Physical Description: 0.1 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically, irrespective of author.
Scope and Contents
This series contains 16 letters and 4 empty envelopes from various soldiers and sailors to Mildred H. Walter during the Second
World War.
Authors include:
- Colonel Dale G. Savage, USA
- Master Sergeant James A. Priebe, USA
- Mary Priebe, D.RC
- Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class S.J. Nicholson, USN
- Rebecca R. Keene, WAC
- Seaman First Class George McKissick, USN
- Unknown author, Army Administration School, University of Mississippi
In April 1944, Rebecca Keene thanked Mildred for cookies that were unable to reach their destination, so the HQ Company, Army
Service Forces, First Service Command, WAC detachment ate them.
S2/C McKissick wrote from San Diego in June 1944 and in November aboard the USS Logan.
In March 1945, Mary Priebe wrote on an Easter card from England. McKissick sent an Easter poem from the South Pacific aboard
the Logan.
In May 1945, McKissick explains that he had been through Honolulu, the Marshall Islands, Guam and was in the battles of Okinawa
and Iwo Jima, the latter which he was given a commendation for actions as part of the beach party from February 20-24. He
transcribes the entire wording of his commendation from the captain of the ship, and again in the next letter in June. He
then had liberty, but could not say where. In September he was promoted to seaman first class and changed to "R" Division
aboard the same ship. He had been back to San Francisco and was heading out to Osaka, stopping in Honolulu to pick up the
98th Infantry Division and Philippines for the 391 Regiment, a stop at Saipan, then to Wakayama near Osaka, Japan. He mentions
the smell and the poor Japanese as he wrote in October, pulling into Samar, Philippines.
In October, MSgt. Priebe wrote from Manila, Philippines with HQ Base X, Command Section. Censorship had ended so he told Mildred
that he had been to Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea and then the Philippines; Tacloban on Leyte, Bagakai Island, Catbalogan, then
Manila after his first ever plane flight, working in the office of the commanding general.
By November, McKissick was back at sea and in December says he is not sure if he will be making it home for Christmas, briefly
explaining the ritual of changing from "polliwog" to "shellback" when he crossed the equator.
Authors listed above and not mentioned contained only empty envelopes.