24 September 1943

Purvis, Melvin Horace, 1903-1960

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rosanne Purvis

Writes a love letter to wife during World War II. Mentions receipt of her letter and his concern that the censor is holding up his correspondence. Encourages his wife not to worry about him and to be strong for the baby coming and the little boy. Expresses how much he loves and misses her and cannot wait to be together with her again. Written on two sheets of USO stationery.

GLC06273

13 August 1944

Weiner, Morris "Moe", 1909-1988

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvia Weiner

Moe was reading "How Green Was My Valley?" he also went to a U.S.O show with Jack, but said it wasn't very good. He imagined that they walked over the bridge and had a soda.

GLC09414.1171

18 July 1943

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Family [letter home from Camp Lewis]

Written at 8:10 Pacific Time, on USO stationery. Sylvia says she has found a cabin near Mt. Rainer [Washington State] and Camp Lewis [Washington State] and is staying there. They are able to save on food living there and it is much nicer than a hotel room. They are waiting for the troops to move out soon; and many wives and children have come because of that.

GLC09414.0075

29 April 1943

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Typed letter signed

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

Written at 9:30 AM at the office. Sylvia is glad he is stationed in Oregon. Boys who have returned from Southern camps do not report pleasant conditions. Says her brother Alvin has not been getting passes where he is stationed. Gives him her blessing to "mingle" with girls.(including a penciled postscript) Has a nice Director at work who is leaving to go to the USO.

GLC09414.0014

3 May 1943

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

Written at 12 Midnight at home. Sylvia says she received letters and pictures from him, as well as her allotment check. The picture makes her feel "warm and cold" because it brought her close to him yet he is not actually with her.

GLC09414.0020

21 May 1943

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

Sylvia went to a USO meeting, and to see "Counter Attack" [stage play about a Russian soldier-made into a movie in 1945] and read his letters during intermission. Tells him that FDR gave an audience to our delegates from the C/O Community Council.

GLC09414.0040

29 June 1945

Tuskegee Army Air Field (Tuskegee, Alabama)

Pamphlet

Title: Tuskegee Army Air Field Presents Roger Musical Extravaganza

A program for "Roger" a "Musical Extravaganza" performed by members of the Tuskegee Army Air Field. James T. Williams is listed as one of the co-writers and Choral Director-Production Supervisor. Page three contains a brief synopsis of the play, which concerns a group of soldiers forced to imitate celebrity USO stars when the real stars don't show up. Page seven contains a description of the Tuskegee Army Air Field. Page eight contains a picture of the TAAF Glee Club including James T. Williams.

GLC09587.238

27 December 1943

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated December 27, 1943. Leonard reports that the train into Chicago was about four hours late and he was almost AWOL (absent without leave) due to the delay. He had good luck last trip. The train was so packed that people were sitting and laying in the aisles. He was able to get a corner of the conductor's seat. He slept there until Pittsburg when seats became available. There was a sailor sleeping on the steel platform outside of the car. There was about six soldiers "in a pile" on the floor sleeping. His…

GLC09611.190.01

27 December 1943

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Postcard

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One postcard from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated December 27, 1943. Blank postcard features images of four locations with servicemen enjoying the venues. In the center of the postcard is a logo of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The top left image, which has been circled in ink, is captioned "Canteen on Pennsylvania Railroad at Crestline, Ohio." The top right image has been captioned "Outdoor refreshments at Pennsylvania Station, Lima, Ohio." The bottom left image is captioned "At Ease in USO Lounge, Pennsylvania Station, Fort Wayne, Ind." The bottom…

GLC09611.190.02

5 January 1944

Kaye, Dorothy, fl. 1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from Dorothy Kaye to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated January 5, 1944. Dorothy hopes Leonard was able to be home for Christmas. She also explains her relationship with Robert Winemiller. She always told Robert that she only sees him as a friend and is not in love with him. She went away for New Year's and was in a car filled with men from Carlisle Barracks, where she enjoyed herself. She plans to attend a U.S.O. dance and hopes it is better than the last she attended.

