Moore (Robert E.) Second World War Correspondence, bulk 1944 - 1945

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Summary

Title:
Robert E. Moore Second World War correspondence
Dates:
bulk 1944 - 1945
Abstract:
This collection contains correspondence from 2nd Lt. Robert E. Moore II, USA to his wife Helen M. Moore during the Second World War.
Containers:
box: WWII 20
folder: 1-4
Extent:
.08 Linear feet (2 folders)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Robert E. Moore Second World War Correspondence (2017-718-w-rd), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is available online (excluding artifacts) at Chapman University's Digital Commons at https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/rmoore_correspondence/

This collection contains correspondence from 2nd Lt. Robert E. Moore, USA to his wife Helen Mendenhall Moore in Seminole, Oklahoma during the Second World War. Moore's correspondence begins in December 1944 when he is on his way back to Fort Meade, MD following a visit to Helen. He writes of a visit to Washington, D.C. to "see the sights" and visit Helen's sister Millie (Mildred). He writes of his dreams and plans for the future and of how much he loves and misses her. "You and I will get that ranch and be together for the rest of our lives."

January 1, 1945 he writes from "Somewhere in France." He writes he is safe, writing by candlelight, cannot share anything about what he's seen or done, "but some day I will tell you everything." Jan. 6 - "Honey I am so anxious to know if you are pregnant that I can hardly wait to find out."

Jan. 12 he writes "I am assigned to General Patton's third army... Last week I was in Fountainbleau [sic]...Dearest I will be in combat in a few days now. I have said my prayers and have ask [sic] God to protect me. With his help I will be safe and shall return home unharmed." He writes of having to travel by train in a boxcar with 40 other soldiers and feeling he would freeze to death.

January 22 - "I joined my Battery today and was very much pleased to find that almost all of them are from Okla and Texas; they are really a fine bunch of boys." January 24 - "We went over to one of the towns in Germany yesterday and got us a steer and had a good fresh stake (sic) for dinner today."

January 27 - "I have to go out to the O.P. tomorrow and see if I can't bump off a few Krauts. Don't worry, I'll take care of myself."

January 29 - "We got our P.X. rations yesterday - seven packs of cigaretts, some candy and soap and razor blades. It's all free."

January 31 - "...I haven't had a bath in a month ... a bath is a very rare luxury around here."

Feb. 4, Germany - "Darling if you can't read this don't be surprised. I am about half tight on Snapps (schnapps) which is some sort of French drink ..."

Feb. 13 - "I have been out as a forward observer. Pretty tough, Honey. It sure makes a felllow look to the great maker for comfort.... I am pretty well shaken up tonight. Mine eyes have seen -." Feb. 14 "Darling I wish you could see how beautiful the country is over her where it isn't torn up by war..Luxembourg is a pretty little country. But the most beautiful thing this side of the ocean is Scotland."

Feb. 18 he writes to comfort her for her miscarriage of twins. "..for the last two weeks I have known that something terrible had happened." "Darling at first I thought I would just quit believing in God... The whole world is a cruel thing, and if God doesn't take a hand soon, the world will be ruined."

Feb. 23 - "Honey you ask if I have seen any action ... I have seen war at its worst, and I sure will be glad when it is all over. I won't say anything more." March 1 he writes he is "flying every day."

March 3 - "Darling I don't know if I could stand it over here if it wasn't for thinking of the future and what we have to live for.... I sure like my job now."

March 18 - "Honey the war is really going our way now ...I was reading a piece in the paper about the war being over, but it hasn't happened yet. .. won't it be wondeful when we can be together again for the rest of our lives... I received the letter today in which you told me about loosing (sic) the babies ..."

March 29 - "I wish you would go to Business College again ..."

March 30 - "Honey tonight I am deep in Germany - far east of the Rhine river and my thoughts are many miles away, back in Texas with you..."

April 6 - Today we captured a house with about a trainload of whiskey in it. Everybody and his brother has a bottle. Boy are they high."

April 7 - "Darling I keep hoping and praying this war will end soon but it just keeps going on and on."

His last letter was written April 9, 1945 - "Sweetheart I have your picture before me now. You look so real ... Darling let's keep praying and trusting ..."

Moore was killed in action April 11, 1945 when his plane was shot down.

Biographical / historical:

Second Lieutenant Robert E. Moore, United States Army (8/18/1920 - 4/11/1945) was killed in action April 11, 1945 in Germany while serving in the Army. His name is listed in the World War II Casualty Lists hosted by the National Archives here:

https://nara-media-001.s3.amazonaws.com/arcmedia/media/images/29/16/29-1595a.gif and in the Fields of Honor database here: https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-margraten-m/67158-moore-robert-e-o1175249

According to the Fields of Honor database he was born August 18, 1920 and died April 11, 1945 and was a resident of Seminole, OK. According to Moore's correspondence, he and Helen were married June 19, 1943.

An obituary for Helen Moore Crimmel is at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/cincinnati/obituary.aspx?pid=179987397 and another at http://www.dwifuneralhome.com/notices/Helen-Crimmel

Acquisition information:
Gift of Helen Crimmel formerly Helen Moore. Donated by Doug Crimmel.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by material type, author and date.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Sharon Clairemont
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-05-21 16:46:12 -0400 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Preferred citation:

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Robert E. Moore Second World War Correspondence (2017-718-w-rd), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Contact:
(714) 532-7716
privette@chapman.edu
Website