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Lepera, Ernest O. (Second World War correspondence)
2018.136.w.r
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Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Ernest O. Lepera Second World War correspondence
source:
LePera, Lane
Identifier/Call Number: 2018.136.w.r
Physical Description:
0.15 Linear feet
(1 folder)
Date (inclusive): 1945 July 22 - 1945 August 23
Abstract: This collection contains thank you correspondence to Capt. Ernest O. Lepera, USA, and the Catholic Welfare Organization from
victims of the Japanese Army in Manila, Philippines during the Second World War.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWII 5
Container: 11
Container: 1
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Lane LePera.
This collection is arranged in chronological order.
Captain Ernest Orlando Lepera, United States Army worked with the Catholic Welfare Organization (CWO) in the Philippines during
the Second World War. Toward the latter part of the Second World War, the Philippines, particularly Manila, experienced some
of the most destructive land battles of the war, creating a crisis state for the inhabitants of the islands. The services
of the CWO were presented to General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander, Allied Powers to work in relief efforts.
After years of occupation and civilian concentration camps held by the Japanese, the Allies invaded the Philippines and, during
the Battle of Manila, February to March, 1945, the Japanese committed atrocities against the civilian population resulting
in an estimated one hundred thousand civilian casualties. Most notably mentioned in this collection is the fire that the Japanese
set that consumed most of Manila, along with people and property. With the Japanese defeated in the islands, the CWO took
up their relief effort and provided food, clothing and medicine to those who lost everything in the fire or to Japanese looting.
Capt. Lepera went on to earn the rank of Major and was familiar with Gen. MacArthur, though it is not known if that was before
or after his work in the Philippines. Capt. Lepera was on the USS Missouri during the signing of the surrender of Japanese
forces, and also participated in the Japanese war crimes trials. This information is per the donor, Lane LePera, who is the
son of Capt. Lepera. More materials pertaining to these later events are expected to be donated to the Army museum in Virginia.
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Ernest O. Lepera Second World War correspondence (2018.136.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 thirty-eight correspondence to Captain Ernest O. Lepera, U.S. Army, from various authors whom he
aided while working with the Catholic Welfare Organization during the Second World War. The letters are thank you notes for
his relief work in providing food and clothing to those effected by the Japanese occupation and the Manila Massacre in February
1945.
Most of the thanks is specifically for clothing, though medicine is also mentioned. The bulk of the letters are directed
to Father Anthony V. Keane, S.J. (Jesuit) to give to Capt. Lepera from people from Singalong and Ateneo, Manila, Philippines.
One letter even calls Capt. Lepera a "modern Santa Claus."
Of special note is the letter dated August 19, 1945 for its verbage and eloquence.
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) -- Philippines.
Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945
United States. -- Army.
Christianity
War crime trials -- Philippines -- Manila
Lepera, Ernest O. , Major
LePera, Lane