GLC09611.202

1939-1945

White, Frank B., 1915-1999

Header Record

Title: Frank and Jean White Collection [Decimalized .001-.286]

A collection of 276 letters, 12 greeting cards, 10 newspaper clippings, 9 photographs, 5 photograph negatives, 3 sketches, 2 menus, 1 document and 1 postcard. The letters were exchanged between World War II Marine Frank B. White, and his wife L. Jean White in Maryland. Frank served as a Marine in the Pacific Theater as part of the Fourth Marine Division. The letters start in October 1939 while Frank and Jean were dating, and Frank was working as a police officer in Baltimore. They stop in May of 1940, and pick back up in February 1943. The letters continue throughout World War II ending in…

GLC09855

22 November 1943

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated November 22, 1943. Leonard writes that he has only received two letters since he got back. He discusses the train ride to Chicago, he was the first one on the platform and he fell asleep on the way. He is still on K.P. duty (Kitchen Police) and replies to Susan's prevoious letter (GLC09611.147) that nine days is the standard time to get K.P., some people are just lucky to get it shortened. He isn't sure he's getting better food while on K.P but he is definitely getting more. He reports that if they…

GLC09611.148.01

22 November 1943

Moody, Albert D., fl. 1943

Typed note

Title: [Milwaukee County U.S.O. Open House invitation]

One invitation to the Milwaukee County U.S.O. Open House dated November 22, 1943. Takes place at All Saints Cathedral 816 East Juneau Avenue Broadway 1760. Takes place from 6-10 pm. There will be food dancing and games. Those who attend will be provided transportation back to the train.

GLC09611.148.02

26 August 1944

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated August 26, 1944. He received multiple cards and letters; two from this parents one from June, one from Mrs. Shoemaker, and one from Doris Bixler. He has been very busy, he went on liberty and picked up his pictures, and got more taken. He also went to two movies, a baseball game, and a party at the Breakers in Waikiki. The party was organized by the U.S.O. He is sorry to hear about Joe and his mother. (GLC09611.355) He also updates them on Dottie Erickson and Lillian Hogentogle. He thanks them for…

GLC09611.358

1 September 1944

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated September 1, 1944. Recaps his last liberty when he went to the dance at the U.S.O. and a movie. While at the U.S.O. he looked at the register and saw Red Simmers and a guy who lives on 15th St. in Harrisburg. He mentions receiving a letter from Edna Graeff who updated him about Herman and Uncle Charles. He also received three more birthday cards making it 14 in total. He mentions Jessie Hollis’s visit to the Hutton house. He informs them that he has not heard from Robert Winemiller and asks them to…

GLC09611.359

26 October 1944

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated October 26, 1944. He mentions that he has the day off, but did not leave the camp. He plans to go to a movie and a U.S.O. dance. He compares the weather in Hawaii with the weather in Harrisburg. He also details his dinner from Sunday. He comments on how much butter, sugar, and coffee they use for each meal. He mentioned news from the South Pacific, but that the information about the English fleet is new. He finds it interesting that men on the French front are writing as if the war is almost over, but…

GLC09611.376

31 October 1944

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated October 31, 1944. He received letters from them and Arvilla Good, who asked what he wanted for Christmas. He recommended she call Susan. He went to a U.S.O. dance and movie recently. He also received letters from Jo Gassert, Dottie Erickson and Doris Bixler. He mentioned the supplement in the newspaper, commenting that if it was just a summary not to send it. He gets pretty good news where he is. He has yet to hear from Robert Winemiller but he’s going to send him a Christmas card soon. He also…

