German cemetary where the Mcormick's infant son was buried in 1953; a newsletter clipping
from June 1978 in which Peggy McCormick writes a farewell/retirement message; a newspaper clipping, photo and caption about
Cheryl McCormick selected as Grid Princess at El Camino College in Torrance, CA; a newspaper clipping with photo and caption
of Bill Griffin, director of alumni activities at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). -- General ephemera include a
program for Change of Command - Commander in Chief Pacific ceremony atHickam Air Force Base in 1972;an organizational flow
chart of the Headquarters of the Commander in Chief Pacific; a list of names and addresses AFOAC Military Personnel; a flyer
from the Northern Virginia Committee for Victory over Communism warning about communists planning to take control of the U.S.
before 1976 bicentennial; an invitation to the commissioning of the U.S.S. Savannah in 1970; a May 1988 obituary for Major
General Robert E. Sadler, USAF (Ret.) in SIGNAL magazine; a puzzle ring instruction booklet; a note listing the address of
a John Phillips; thank you cards; and three pages of McCormick's note paper listing various figures and equations. -- Another
piece of ephemera is a Spanish language paperback textbook belonging to Howard McCormick. A French restaurant menu can be
found in the CAWL Oversize Box #1, Folder #19.
box WWII 125, folder 5, folder 42
Series 16, 406th Fighter Bomber Group reunion planning material 1980-1981
Language of Material: English.
This series contains correspondence from Lt. Col. Jack Robinson (Ret.) to WWII members of the 406th Fighter Bomber Group in
relation to planning a reunion in 1981 in Arlington, TX and a subsequent trip to Europe in 1984. The series includes correspondence
and lists of names and addresses of members of the group. It also includes a portion of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper
including an article about the reunion in which Howard McCormick is quoted about buzz bomb attacks near the bomber base in
Kent, England. The article includes some history of the Group. The series also includes a nametag for "Mac McCormick."
box WWII 125, folder 6, folder 43
Series 17, War College Thesis and Individual Problem essay 1961
Language of Material: English.
This series contains a type-written, paperbound thesis titled "Encouragement of Nationalism and Independence By the United
States," March 1961, submitted to the War College, Air University, United States Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama,
submitted by "Howard E. McCormick, 20744A, Lt. Colonel, USAF." It also includes and essay or "Individual Problem, Phase 61-4"
titled "An Analysis and Evaluation of United States General War Strategy for 1961," submitted by Howard McCormick to the War
College, Air University, 6 March 1961.
box WWII 125, folder 7, folder 44
Series 18, Catholic parish newsletters edited by Howard McCormick 1960-1961
Language of Material: English.
This series contains 12 original issues of two newsletters. Two issues are of "The Parish Newsletter" from Ramstein Catholic
Parish in Germany, one from March 1960 and one from April 1960. Howard E. McCormick is listed in the masthead as Editor. --
Ten issues are of the publication "The Queen's News" from Our Lady Queen of Mercy Catholic Parish in Montgomery, AL. Three
issues are from Dec. 1960, one issue from Jan. 1961, two issues from Feb. 1961, two issues from April 1961 and two issues
from May 1961. The December 1960 issue lists Howard E. McCormick as chairman of the newspaper committee.
box WWII 125, folder 8, folder 45
box WWII 125, folder 9, folder 46, folder WWII O-F 6, folder 47
Series 20, Awards 1968-1984
Language of Material: English.
This series contains 1) an "Okie" award certificate from the governor of the State of Oklahoma granted in 1970 2) a certificate
for life membership in The Retired Officers Association, and 3) a certificate and citation for The Legion of Merit awarded
in 1968 and a subsequent citation of Legion of Merit (First Oak Leaf Cluster) award in 1972. The 1968 Legion of Merit certificate
and citation are in a bound award cover.
box WWII 125, folder 10, folder 48
Series 21, Newspapers and news articles 1945-1995
Language of Material: English.
This series contains various newspapers and news articles. They are of tangential relevance to the rest of the collection.
They include, in chronological order, 1) a newspaper clipping (c. 1945) about the awarding of military honors to Sgt. Frank
P. Phillips who was reported missing in action in 1944 (possibly a friend of Howard McCormack); 2) a 1946 edition of The Meridan
(MS) Star celebrating the newspaper's 50th anniversary and detailing the history of the newspaper and the city; 3) a July
21, 1969 edition of the Omaha World-Herald reporting the first moon landing; an April 2, 1995 article in "Sunshine" news magazine,
a Sunday supplement in the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, titled Wake of the War, 1945-1995 - The Winds of Peace.