Finding Aid for the Joseph F. Dever correspondence 2016.098.w.r
Lauren Menges
Center for American War Letters Archives
9/22/2016
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Joseph F. Dever Second World War correspondence
Creator:
Dever, Joseph F.
source:
Brooker, Donald F.
Identifier/Call Number: 2016.098.w.r
Physical Description:
.25 Linear feet
(3 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1944 February - 1945 November 27
Abstract: This collections contains the correspondence and photographs of Pvt. Joseph F. Dever, USA during the Second World War.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWII 13
Container: 5-7
Container: 1-3
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Donald F. Brooker.
This collection is arranged by material type and date.
- Series 1: Correspondence from Joseph Dever
- Series 2: Photographs
Private Joseph Francis Dever, United States Army grew up in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and joined the Army in February 1944 at
the age of 19. He was part of the 33rd Armored Regiment, a combat unit of the 3rd Armored Division, also known as the "Spearhead
Division." He trained at Fort Knox until serving overseas beginning in September, 1944. While in the service, he wrote letters
home to his father, Joseph Francis Dever, Sr., his mother Mabelle, and his sister Kathryn. A record from Boston College shows
he was awarded a degree on June 14, 1950 in Business Administration. He graduated magna cum laude.
[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Joseph F. Dever Second World War correspondence (2016.098.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 the correspondence and photographs of Pvt. Joseph F. Dever, USA during the Second World War. Pvt
Dever wrote to his father, mother and sister Kathryn initially from Fort Knox, Kentucky while he was doing basic training
and later from France, Germany, and Belgium. The photographs were taken in Europe during the war.
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)
Photographs
World War (1939-1945) -- Germany
World War (1939-1945) -- Belgium
Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945
World War (1939-1945) -- France
United States -- Department of Veterans Affairs
Basic training (Military education)
Brooker, Donald F.
box WWII 13, folder 5-6, folder 1-2
Series 1, Correspondence 1944 February - 1945 November 27
This series contains 60 corresondence written by Pvt. Joseph F. Dever, USA to his father, mother, and sister Kathyrn during
the Second World War.
His earlier letters are written from Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he received his basic training in the medium tank division.
His later letters are written from overseas. He served in France, Germany, and Belgium. He describes himself as a "first class
housemaid" completing chores of bed-making, dish-washing, and floor-scrubbing. He was very fond of Life Savers and hot cocoa,
as he makes repeated requests throughout his letters to his family to send him these items. He also indicates several times
he is sending home foreign currency to his sister, who is collecting it. He shows interest and concern for his future in several
letters in the spring of 1945 where he indicates a desire to attend Boston College.
Letters of note include the letter dated April 1, 1944, where he describes his eagerness to see action: "We have just started
on our .30 caliber Browning machine gun 1919 model, the fastest, most accurate, and light machine gun in the war. I wouldn't
mind being behind one of these babies in combat pouring lead into the bellies of the Japs or Germans."
Letter dated March 9, 1945, concerns about benefits for veterans: "I'm rather concerned about this goverment sponsored education
for verterans after this war. I'd like very much to be able to enter Boston College and receive full benefits from the plan
and like also to be able to make a stab at getting a well-rounded education. It has occurred to me that it would be nice for
me to know a language, higher mathematics like algebra or geometry, and the English language better."
March 12, 1945: "At the same time I am mailing this letter, I'm also mailing one to the dean of Boston College. Briefly I
said that I desired to enter their institution; that I would work hard to be a credit to any college kind enough to offer
me its learning; gave them a brief outline of my education; and asked them to file the letter that I would come for an interview
after the war."
Memo dated May 29, 1945 from Lieutanant General J. Lawton Collins by command of Brigadier General [Truman Everett] Boudinot.
The letter provides the 3rd Armored Division with an update on the status of the war and their efforts.