Joseph DeHaan Korean War correspondence, 1950 April - 1951 June

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Summary

Creators:
Grover, Dorothy M.
Abstract:
This collection contains correspondence between PFC Joseph DeHaan, USA, and Dorothy Page during the Korean War as well as photographs and other documents.
Extent:
0.5 Linear Feet (1 document box)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item title], Joseph DeHaan Korean War correspondence (2015.084.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 URL's, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains correspondence between PFC Joseph DeHaan, USA and Dorothy Page during the Korean War. A majority of the collection was written by PFC Joseph DeHaan. Inventory:

138 correspondence, personal

7 photographs

1 program, memorial service

1 statement of death

2 correspondence, photocopy, postwar

2 biographical/historical documents

15 newspaper clippings

3 newspaper clippings, photocopy

Biographical / historical:

Corporal Joseph "Joe" DeHaan, United States Army (12-6-1930 - 2/19/1952) was born in Chinook, Montana to John and Gertrude DeHaan. They moved to Red Lake Falls in 1934 and lived on a farm until he graduated from Northwest Agricultural School in Crookston and enlisted in the US Army in 1950.

DeHaan served with Company D, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, 75MM Recoilless Rifle Platoon during the Korean War. He was captured by the enemy on May 18, 1951 while fighting Chinese troops on Hill 1051. After falling ill, he died as a prisoner of war in a make-shift hospital in Chong Song from intestinal tuberculosis on February 19, 1952. His mother, listed as emergency addressee, was listed as notified of his death on October 26, 1953; however a Western Union telegram sent to Dorothy Page dated August 16, 1953 informs her that Mrs. DeHaan had already been notified of his killed in action status.

DeHaan was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. It appears, according to his death certificate, DeHaan was posthumously promoted to corporal.

In the letter dated April 22, 1951, Joseph De Haan mentions that he received the news of his father's death.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Dorothy M. Grover.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by material type and date:

  • Series 1, Correspondence to Dorothy Page
  • Series 2, Correspondence from Dorothy Page
  • Series 3, Photographs
  • Series 4, Postwar documents
  • Series 5, Clippings

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

[Item title], Joseph DeHaan Korean War correspondence (2015.084.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 URL's, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Contact:
(714) 532-7716
privette@chapman.edu
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