GLC09611.377

4 November 1944

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated November 4, 1944. He mentions listening to President Roosevelt’s speech from Boston being rebroadcast. He received the clippings, cookies, peanuts and cakes Susan sent. He also received a box of Hard candy from the church. He really appreciated the comics, as he hasn’t seen any since he started Kitchen Police duty. He mentions John Shadow’s death. He also received letters from June Walter and Robert Winemiller. Robert wrote on October 14, and it took 20 days to get to Leonard. Robert mentioned…

GLC09611.379

27 November 1944

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated November 27, 1944. Had a liberty day and went to the U.S.O and a movie. He comments on Thanksgiving, he missed turkey as they had the same menu as the fourth of July. He mentions ironing his dress uniform and thinks he did a good job. He received a letter from June Walter who wrote if he came to visit her she would have to watch him around the other girls because they liked his photo so much. He mentions the Fencils, Malinda Graeff, and Seward. He also received letters from Mrs. Stouffer, Dot Runk,…

GLC09611.384

2 December 1944

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated December 2, 1944. He received letters from them, Lulu Graeff, Mary, Herman Klopp, Robert Winemiller, Dottie Erickson, Dot Shearer, and June Walter. He also received four of five boxes he was told to expect. He is keeping them in an empty locker until Christmas. He mentions that everyone is doing well, but Robert writes that he is scared at the German front. Leonard found a Thanksgiving Menu for them (GLC09611.385.02) He had a day off and went to a U.S.O. dance and two movies. He once again mentions…

GLC09611.385.01

30 December 1944

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated December 30, 1944. He went to a movie "Janie," which he thought was the funniest movie he ever saw. He updated them and listed who sent him Christmas cards. He comments on the weather in Hawaii. He also mentions hearing men that Eisenhower sent home on the radio begging to work. He mentions the dogs and cats on the base as well as a pair of ducks that are at the shop. He mentions that the ratio of men to women at the dances is four to one and they blow a whistle to make the men take turns dancing.

GLC09611.393

January 11, 1945

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated January 11, 1945. He hopes that Susan is feeling better. He inquires if they received the Christmas menu he sent with his Christmas letter. He believes it may have been taken out due to insufficient postage. He has received nine more Christmas cards and a few letters. He updates them on his hair tonic and shampoo. He also inquired if they had talked to Ruth Riccruit. He was at a U.S.O. dance and saw a girl from Harrisburg, Arline, but does not remember her last name.

GLC09611.395

January 18, 1945

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated January 18, 1945. He took a bus around the island to see the sights and describes the trip. He was invited to join two lieutenants that were doing the same thing for lunch. He received letters from Viola, Bertha Hutton, Edith Hutton, Lorraine Fencil, and Dottie Erickson. He also mentions Seward Hutton, Rosalina Fencil, Melvin Fencil, Mike Riccruit and Ruth Riccruit. He is censored when discussing where Mike may be stationed and the possibility of Mike being shipped somewhere else.

GLC09611.396

1937-1963

Various

Header Record

Title: [World War II letters of Leonard Eugene Graeff of Harrisburg Pennsylvania] [Decimalized .001-.602]

672 items, primarily letters from and to Leonard Eugene Graeff. Many of the letters are between him and his parents Raymond James Graeff and Susan Prowell Graeff. The items date from 1937 to 1963 with the bulk of the material from 1942-1945. The letters contain day to day details of Leonards life and time in the service and traning. He attended Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois and was stationed in Hawaii after training. Most of the letters disscuss news from home. Of note Leonard also recieved letters from some friends who were also in the military and from their families keeping him…

GLC09611

22 November 1943

Various

Header Record

Title: [Letter, Invitation and Train Ticket] [Decimalized .01-.03]

Three items pertaining to a trip taken by Leonard Eugene Graeff to a U.S.O. dance in Milwaukie Wisconsin. Contains a letter to his parents, Susan Prowell Graeff, and Raymond James Graeff, an invitation to the open house, and a furlough train ticket to Milwaukie, Wisconsin.

GLC09611.148