September 1944 - 16 April 1945

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

Header Record

Title: [World War II letters of James A. Coddaire] [Decimalized .01-.19]

19 v-mail letters form James A. Coddaire to his wife Olive Coddaire at home in Massachusetts.

GLC09614

September 1944

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

James Coddaire writes to Olive Coddaire, his wife, that he just recived a letter from her dated the 30th of July, and complains about how long it took to arrive. He mentions that a signal skyrocket was sent over them the other day and casued the boys to all run into hiding. He also tells her not to worry if there are times when she doesn't get frequent mail as it just means he's busy.

GLC09614.01

13 September 1944

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes to his wife that he just got two letters that she wrote to him, and thanks her for getting him razors as they had no PX on the base. Coddaire also discusses the destruction of some of the towns they have passed through. He also mentions the food, he was getting tired of canned meat. He also mentions that there are so many trucks and supplies being shipped around that he understands the rationing and gasoline shortages at home. He finishes by reassuring his wife that the English girls have nothing on her, and he "reached the conclusion that the British are great... from a…

GLC09614.02

23 September 1944

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes Olive that he just got his very own pen, as well as seven letters in the mail today, one from Rose and the rest from her. He also mentions giving Ed her address as he lost it. He asks Olive to send him the New Yorker if she can get "Old Man Cooper" to save it for her. He also tells her not to send cigarettes as he gets some in his rations every five days, and to tell his sisters this as well. He ends by saying not to worry about him not having things as he "don't want for a thing with the exception of seeing you. I hope that day comes soon."

GLC09614.03

28 September 1944

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes to Olive that he recieved two letters one from her and one from Gloria. He's glad Dick was able to fix the machine and she was able to put on her show. He also mentions that he used his Schick with a battery from the radio and it worked fine. Coddaire also wished he had a camera and film as he would be able to get some strange pictures, mentioning a farmer taking the hide off a pig with hot water. He praises the livestock there, and mentions that he had dinner with a French family last night. He said Kelly did all the talking, but that he said a few things in French to "prove…

GLC09614.04

3 October 1944

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire wrote a short note wishing Olive a happy anniversary. "Happy Anniversary to you on our fifth. Love and kisses, Jimmy."

GLC09614.05

9 October 1944

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes Olive that he had a haircut this morning, it was a mess as he had 5 guys working on it and nobody knew what they were doing. He says it's fine though as he has no plans on going on any dates with girls until he gets back to the states. He also metions that the weather is better, and as a result morale has gone up. He says that he had a second breakfast at another company as the first wasn't filling and swears that the other group has better cooks. In closing he asks Olive to send him some ink for the V-Mails.

GLC09614.06

24 October 1944

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes about his adventures in Nantes where he went on a pass. He mentions talking to an elderly man who had been to England before the war and spoke good English, and also talked to a young women who was learning English in school and wanted to practice. He also mentions a GI selling a deck of cards for a hundred Francs which was about two dollars. He mentions watching a movie in a barn, and that there was film developing in a shed that came out okay, so he will see about sending her a picture of himself.

GLC09614.07

5 November 1944

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddiare complains about getting his first piece of mail in the last 10 days. He says "Our Platoon Sergeant Nominated and Elected me in one Swoop, To Handle the Serving of Chow" He then descibes the process of serving dinner, which was cooked in a main kitchen, then put in a thermos and brought via Jeep to the platoons. He mentions that since it is Sunday, Sundays in the army means chicken and that, "I can expect a headache for supper, for our chicken always seem to have more necks and meatless breasts then any poultry you ever heard of." Coddaire then goes on to say he does most of his…

GLC09614.08

3 December 1944

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire mentions that a bunch of men got silver stars and hearts, but the majority of the day he "stooged around." He says he got a new roasary from the chaplian as his was falling apart, and asked Olive to send him some V-Mail ink, and a can of lighter fluid. He also request plum pudding, and complains about the company's cooks as the company next door had cake and pie all week. After bugging the cooks they made a cake and it was "dry, lifeless, no frosting and black on the bottom."

GLC09614.09

10 December 1944

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Corddaire writes that he intends to go to mass, however it's two miles away. He also talks about Perguson coming over for mid day coffee and bringing a box from California with dried fruit and a cake to share. He mentions writing to his dad, and making out a Christmas card to Olive's parents, as the Army gave everyone two to send. He asks if Olive has started Christmas shopping yet, as he knows she is a last minute person running around on Christmas eve.

GLC09614.10

7 March 1945

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes that they will have to send V-Mails more often as the radio announced that the use of air mail stamps will not guarantee delivery by air mail. He also thanks Olive foe the socks, gloves, and big squares. He mentions getting a hors d’oeuvres set from Delmar. He sent a air mail letter last night but as Olive will most likly get the V-Mail first he notes that his address has changed as he is now in Headquarters Company.

GLC09614.11

9 March 1945

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes that it was a field day with the mail and that he got three air mails, two V-Mails, and one letter. The letter was from his father and dated in October, but everything else was from February. He also got a box from Mrs. Salter with fruit cake, candy, gum, soap and jelly. He mentions that he plans to send home some postcards as souvenirs.

GLC09614.12

12 March 1945

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes that he got four packages, and two V-Mails with mail this morning. Two boxes were from Olive, one from Gloria, and one from Gladys. The "loot" was plum pudding, rum sauce, cookies, candy, a jar of cheese, tuna, chocolate bars, loose chocolate, a cartoon book, Esquire, writing paper, envelopes and pencils. He also mentions that one of the letters was from her dated March 1st, writing thats "what I call service." He also mentions that soon he will have leave and will go to England possibly Rockdale to visit some friends.

