Finding Aid for the Jack C. Woodliff Korean War correspondence 2017.582.w.r

Rob Strauss

Center for American War Letters Archives

09/22/2017

Leatherby Libraries

Chapman University

Orange, CA 92866

speccoll@chapman.edu

URL: http://www1.chapman.edu/library/archives/

Contributing Institution: Center for American War Letters Archives

Title: Jack C. Woodliff Korean War correspondence

Creator: Woodliff, Jack C. , 1931-08-22 - 2016 -06-12

source: Woodliff, Madelline

Identifier/Call Number: 2017.582.w.r

Physical Description: 0.275 Linear feet (1 box)

Date (inclusive): 1952 August 17 - 1954 August 14

Abstract: This collection contains correspondence, realia, and ephemera from Cpl. Jack C. Woodliff, USA who served as a mimeograph operator with the 10th (X) Corps in the Korean War. There are also pamphlets describing the operations and history of the X (10th) Corps.

Condition Description: 1 Pamphlet has back cover loose

Language of Material: English .

Container: Korea 2

Container: 4-9

Container: 1-6

Container: Specimen box 2

Container: 3

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Madelline Woodliff.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type, author, and date.

Series 1, Correspondence from Jack C. Woodliff
Series 2, Correspondence to Jack C. Woodliff
Series 3, Military documents
Series 4, Realia
Series 5, Ephemera

Biographical / Historical

Corporal Jack Charles Woodliff, United States Army (8/22/1931 - 6/12/2016) was born in Jackson, Michigan to Clarence R. and Helen E. Woodliff, along with an older sister, Norma Jean. In about 1937, the family moved to San Diego. Woodliff attended Sweetwater Union High School and graduated in 1950.

Woodliff served in the Adjutant General's section in operations as a mimeograph operator with the 10th (X) Corps during the Korean War from January 2, 1953 to May 1, 1954. After leaving the service, Woodliff worked at several places in the San Diego area. He eventually moved to Monrovia, California in 1961 and started working for Advanced Structures. According to the donor, Woodliff retired from the company in 1996.

Woodliff died on June 12, 2016.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Jack C. Woodliff Korean War correspondence (2017.582.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Content Description

This collection contains correspondence from Cpl. Jack C. Woodliff, USA to his parents during the Korean War. In an April 1953 letter, Woodliff wrote that the section was responsible for distribution of classified and unclassified material in the 10th Corps and its units.

This collection also includes two pamphlets describing the operations and history of X Corps as well as various ephemera and realia, including a medal.

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

Korean War, 1950-1953.

Korean War -- (1950-1953) -- Correspondence

Woodliff, Madelline

box Korea 2, folder 4-5, folder 1-2

Series 1, Correspondence from Jack C. Woodliff 1952 August 17 - 1954 May 3

Physical Description: .16 Linear Feet(2 folders)

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains 93 correspondence from Cpl. Jack C. Woodliff, USA to his parents during the Korean War. The correspondence begins while Woodliff is in basic training at Camp San Luis Obispo and extends through his time in Korea.

In the correspondence, Woodliff inquires about events at home and writes about other mundane subject matters. In a letter postmarked April 15th, 1953, Woodliff writes in general about his location (above the 38th line) and also writes briefly about his duties. In another letter on October 18, 1953, Woodliff writes about being 125 miles north of Seoul.

In the letters, Woodliff also writes about getting a divorce from his wife. One letter suggests that Woodliff learned about the divorce in a letter from his parents.

One envelope postmarked September 15, 1952 contains no correspondence.

box Korea 2, folder 6, folder 3

Series 2, Correspondence to Jack C. Woodliff 1954 August 14

Physical Description: .025 Linear Feet(1 folder)

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains one correspondence from Alvie Wiebold to Jack Woodliff. The letter suggests the two may have served in the military together.

box Korea 2, folder 7, folder 4

Series 3, Military documents

Physical Description: .04 Linear Feet(1 folder)

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains a citation given to Cpl. Jack C. Woodliff, USA for "meritorious service in Korea." There are also two pamphlets describing the operations and history of X (10th) Corps or "Big X" in Korea.

box Korea 2, folder 8, folder 5, flat-box Specimen box 2, Compartment 3

Series 4, Realia

Physical Description: .025 Linear Feet(1 folder)

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains a commendation medal and ribbon awarded to Cpl. Jack C. Woodliff, USA and Woodliff's dog tags without the chain. There are also two Korean bank notes.

box Korea 2, folder 9, folder 6

Series 5, Ephemera 1953

Physical Description: .025 Linear Feet

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains two programs: a program from a Mother's Day worship service on May 10, 1953 and a program for the "Eighth United States Army Christmas Dinner" in Korea in 1953.