Dwight Fee First World War correspondence, 1918 May 10 - 1990 June 10, bulk 1918 May 10 - 1919 December 23

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Summary

Creators:
Fee, George
Abstract:
This collection contains correspondence between Sgt. Dwight Fee, AEF and his wife Lucille Fee during the First World War.
Extent:
0.42 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Dwight Fee First World War correspondence (2014.049.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.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains correspondence between Sergeant Dwight Fee, American Expeditionary Force and his wife Lucille Fee during the First World War. They were written during his service in France in 1918. Other recipients include Fee's parents and a few family friends. The bulk of these letters are from Lucille Fee discussing her experiences on the home front, job searching and their immediate family.

Fee's letters deal with his time in France, while serving with the 80th Division, National Army, American Expeditionary Force. This division took part in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest battle in United States military history, involving 1.2 million American soldiers. The Meuse-Argonne was the principal engagement of the American Expeditionary Forces, during the First World War.

This collection also includes a published book titled 80th Division - Summary of Operations in the World War, on the 80th division's time in combat and a remembrance book titled The Bayonet Remembrance Book of Camp Lee, Virginia where Fee attended his Army training.

Of interest is a self-published book and collection of biographical notes on the Fee family, written by son William Fee. This book entitled Character(s), gives a detailed history of Dwight and Lucille Fee, their early life and family life, until approximately 1973.

Also, included in this collection is a small, cotton, textile bag that was used to store Fee's wartime letters.

Added 2017; conservation treatment documentation.

Biographical / historical:

Sergeant Dwight Humphrey Fee, American Expeditionary Force (9/4/1892 - 1/10/1966) was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania to William Huston and Julia May (Humphrey) Fee. He married Naomi Lucille Brockman on July 15, 1916 (Lucille Fee).

He began his service on September 5, 1917 in Crafton, PA, becoming a non-commissioned officer on October 17, and fought overseas from May 17, 1918 to November 5, 1918 including the Battle of the Argonne.

Dwight and Lucille had seven children, including Private First Class William W. "Bill" Fee, United States Army (2014.050.w.r). Dwight passed away on January 10, 1966 in Danville, PA and buried in his hometown.

Acquisition information:
Gift of the Fee family.
Arrangement:

The Dwight Fee World War One correspondence collection is arranged by author, in chronological order.

  • Series 1, Correspondence to Dwight Fee
  • Series 2, Correspondence from Dwight Fee
  • Series 3, Correspondence photocopies with notes
  • Series 4, Miscellaneous correspondence, documents, clippings and photos
  • Series 5, Publications
  • Series 6, Coservation treatment documentation (2017)

Physical description:
Some letters are in fragile condition and torn. Pencil markings can be seen on some of the letters.
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 / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Dwight Fee First World War correspondence (2014.049.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.

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