January 15, 1945

Myers, William J., 1919-2002

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Rose Myers

A letter from William J. Myers to Mary Rose Myers dated January 15, 1945. William writes that he is listening to a radio show, "Bob Hawks and the Camel Show." He also mentions that he received the letter she enclosed in her last letter and he will drop them a line. William also mentions that he went on a deep sea fishing expedition, where he caught a Gruber fish and two octopuses. He also mention that a movie star, Brian Donbury, visited the ward and was real nice. He signs off wishing her all his love and signs the letter Bill.

GLC09683.19

4 January 1943

Grwoley, Jules, fl. 1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Jules Grwoley to Richard Jerome Silbiger dated January 4, 1943. Jules writes that he was transferred to his current company at Camp Crowder, Missouri. He will be in basic training for four weeks and then in radio training for fourteen weeks. He received his pack and gas mask today. Jules also mentions that the weather is unpredictable, warm one day and cold the next. He writes, "Everyone, me too, is coughing that's the Crowder Croup." This letter is written on Camp Crowder stationery. Written at Camp Crowder.

GLC09684.01

January 18, 1943

Kowarsky, Bernice, fl. 1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Bernice Kowarsky to Richard Jerome Silbiger dated January 18, 1943. Bernice is writing instead of studying for her regents' exams the next week. She complains that the weather is so warm she cannot concentrate on anything. She mentions a magazine called Tower, which published her story, and discusses how exciting it is to have a work published. She mentions seeing Linda Barbara at the hospital in Far Rockaway. She writes that Linda Barbara resembles a new born kitten to her, but everyone says she is very pretty. Bernice also tells Richard about a novel she just finished…

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10 February 1943

Grwoley, Jules, fl. 1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Jules Grwoley to Richard Jerome Silbiger dated February 10, 1943. Jules writes that he is sorry to hear Richard was in the hospital and that he has managed to avoid it so far. He finished basic and has been classified as "Radio Repair," and pre-radar. He will be reclassified as radar as soon as it opens again as the rank has been closed for now. Jules mentions he has been on duty three times. He is now hiding in the service club to avoid digging ditches. This letter is written on Camp Crowder stationery. Written at Camp Crowder.

GLC09684.04

February 5, 1943

Kowarsky, Bernice, fl. 1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Bernice Kowarsky to Richard Jerome Silbiger dated February 5, 1943. Bernice thanks Richard for his letter and for her one and only graduation gift so far. She updates him on Dorothy's cold, "as far as Dorothy is concerned, her cold is better." Bernice complains that graduation didn't live up to her expectations, and that the diplomas were actually just blank pieces of paper. She was much happier when Tower and the Senior Book came out than at graduation. Bernice also updates Richard on some others saying that Sal has been put into 1A, and Harold was reclassified as 4F. She…

GLC09684.03

17 February 1943

Silbiger, Richard Jerome, 1922-1999

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dorothy Silbiger

One letter from Richard Jerome Silbiger to Dorothy Silbiger dated February 17, 1943. Richard has K.P. (kitchen patrol) duty and says he plans to look at her photo as inspiration to keep going. He then recounts what happened in a bivouac yesterday. In the pre-dawn they were woken up and left for an eight mile march with a temperature of -14 degrees Fahrenheit outside. They carried sixty pounds of pack, equipment, clothing and a rifle. They marched barely a half hour when the first case of frost bite appeared. There were 75 men out of a company of 250 men who had to be taken back to base via…

GLC09684.05

27 March 1943

Grwoley, Jules, fl. 1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dorothy Silbiger

One letter from Jules Grwoley to Dorothy Silbiger dated March 27, 1943. Jules complains to Dorothy that he hasn't heard from her husband, Richard, in almost a month. Jules mentions that in Dorothy's last letter to him, she mentioned seeing him in a dream and he doesn't want her dreaming of him. Jules wants Florence to dream of him instead. He complains about K.P. (kitchen patrol) duty, and scrubbing. He says it is not good for his complexion. Jules will be done with radio training in three weeks, and hopes to be in Florida before then. He likes the idea of living in Florida, but plans to wait…

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2 May 1943

Gerber, Jack, fl. 1941-1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dorothy Silbiger

One letter from Jack Gerber to Dorothy Silbiger dated May 2, 1943. Jack writes that mutual friends, Betty and Sam, just got married and should be home from their honeymoon soon. He complains about how much work he has to do and how busy they are with classes. He reports that it's about a year of schooling condensed into four months. He apologizes for the letter being so short, but he has to be fast with everything. This letter is written on Camp Davis stationery.

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1 June 1943

Gerber, Jack, fl. 1941-1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dorothy Silbiger

One letter from Jack Gerber to Dorothy Silbiger dated June 1, 1943. Jack starts explaining that each letter he writes tends to get written over the course of a week when he catches little breaks to work on it. He complains that with the pace of classes his handwriting is getting bad as he struggles to write quickly enough to take notes. Jack also writes he will be a real smart guy once they see each other again if he retains most of what he is learning. The topics include; surveying, map reading, airplane recognition, motor transportation, rifles, telephones, radio, electricity, and a lot on…

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16 June 1943

Stone, Sayord, fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Sayord Stone to Richard Jerome Silbiger dated June 16, 1943. Sayord writes that he received Richard's letter and understands the contentment he gets from Dorothy's presence. He asks if Richard is loving radar work. Sayord writes the O.C.S. (Officer Candidate School) is diminishing and getting replaced by WAAC's (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps). There is now an order that 80 percent of the personnel must be 1B men. He writes that this week they started training. He feels it is weird as it is his first time training since basic. Syaord writes that despite his wife's objections he…

GLC09684.09

11 June 1943

Linder, Arno, fl. 1943

Typed letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Arno Linder to Richard Jerome Silbiger dated June 11, 1943, but postmarked July 12, 1943. Arno updates Richard on some of their comrades writing: Paul Margolin is at the University of Mississippi, Milt Wiltsek is at Georgia Tech, and Joe Sugarman arrived at Macon that morning. Arno is taking a review course for the 268 (Signal Corps Radio no. 268) that lasts four weeks. He heard that Richard has signed up to be an aviation cadet and thinks he should back out. He says Richard should contact Colonel Green and Green will go to bat for his group. Arno complains about Macon,…

GLC09684.10

13 July 1943

Maddow, Les, fl. 1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger and Dorothy Silbiger

One letter from Les Maddow to Richard Jerome Silbiger and Dorothy Silbiger dated July 13, 1943. Les writes he is glad that Richard got the post as a clerk as that means Dorothy can live with him in Tampa. