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World War II letters, 1942-1945.
MANUSCRIPT Boxes 2273-2274
Collection Overview

Title:

World War II letters, 1942-1945
Walter J. Masters World War II letters, 1942-1945

Creator/Contributor:

Masters, Walter J., 1910-1975, creator

Abstract:

This collection comprises 391 holograph letters, four photographs and 10 photograph negatives sent to Masters' wife, Rebecca Morris Masters in Long Beach, California. Letters from 1942, beginning May 2nd, and throughout 1943 were written while attending Basic Training, Officer Candidates' School, and as he served as a platoon leader in Loisiana. Letters from 1944 and 1945 were sent from Hawaii, New Guinea and the Philippines, ending on Dec. 8th, 1945. Some letters on stationery with insignia. A few letters were censored and scissored. Ephemera includes official Army documents, civilian ration cards, entertainment programs.
There is also a small group of incoming letters addressed to Masters and his wife. Included are letters from Cecil Bull (friend), Claude W. "Slip" Chamberlain (friend), Will French (Mrs. Masters' boss) and a few others.
This correspondence documents a devoted marriage during World War II.Also of interest are in-depth details concerning Basic Training, Officers Candidates' School, jungle training, native customs and ceremonials in New Guinea, and daily life of the Philippine people.

Date:

1942 (issued)

Contents:

Box 2273: Masters letters, 1942-1943. -- Box 2274: Masters letters, 1944-1945; other correspondence.

Subject:

n-us--- -- n-us-ca -- p------
Masters, Walter J -- 1910-1975 -- Correspondence
Soldiers -- California -- Correspondence
World War, 1939-1945 -- Pacific Area -- Personal narratives
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American
United States. -- Army -- Biography

Note:

Walter J. Masters was born October 25th, 1910 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1942, he took heavy weapons basic training at Camp Roberts, California and, in 1943, successfully completed Officer Candidates' School at Fort Benning, Georgia. On receiving his commission as 2nd Lieutenant, he was assigned to the 149th Infantry Division, Camp Livingston, Louisiana where he served as assistant platoon leader in heavy weapon, machine gun and rifle companies. He continued in this capacity throughout 1943 when the 149th was moved to Oahu. When the Division was shipped to New Guinea early in 1944, Masters trained in jungle warfare conducted by ANGAU, the Australian Administrative Unit. Later that year, he fought with Phillipine guerrillas in Leyte and in the mountains of Luzon, most significantly in the area of the Wawa Dam. He served briefly with the Judge Advocate General in Manila before returning to the United States on December 8th, 1945. He died in Los Angeles on Dec. 15th, 1975.
Walter J. Masters World War II letters, 1942-1945.
Finding aid available and a calendar accompanies each box.
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.

Type:

biography

Physical Description:

ca. 406 items : ill., ports ; 1 linear ft.

Language:

English

Identifier:

MANUSCRIPT Boxes 2273-2274

Origin:

California

Copyright Note:

Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.