21 May 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He is very happy that his father is at "Alderbrook," and says he deserves the rest and relaxation. Nothing new to report. He hasn't flown with his new crew yet due to a sore throat. He notes they're "swell," regardless. He closes the letter telling his father to enjoy the break and "live like a fisherman." The letter is dated "Sunday." "Letters in a Box," notes the letter was sent on May 21, 1944.

GLC09620.097

3 June 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Writes that he's glad "Alderbrook" was a huge success and that the "Navy situation has come to a head," as his father can truly get a break. As he mentioned on the phone, "not for repeition," he'll be leaving March Field to a combat zone. Everything is quite indefinite at this moment. He asks that his family keeps writing to his address. The letter is dated "Saturday." "Letters in a Box," notes the letter was sent on June 3, 1944.

GLC09620.098

31 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 31, 1943. Leonard writes that half the men in his barracks are on leave so it is really quiet. He took advantage of it to do laundry but needs to darn some socks. He asks that the next time they send him a box to put in a thimble. He got a few Christmas cards that were lost in the mail due to incorrect addresses. He reports that Robert Winemiller will be stationed in Arizona for another month. He went to another W.A.V.E.S. dance and met up with the red-haired girl he mentioned when he was…

GLC09611.194

January 13, 1944

Gassert, Thomas William, fl. 1943-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from Thomas William Gassert to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated January 13,1944. Thomas writes that he hasn't been flying but is finished with gunners school. He does not have a rating, and does not predict getting one soon. He got into a fight with a specialist while he was drinking. Due to this disorderly conduct he was assigned to mess and restricted duty. He asks Leonard to send him Wolf's address. He comments that his liberties would be good if he was not restricted; 36 hours every week and 3 over nights every week.

GLC09611.218

6 December 1943

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond John Graeff

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated December 6, 1943. Leonard writes he has received three letters, after not receiving any for a week. He jokes that Susan must have told someone about washing the windows, because he has been on window washing detail at the barracks. He mentioned that he is doing okay in school. He expresses disappointment that the work is not more in depth but it is more of a overview of what the job will be like. The only marching they do is to and from school, but they do have "physical hardening" five days a week;…

GLC09611.165

12 December 1943

Roberts, Natalie, fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from Natalie Roberts to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated December 12, 1943. Natalie apologizes for not writing sooner, preparations for Christmas had her busy. She mentions town isn't decorated like normal. They are putting up the tree by the bank, but won't be putting lights on it this year. She clears up confusion over a line in an earlier letter, and reports that she got a record she had put on order. She mentions, "I'll be Home for Christmas," and "White Christmas" as songs she keeps hearing everywhere she goes. She writes, "I'll be Home for Christmas" makes her sad. She expresses…

GLC09611.171.01

4 November 1943

Fencil, Lorraine, fl. 1928-1946

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Graeff

One letter from Lorraine Fencil and Roselina Fencil to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated November 4, 1943. Lorraine writes that she and her father went hunting on the weekend. She shot a rabbit that was sitting still but she missed three others that were running. She played a hockey game and her team won 3-0. There is a new girl in her class who threw a tantrum on her first afternoon and was throwing everything she could get her hands on. She is bad tempered and tells everyone to shut up. Lorraine writes, "we've had more fun since she came than we had all year." Lorraine's parents got Eddie's…

GLC09611.143

18 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 18, 1943. Leonard writes that he is still at Great Lakes Naval Training Station even though he hoped to be shipped right to school. He noticed that a lot of the men who weren't going to schools from his company have already shipped out. One sailor that he talked with was lucky enough to go to school near his home. He hopes that maybe he will be assigned to the school in Bainbridge, Maryland so he can visit home on the weekend. He is still on K. P. Duty (Kitchen Police) and it is a long day.…

GLC09611.145

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

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

24 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 24, 1943. Leonard admonishes his mother to take it easy with her back. He is glad Uncle Joe is doing so much better and says it sounds like he had a lot of trouble with his health. He discusses the photos they took while he was on leave and asks how many are left. He saw Bernice's boyfriend Bruce at Great Lakes, Bernice had sent him a photo of Leonard. He is off K.P. duty (Kitchen Police) and it sounds like he will be sent to school the next day. The hall he is in now sleeps over a thousand…

GLC09611.150

19 November 1943

Great Lakes Naval Training Station (Great Lakes, Ill.)

Newspaper

Title: Great Lakes Bulletin. [Vol. 18 no. 47 (November 19, 1943)]

One newspaper entitled "Great Lakes Bulletin" dated November 19, 1943. The newspaper covers events at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, comics, ads, and information on insurance. On the first page there is a menu for a Thanksgiving meal that will be served; a list of educational classes being offered free of charge for the recruits; a report on the sit-up championship; and a picture of Company 1364 and Company 1388. Both companies are in the "Hall of Fame" for having received the "Rooster Award" multiple times. Company 1364 received the award 3 times, and Company 1388 received it five…

GLC09611.158

2 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 2, 1943. Leonard writes that he is glad to recieved Susan's previous mail. He was waiting for the letter before writing back. He is getting a lot of mail again, six letters the day before and three that day. He has attended school for four days. He is enrolled in math, mechanical drawing, coppersmith, gas welding, and electrical welding theory classes. He is glad he already knows a bit about welding but is worried about the math. The service school gets out at 4:30 pm right before dinner. He…

GLC09611.160

10 September 1942

Myers, William J., 1919-2002

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Rose Myers

A letter from William J. Myers to Mary Rose Myers dated September 10, 1942. William reports that he just arrived at the base to start gunnery school in the next few days. He writes that the school lasts five weeks. The first two weeks is for learning the functions of the guns while the rest is on field conditions and actually using the guns. The last week of school is shooting from the actual plane. You shoot at a sleeve of fabric that is pulled by another plane. William also lets her know where he is in Texas, and that it's so small it might not be on a map. He signs the letter "Tex."

