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Boober, Wynona L. (Second World War correspondence)
2019.106.w.r
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Wynona L. Boober Second World War correspondence
source:
Buchholz, Margaret
Creator:
Boober Aldrich, Wynona , Sergeant, 1899-1999
Identifier/Call Number: 2019.106.w.r
Physical Description:
0.01 Linear feet
(1 folder)
Date: 1944 October 3
Abstract: This collection contains one typed three page letter written by Sgt. Wynona L. Boober, WAC to Josephine during the Second
World War. Also included is one obituary of Wynona Boober Aldrich.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWII 153
Container: 7
Container: 1
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Margaret Buchholz.
Sergeant Wynona L. Boober Aldrich, Women's Auxiliary Corps (11/1899 - 2/23/2000) was born in Mattamiscontis, Maine. According
to the included obituary, Sgt. Boober joined the WAACs at 43 years old in 1942 and served in Algeria where she met General
Dwight D. Eisenhower and General George S. Patton, and later worked with the 6667th WAC Headquarters Company (Ovhd) out of
Caserta Palace north of Naples, Italy.
After the war she worked at Bongor Hydro-Electric Company and married Elverson ALdrich in 1952. Together they had a son, Paul.
She passed away in February 2000 at the age of 100.
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Wynona L. Boober Second World War correspondence (2019.106.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 one typed three page letter written by Sgt. Wynona L. Boober, WAC to Josephine during the Second
World War. The letter is a personal narrative that was written for her family and this copy was sent to Josephine to "get
caught up." Also included is one obituary of Wynona Boober Aldrich.
The letter describes Sgt. Boober's experience in an "unsettled state" due to rumors of the war's end and what they will do
until that time, while telling her family and Josephine that she "would much rather be here than a WAC back in the States
and want to stay as long as I can." She discusses the weather and living conditions in Italy, as well as the uniforms and
new WAC dresses, "tropical worsteds, complete with the new summer 'off duty dresses' and new hats, and do they ever look sharp!"
The third paragraph describes her picnic spot with three friends, and how it was overrun by Italian children searching for
handouts. "After you give them anything and tell them to 'go,' they just say 'no cabish' and won't budge an inch...The candy
or gum serves only to keep them still for a time." She continues, "When you finally realize there is no hope of getting rid
of the little things, you give up and let them entertain you. They love to sing, and at every lull start up 'Pistol Packin
Mama'. They all know the American words to this and it's fun to hear them."
The rest of the letter contains descriptions of her local Italian cafe and the tourist attractions she has visited, including
Sorrento, Cassino, Naples, and Rome. In Rome she mentions the Palace of Justice, Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, the Colosseum,
the old Forum, the Tiber River, the bridge of Horatius, the Andeatine Cave, the Catacombs, St. Peter's Basilica and the Papal
Palace where she attended a visitation and blessing by Pope Pius XII and kissed his hand (comically stating that she was supposed
to kiss his ring, to which he asked, "American?").
Throughout this portion, she describes the people and destruction caused by the war. "On the way though we passed through
so many ruins and such devastation it made one heart sick - poor, dejected looking people picking away on the heaps of rubble
that I suppose were the places where they had lived. It all looked so hopeless." At two points she also mentions Benito Mussolini,
just in reference to a farming policy and his old offices where the Opera is located.
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)
World War (1939-1945) -- Women
World War (1939-1945) -- Italy
Colosseum (Rome, Italy)
Battle of Cassino (Cassino, Italy : 1944)
Women and the military
Women and war
United States -- Army -- Women's Army Corps
Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945
World War (1939-1945) -- Personal Narratives
United States -- Army -- Women's Army Auxiliary Corps
Buchholz, Margaret