Physical Description: .04 Linear Feet(1 folder)

Language of Material: English.

This series contains ten letters from Y 1/C Willard T. "Woody" Siebenaller, USN to his wife Ruth in Warren, Ohio during the Second World War. The letters were written between April 4 and August 12, 1945 and were handwritten or typed.

In the earliest correspondence, Willard writes from Camp Shoemaker in northern California where he is preparing to ship out overseas. The next letter, May 8, 1945, he writes from "somewhere in the Philippines" and describes the camp ("We live in tents.") and the weather ("I've never sweated so much in my life.") saying he'll write about crossing the Pacific later. He inquires after their baby, Sharon.

In the May 15th letter he writes of assuming his new post at Com7thFlt(Flag) where he is associated with the Flag Secretary's office, responsible for routing mail. He writes of meeting men he knows from home or from training, of rations and food, singing in the base choir and asks after family. He writes of getting two boils on his leg and treatment for them.

On May 23, he writes, "This sure is an experience over here - bitter and rugged, but it can't get me down. I'll be a stronger man for it, I'll make sure of that." He asks for a subcription to the Warren, OH newspaper, some 620 film, wash cloths, hair tonic, and some cheap rings "to sell to the natives."

The last letter is written from Manila on Aug. 11, 1945. "Everyone is excited and happy over the unofficial unconditional surrender of the Japanese." He writes he is uncertain about when he will be home as he has been overseas only four months.

Physical Description: .02 Linear Feet(1 folder)

Language of Material: English.

This series contains three photographs that although unidentified are likely of Willard "Woody" Siebenaller, Ruth Siebenaller and their first child, Sharon. Willard is pictured in his Navy uniform; the baby is approximately a few months to 1 year old. All are candid snapshots.

Physical Description: .02 Linear Feet(1 folder)

Language of Material: English.

This series contains two pieces of ephemera. One piece is an August 21, 1945 program from a concert by the Manila Symphony Orchestra hosted at the US Army Base X at the Rex Theater. The other piece is a newspaper article about Willard Siebenaller's collection of sheet music. It is undated, written by Glenn Schotten, Tribune Staff Writer.