Bolner, Merrill H. (Second World War correspondence collection), 1942 May 24 - 1982 March 26, bulk 1942 May 24 - 1945 November 30

Summary

Title:

Merrill H. Bolner Second World War correspondence collection

Dates:

1942 May 24 - 1982 March 26, bulk 1942 May 24 - 1945 November 30

Creators:

Bolner, Michael, Bolner, Merrill Howard, Sergeant, b. 1924, Bolner, Thomas Edward, Agent, 1924-2005, Bolner, Donald Eugene, 1925-1995, Bolner, Merrill LeRoy, 1904-1993, Bolner, Merval Louise, b. 1935, and Bolner, Gladys C., 1905-1989

Abstract:

This collection contains correspondence to and from the "Bolner Boys": Sgt. Merrill H. Bolner, USAAC; Agent Thomas E. Bolner, USACIS; and LtCol. Donald E. Bolner, USAAC written during the Second World War.

Containers:

document-box: 167
folder: 1 - 5
document-box: 168
folder: 6 - 8
document-box: 169
document-box: 9 - 12
document-box: 170
folder: 13 - 17
document-box: 171
folder: 18 - 22

Extent:

2.5 Linear Feet (22 folders)

Language:

English .

Preferred citation:

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Merrill H. Bolner Second World War collection (2021.195.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 approximately 700 correspondence written to and from the "Bolner Boys", Sgt. Merrill H., Agent Thomas E., and Lt Col. Donald E. Bolner during the Second World War. Major contributors to this collection include the Bolner parents, Merrill L. and Gladys C. Bolner who wrote to the Bolner brothers throughout the Second World War.

Merrill L. Bolner consistently attached newspaper clippings throughout his correspondence and discuessed current US events, military activities in Europe and the Pacific, and home life wit the Bolner brothers. He occassionally expressed critical opinions of the US military and US politics.

Merrill H. Bolner, the eldest Bolner brother, often wrote his parents and friends in very vague or sanitized language. He seldom wrote explicitly about his military activities. Thomas E. Bolner, in a letterr written September 25, 1945 to his older brother offered words of comfort regarding Merrill H. Bolner's activities in the Philipines. This may indicate that Merrill H. Bolner's content varied greatly depending on who he was writing for unknown reasons.

Thomas E. Bolner, the middle Bolner brother, shared similar sentiments and beliefs as their father, Merrill L. Bolner. Towards the end of his service time, he also expressed critical views of the USA Military Police and the Criminal Investigation Section.

Donald E. Bolner, the youngest Bolner brother, wrote more consistently about his military activities when compated to his eldest brother, Merrill H. Bolner. However, he is not as well represented in this collection because approximately 30 letters are present in this collection.

Other authors include US service members and civilians who wrote predominantly to Sgt. Bolner.

This collection also contains over 40 newspaper clippings, 4 photographs, and over 20 postcards or celebratory cards.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Michael Bolner.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by author, and chronology.

• Series 1, Merrill H. Bolner correspondence
• Series 2, Thomas E. Bolner correspondence
• Series 3, Donald E. Bolner correspondence
• Series 4, Mr. Merrill L. and Mrs. Gladys C. Bolner correspondence
• Series 5, correspondence from various authors

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related resources

Other descriptive data:

This collection may contain materials that are difficult to view, are potentially harmful, or use outdated and culturally insensitive language. Chapman University preserves and makes these materials accessible to researchers to ensure long-term accuracy of these historical records. This repository aims to not promote or otherwise celebrate this content, but to use it for educational and research purposes.

Please see the National Archives and Records Administration's (NARA) "Statement on Potentially Harmful Content" for more information: https://www.archives.gov/research/reparative-description/harmful-content

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945
World War (1939-1945)
World War (1939-1945) -- Pacific Area
World War (1939-1945) -- Europe
World War (1939-1945) -- Hawaii
Armed Forces -- Military police
United States. -- Army. -- Air Corps

Names:

Bolner, Michael

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:

Frank J. López-Huerta

Date Encoded:

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-08-03 14:26:51 -0400 .

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"], Merrill H. Bolner Second World War collection (2021.195.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.

Location of this collection:

Chapman University, Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Center for American War Letters Archives

One University Drive

Orange, CA 92866, US

Contact:

(714) 532-7716

privette@chapman.edu

Website