GLC09685.01

16 September 1942

Myers, William J., 1919-2002

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Rose Myers

A letter from William J. Myers to Mary Rose Myers dated September 16, 1942. William is at gunnery school learning how the guns work and how to fire them. He finds it very tough, and outlines their schedule for the next five weeks. He is afraid he won't be able to learn it all and will fail, but he likes the work anyway. William also warns Mary Rose that he might not be able to write again in the next few weeks because of how busy the schedule is and asks her to apologize to everyone for him. William signs the letter as "Tex."

GLC09685.02

22 September 1942

Myers, William J., 1919-2002

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Rose Myers

A letter from William J. Myers to Mary Rose Myers dated September 22, 1942. William is taking a break from homework to write Mary Rose as he hasn't been able to in a while. He mentions that the five week course is actually a ten week course that has been cut down. He also writes, "I can't tell you what the course is about and what I'm doing, because everything here and what we do is vital to the enemy." He also mentions how hard the physical training is and that he gets stiff sitting in the machine gun turret of a B-17E for two hours a day. William ends his letter telling Mary Rose how much…

GLC09685.03

30 September 1942

Myers, William J., 1919-2002

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Rose Myers

A letter from William J. Myers to Mary Rose Myers dated September 30, 1942. William writes that he received the letter and package that Mary Rose sent. Next time though, he asks her to make sure any food stuffs that she sends are wrapped up nice and tight, because ants got into them and were everywhere. He also mentions that there is only a week left in school and that he hopes to be able to go to Mexico this Sunday. He couldn't go last Sunday because a colonel from Brazil was there. William signs the letter as "Tex."

GLC09685.04

6 October 1942

Myers, William J., 1919-2002

Typed letter

Title: to Mary Rose Myers

A letter from William J. Myers to Mary Rose Myers dated October 6, 1942. William writes that he hopes to graduate in a few days but doesn't know if he will as he has developed some trouble with his ear. He has an appointment with the flight surgeon to check it out. He also has a cold and it keeps getting worse due to the conditions of aerial firing. William tells Mary Rose about his trip to Mexico and comments that it was nice sightseeing, but it was no place for a woman to go. William also mentions that he has doubts about this new position if his ear worsens. He believes his health is more…

GLC09685.05

11 October 1942

Myers, William J., 1919-2002

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Rose Myers

A letter from William J. Myers to Mary Rose Myers dated October 11, 1942. William writes that it's Sunday morning and his final test is the next day. He is worried about passing, because he is no good on written tests. He did get to the top six for the number of hits though so he hopes that helps. William mentions that some of the men didn't take the test before going overseas for duty as they were radio operators before. William also scolds Mary Rose for something saying that she needs to take care of herself and not to repeat whatever happened. He thanks Ann Myers for the candy and asks…

GLC09685.06

15 October 1943

Winemiller, Roberta A., fl. 1921-1947

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from Robert Winemiller to Leonard Eugene Graeff, dated October 15, 1943. Robert tells Leonard that he is in charge of a parade march the next day. He surprised himself by passing the Officer Candidate School test. If he passes the physical he can go to Officer Candidate School. Robert signs as "Fuzz."

GLC09611.119

15 October 1943

Graeff, Susan Prowell, 1890-1967

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff to Leonard Eugene Graeff, dated October 15, 1943. Susan writes that she was cleaning the house all week. She thanks Leonard for the photo and says everyone she showed it to says it is "a swell picture." Raymond is going to take the car to get anti-freeze in it soon.

GLC09611.120

21 October 1943

Walter, June, fl. 1943-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from June Walter to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated October 21, 1943. June writes that she is glad to hear from Leonard and that he seems to be doing "swell," she encourages him to do good in school and study hard. June apologizes for the way she is writing, but she is picking up Southern turns of phrase from all the Southern offices stationed at "The Gap Lane." She went out to "Springers" the other night and lists some of the songs in the "Jingle Box." June compliments Leonard again on the photo he sent her. She also sympathizes with him on how many haircuts he has to get. She…

GLC09611.131

27 October 1943

Winemiller, Roberta A., fl. 1921-1947

Typed letter

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from Robert Winemiller to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated October 27, 1943. Robert asks if Leonard has been parading recently, he also asks a trivia question about marching positions. Robert breaks down what number and type of troops there are in a company. He mentions he was accepted into OCS (Officer Candidate School) and is very proud of himself for working hard enough to get in. Robert signs as Fuzz.

GLC09611.132

27 October 1943

Stouffer, Bernice, fl. 1943-1945

Typed letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from Bernice Stouffer to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated October 27, 1943. Bernice apologizes for not writing sooner. She is glad Leonard likes the Navy and wonders if it is possible for Leonard to visit her boyfriend Bruce who is also in the Navy. Bernice updates Leonard on "Eggie" who was just home on leave. She thinks he will be in the United States for the whole war as he is at Eglin Air Field fixing planes. She wishes Bruce could be so lucky as to be stationed in the United States but knows it is a pipe dream. Moyer is on furlough right now and will go to St. Petersburg to school…

GLC09611.136

10 October 1943

Winemiller, Roberta A., fl. 1921-1947

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from Robert Winemiller to Leonard Eugene Graeff, dated October 10, 1943. Robert writes that he recieved a letter from Eleanor recently. She met up with Emma and commented that he uses the same moves on all the girls. He took the Officer Candidate School exam but doesn't think he did well. Robert signs as Fuzz.

GLC09611.114