GLC09614.13

15 March 1945

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes that he had a bunch of mail, four V-Mails, and two letters. One letter from Bill Elder, and one from Isobel and Jack which was dated March 9th. The V-Mails were from her and were from the 2-5th of March. He mentions that the name of a town was censored in his letter even though he was told "we could mention any town within twenty-five miles." He mentions that Bill Elder sent him a cut out of the "Transcript" with a picture of Carl and an article about him being wounded and recieving the heart. He was also sent a "house-organ from St. Francis Church with updates of parisioners…

GLC09614.14

31 March 1945

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes another letter from England mentioning his continued journeys. He mentioned meeting up with a roomate's old school chum, and being bored from their talk. He also says he got a V-Mail from Olive and that he regrets not being home for Easter. He is sorry to hear about Pa's rupture, and says that he hopes he takes care of himself. Coddaire also writes about booby trapping a fellow soldiers bed, as the guy kept talking about booby traps. He finishes the letter by mentioning that he was going to look into taking hospitality rations when he goes to visit his friends up North.

GLC09614.16

8 April 1945

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes from England, he just recieved Olive's letters from the 9th and 10th of October, and says he is sorry for not telling her something sooner, and that he wasn't aware of how worried it made her. He mentions the food and how everywhere by him is upper crust and small portions. He finishes by saying that he plans for their next anniversary to be spent together.

GLC09614.17

10 April 1945

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes that he received a V-Mail from Olive, and two Christmas boxes with candy and fruitcake inside. He mentions their friend Isobel going to Florida saying that it isn't the season for it. Coddaire also mentions that one of the theaters had horrible accoustics, so him and another man put blankets up lining the walls to imporove them. He also writes that he is going to see a play, St, Joan, in town and that it will be good to see a live performance again.

GLC09614.18

16 April 1945

Coddaire, James A., 1907-1997

V-Mail

Title: to Olive Coddiare

Coddaire writes that he sent Olive a package with a few books he thinks she will get a kick out of. He also says he recieved a box from her, with olives, bullion cubes, crackers and a can of tomato juice. He request that Olive send him some sunglasses as he can't find any he likes. Coddaire mentions that all the mail must have caught up to him as he hasn't gotten that much lately, and that it might be some time before he can send anything to her as he is about to go on furlough. He mentions that he is sorry that her cherry tree isn't doing well but writes, "Anyway it might have been a…

GLC09614.19

1968

Hughes, Jim, fl. 1968

Header Record

Title: [Collection belonging to Jim Hughes, 82nd Airborne, 1968 [Decimalized .01-.05]

Collection of letters belonging to Jim Hughes dated 1968. Consists of five letters during Hughes time in the 82nd Airborne. Letters are written to his mother, Wilma Primer Hughes and pertains to life on the base, activities, financial matters and updates on friends.

GLC09615

1 March 1968

Hughes, Jim, fl. 1968

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wilma Hughes Primer

One letter addressed to Wilma Hughes Primer from Jim Hughes dated March 1, 1968. Hughes informs his mother of his time remaining in the war, requesting pocket calendars to mark down the remaining days. Mentions getting his "rank right back" as his squad leader has recommended him for the PFC or E-3. With regard to military activity, he relays that training has been occupying his time yet "everything is still confused being this a new outfit and all" and that the state of the supply system is affecting operations. As in Hughes' other letters to his mother, he comments on his finances in…

GLC09615.01

12 March 1968

Hughes, Jim, fl. 1968

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wilma Hughes Primer

One letter addressed to Wilma Hughes Primer from Jim Hughes dated March 12, 1968. Notifies his mother that has he received his birthday card from her and asks her if she has received his paycheck yet. He mentions that he has written to his Uncle B.J. as well as Mr. Coughlin, his former baseball coach. Hughes has a term of nine to ten months left before ending military duty and contemplates options of enrolling in college or obtaining a security guard position after leaving the service. He remarks that not much but guard duty has been occupying his enlisted time as of recent and closes by…

GLC09615.02

20 March 1968

Hughes, Jim, fl. 1968

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wilma Hughes Primer

One letter addressed to Wilma Hughes Primer from Jim Hughes dated March 20, 1968. Hughes states that his unit may be going to a main highway on March 21 to fulfill guard duty. He requests playing cards specifying that they should be plastic to resist the humidity and $40 from his paycheck. He mentions Carolyn and Dick and "the Dude" whom he suggests should consult with Air Force or Navy recruiters because in Hughes' opinion enlisting in these divisions won't require him to go to Vietnam.

GLC09615.03

9 April 1968

Hughes, Jim, fl. 1968

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wilma Hughes Primer

One letter addressed to Wilma Primer Hughes from Jim Hughes dated April 9, 1968. Requests plastic playing cards that he has requested from his mother. He mentions that the money she recently sent him has already been "won back" and that by being paid again he is "ahead of the game." He expresses concern for Pat, mentions Margaret, Carolyn and Carrie Jean, and states that the weather has been hot.

GLC09615.04

15 April 1968

Hughes, Jim, fl. 1968

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Wilma Hughes Primer

One letter addressed to Wilma Primer Hughes from Jim Hughes dated April 15, 1968. Wishes her a Happy Easter and complains of the lack of Catholic chaplains and the inability to go to church. He mentions a number of friends and family noting that men are "getting drafted left and right" while some are going home. He expresses his strong desire to leave. Hughes informs his mother that his unit will soon be moving south. In a postscript, Hughes mentions Pat as in other letters and mentions he has not yet received the playing cards he requested from his mother. As in his prior letters, he…

GLC09615.05