Ruth A. Adams Second World War correspondence collection, 1943 May 16 - 1946 May 14

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Summary

Creators:
Eagley, Donald A. , Seaman First Class, Long, Justice, Private, Gasseaux, Eugene A. , Electrician's Mate Third Class, Gibson , Arthur D. , Radioman Third Class, Ekey, Darwin S. , Seaman First Class, Galvia, Leon A. , Private First Class, Neissheim, William, Technician Fifth Grade, Birkhimer, Jack C., Private, Hoag, William P., Seaman First Class, Cline, Gardner E. , Private, and Cola, Johnnie V. , Apprentice Seaman
Abstract:
This collection contains 351 correspondence written to Ruth A. Adams by soldiers and sailors during the Second World War, including various holiday cards. Most of the collection, 307 letters, were written by EM3/C Eugene A. "Gene" Gasseaux, USN (USS Jobb). There were ten other soldiers and sailors, as well as six civilian authors of postcards and letters.
Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet (18 folders)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Ruth A. Adams Second World War correspondence collection (2020.035.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 351 correspondence written to Ruth A. Adams by soldiers and sailors during the Second World War, including various holiday cards. Most of the collection, 307 letters, were written by EM3/C Eugene A. "Gene" Gasseaux, USN (USS Jobb). There were ten other soldiers and sailors, as well as six civilian authors of postcards and letters.

Other servicemen authors include (in alphabetical order):
  • Pvt. Jack C. Birkhimer, USA,
  • Pvt. Gardner E. Cline, USAAF,
  • A/S Johnnie V. Cola, USN,
  • S1/c Donald A. Eagley, USN,
  • S1/c Darwin S. Ekey, USN,
  • PFC Leon A. Galvia, USA,
  • RM3/c Arthur D. Gibson, USN,
  • S1/c WP Hoag, USN,
  • Pvt. J. Long, USA,
  • T/5 WIlliam Neissheim, USA.

Other authors include Ruth's mother, Mrs. Rogers, Dottie, Sidney, Eugene Henderson, and Joyce.

NOTE: there appear to be no letters from EM Gasseaux during April 1945. Several letters from Gasseaux also include a note at the top, sometimes stamped, "Not for Publication," evidently written by him at the time.

Biographical / historical:

Ruth A. Adams was a reverend's daughters and classmates with several of the servicemen correspondents from Weir High School in Weirton, West Virginia. She was only 17 years old when she graduated after these correspondents were already in the service and she began attending Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee in the fall semester of 1944. Not much further information is known other than that which is contained in the letters.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Ruth Van Korlaar's collection, donated by Marleen Walker.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by author, then chronology.

  • Series 1, Correspondence from Eugene A. Gasseaux
  • Series 2, Correspondence from various servicemen
  • Series 3, Correspondence from various authors

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

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"], Ruth A. Adams Second World War correspondence collection (2020.035.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