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Gibson, Dayle E. (Second World War correspondence)
2018.167.w.r
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Dayle E. Gibson Second World War correspondence
source:
Gibson, Hattie M.
Creator:
Gibson, Dayle Edward, Private, 1925-2000
Creator:
Mayers, Luther
Identifier/Call Number: 2018.167.w.r
Physical Description:
.08 Linear feet
(2 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1943 July 25 - 1945 October 26
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence to and from Pvt. Dayle E. Gibson, USA during the Second World War. The letters written
by Gibson were sent to Hattie M. Newman. The letters sent to Gibson were written by his friend, Luther Mayers.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWII 149
Container: 4-5
Container: 1-2
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Hattie M. Gibson.
This collection is arranged chronologically, separated by author.
- Series 1, Correspondence from Dayle to Hattie
- Series 2, Correspondence from Luther to Dayle
Private Dayle Edward Gibson, United States Army (3/12/1925 - 1/5/2000) was born in Zanesville, Ohio and attended Grover Cleveland
Middle/High School. He met Hattie M. Newman in the summer of 1942 when she was on vacation in Ohio with her uncle. She lived
in Philippi, West Virginia. They maintained correspondence from the time they met and continued after Dayle was drafted into
the Army, developing into a serious relationship. According to Hattie, it was expected of young women to write soldiers and
she corresponded with several soldiers who were overseas during the war. Dayle was a musician and could play a variety of
instruments, including a guitar while serving, according to Hattie.
Pvt. Gibson also received letters from his friend, Luther Myers whom he had known since childhood. Their families were friends
and their mothers were very close. The two of them even worked at the Zanes Hotel together for six months. Hattie recalled
that Luther was a "funny guy" and that he "always had a plan but rarely followed through. He wasn't a trouble maker but...he
was a big talker." (source: donor)
During the war Pvt. Gibson served with B Battery, 277th at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin and Camp Funston in Fort Riley, Kansasas
and later transferred to B Battery 269th Field Artillery Battalion, 89th Division, 9th Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
He served overseas as a .50 caliber machine gunner with this unit until after the war in Europe when he moved to C Battery
and later to 340th F.A. Bn., also with the 89th Div. as he was stationed at Camp 20 Grand in Duclair, one of several "Cigarette
Camps" near Le Havre used to cycle soldiers out of the continent.
After the war Dayle and Hattie married, had children and moved to Philo, Ohio. Dayle E. Gibson passed away in 2000.
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Dayle E. Gibson Second World War correspondence (2018.167.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.
This collection contains thirteen correspondence to and from Pvt. Dayle E. Gibson, USA during the Second World War. The six
letters written by Gibson were sent to Hattie M. Newman. The seven letters sent to Gibson were written by his friend, Luther
Myers.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War (1939-1945) -- France
Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945
World War (1939-1945) -- Equipment and supplies
Atomic bomb -- United States -- History
United States -- Race Relations
Gibson, Hattie M.