Finding Aid for the Willard T. Siebenaller Second World War correspondence 2017.716.w.rd

Sharon Clairemont
Center for American War Letters Archives
1/2/ 2018
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu


Contributing Institution: Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Willard T. Siebenaller Second World War correspondence
Creator: Willard Siebenaller
Identifier/Call Number: 2017.716.w.rd
Physical Description: .08 Linear feet (3 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1945 April 4 - August 21
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence from Y 1/C Willard Thomas Siebenaller, USN to his wife Ruth Siebenaller during the Second World War.
Language of Material: English .
Container: WWII 19
Container: 12-14
Container: 1-3

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of The Siebenaller Children Sharon, Jeffrey and Lisa.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type and date.
  • Series 1, Correspondence from Willard to Ruth
  • Series 2, Photographs
  • Series 3, Ephemera

Biographical / Historical

Bio info on Willard Thomas Siebenaller: http://trumbullmemory.org/items/show/1310 and https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147145335/willard-t.-siebenaller

Preferred Citation

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Willard T. Siebenaller Second World War correspondence (2017.716.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Content Description

This collection is available online in Chapman University's Digital Commons: https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/wtsiebenaller_correspondence/
This collection contains correspondence from Yeoman First Class Willard Thomas "Woody" Siebenaller, United States Navy to his wife Ruth Siebenaller during the Second World War. Also included are three photographs, one newspaper clipping and a program from a musical performance. Siebenaller trained at Camp Shoemaker in California and served in the Philippines.

Conditions Governing Use

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. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

World War (1939-1945)
Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945
World War (1939-1945) -- Philippines.

box WWII 19, folder 12, folder 1

Series 1, Correspondence from Willard to Ruth 1945 April 4 - August 12

Physical Description: .04 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

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.
box WWII 19, folder 13, folder 2

Series 2, Photographs 1945-1946

Physical Description: .02 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

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.
box WWII 19, folder 14, folder 3

Series 3, Ephemera 1945 August 21

Physical Description: .02 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

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.