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Cornwell, J Wilbur (Second World War correspondence, photographs, documents, and uniform)
2019.093.w.r  
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box WWII 65, folder 8, folder 1

Series 1, Correspondence 1941 May 31 - 1945 October

Physical Description: 0.04 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains 28 correspondence from T/Sgt. J Wilbur Cornwell, USA to his wife Orma during the Second World War. There are two letters from camps in the United States, two from New Guinea, and the rest were sent from the Philippines. Included in the correspondence is one Christmas V-Mail to his parents, one letter to his grandmother, and one birthday card to Orma. Also included is one photograph that was sent with the letter postmarked October 4, 1941 from Fort Sill showing JW and Orma at Mt. Scott in Lawton, Oklahoma on May 31.
In the correspondence he discusses his daily routine, the weather and heat of the South Pacific, leisure time and friends and family on the home front. There is also some description of the terrain and the physical nature of his location. Though in an observation battalion for artillery, many of his letters discuss ease of life during the Philippines Campaign that would suggest he was in the rear areas. This includes going to the ocean and stopping to see an old pipe organ, swimming, and even telling Orma that he will not be able to do yard work because his hands are getting soft (May 4, 1945). On April 23, 1945 he mentions casualties in the 14th FA Obsvn Bn with whom he served before, but there is little or no mention of his or his current unit's (Batt A, 289th FA Obsvn Bn) combat action or casualties.
On June 7, 1944 he is apparently helping Orma fill in a certificate for him and mentions the SS Exiria, but with no context.
On March 26, 1945 he responds to a remark by Orma suggesting that "the kids over there are not getting everything they need." He assures her that nobody is starving and though there are "shortages of this and that in a deal like this," everyone is fine as far as supplies.
Most of the letters end with a small "P.S. I love you" in the bottom left corner.
The last parcel is the birthday card from the Philippines, arranged where it is due to Orma's birthday in October and Cornwell's location of the Philippines at that time.
box WWII 65, folder 9, folder 2, box Oversize 3, folder 5

Series 2, Photographs 1939-1945

Physical Description: 0.04 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains 35 photographs of and relating to T/Sgt. J Wilbur Cornwell, USA and his wife Orma during the Second World War. Included are photographs of Cornwell in uniform, Orma, trucks and other soldiers at Camp Roberts, Fort Sill, and overseas in New Guinea and the Philippines. Some shots were taken from Camp Roberts and the Mojave Desert, including one of the moon and some shots taken inside and outside of their camping trailer. Also included are photographs of Filipino women and children and a bombed building. One of the photographs is a panorama of Battery B. The earliest photograph is a picture of Orma from the late 1930s that Cornwell carried with him while overseas.
One photograph is a panorama of Battery B in Folder 5.
One photograph is physically arranged with the correspondence, sent with the letter postmarked October 4, 1941.
box WWII 65, folder 10, folder 3

Series 3, Military documents 1941 November 6 - 1945 October 17

Physical Description: 0.01 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains military documents pertaining to T/Sgt. J Wilbur Cornwell, USA during the Second World War. Included are two special orders documents, two commendation memoranda, his Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, as well as a miniaturized copy, Separation Qualification Record, Immunization Register, . The miniature copy of his report of separation has been split and the front and back are now two pieces.
The two special orders include Cornwell's promotion to corporal on November 6, 1941 and promotion to technical sergeant on April 28, 1943.
Of the memoranda, one is a transmission of a message from General Douglas MacArthur expressing "admiration for the splendid conduct of the campaign east of Aitape PD..." This transmission was dated August 11, 1944.
The other memmorandum was dated May 30, 1945 and commends Battery A, 289th FA Obsn Bn for its actions during the period March 15 to May 30, 1945. The commendation is type signed by Brigadier General George V. Keyser, Commanding Officer, Headquarters, XI Corps Artillery.
flat-box Specimen box 2, Compartment 5, box WWII Uniforms 1

Series 4, Uniform and medals 1945-1946

Physical Description: 4 Linear feet(1 uniform, 1 specimen box container)
Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series includes one uniform, mostly complete, as well as ribbons and medals belonging to T/Sgt. J Wilbur Cornwell, USA during the Second World War.
The uniform is an enlisted green dress uniform, including trousers, jacket, khaki belt, khaki tie, and two green garrison caps. Each of the garrison caps have red piping signifying artillery, and one is flat on top and appears to have scarcely been worn. The other has a rounded top as was the norm after 1942.
The jacket also includes a left shoulder patch with dice for the XI Corps, a right breast patch of the "Ruptured Duck" honarable discharge emblem, and four ribbons on the right breast: American Defense, Philippine Liberation, Good Conduct, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign.
Also included are one spare ribbon each for the American Defense, Good Conduct, and Asiatic-Pacific Medals, two Good Conduct ribbons without backing (loose fabric), one full-size Good Conduct Medal, one small Good Conduct ribbon pin, as well as one small "Rupture Duck" pin.
box WWII 65, folder 11, folder 4

Series 5, Ephemera and ration books 1941 November 27 - 1944 January 19

Physical Description: 0.01 Linear feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains ephemera and ration books belonging to T/Sgt. J Wilbur Cornwell, USA during the Second World War. Included are three "First Drafts" cards, two holiday menus, five war ration books, and one basic formulas in electricity cheat sheet card.
The "First Drafts" are advertisements and "Newsnotes about Army life from Staff Sgt. Mark Wesler, late of the Wexler Printing Co., and now 'somewhere in the United States'--we hope."
Three of the war ration books belonged to Cornwell, and two belonged to his wife Orma.
The menus are ornate and include Thanksgiving and Christmas 1941 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, with personnel lists for the battery.