Contributing Institution: Sacramento Public Library

Title: Guide to the Captain James W. Hickey Letters

Identifier/Call Number: MC 124

Physical Description: 1 Linear Feet

Date (inclusive): 1943-1945

Abstract: Collection is composed of items – photographs, ephemera, V-Mail, Envelopes, photographs, keepsakes, and letters – written from Sacramentan James Hickey to his wife Dorothy Hickey during his time serving as an officer in the U.S. military in Italy during World War II.

Language of Material: English .

Captain James W. Hickey, born on June 15, 1897 and dying on August 17, 1961, was a lifelong resident of Sacramento, California. Hickey was a tax attorney for the State of California's Tax Division, where he worked his way up to head the department. When the World War II broke out in Europe, Hickey enlisted as an officer to help set up provisional a government as the Allies liberated Italy. He felt it was his duty to help those who had been affected by the war providing his assistance in the manner of establishing an effective bureaucracy to stand in place of the decentralized Fascist Italian regime. Hickey was also a devout Catholic and attended mass on a regular basis while in Italy. Hickey was no stranger to civic duty. Along with his wife Dorothy and extended family, which included the famous Didion family of Sacramento, the Hickeys were active in local religious and fraternal organizations.

[Identification of item], James W. Hickey Letters, MC 124, Sacramento Room, Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento, California.

The collection is comprised of ten groupings: l. V-Mail 1943; ll. V-Mail 1944; lll. V-Mail 1945; lV hand written letters 1943; V. Hand written letters 1944; Vl. Hand written letters 1945; Vll. Empty envelopes; Vlll. Ephemera; IX. Photographs; and, X. Letters that have been misplaced and are not able to be successfully placed within the collection. It is important to note that the V-Mail and hand-written letters are the same. V-Mail refers to compressed letters that are photocopied onto a smaller card stock to maximize space in air transport. V-Mail was also screened by the military to ensure that sensitive information was not compromised. Hickey wrote these letters on a daily basis to his wife and the groupings are consistent with this method of communication. There are, however, gaps that extend from weeks to months where Hickey apologizes to his wife for the delay but could not elaborate due to the sensitivity of his work and military intelligence. The condition of these notes are in good condition and have no signs of mistreatment or insect/water damage.

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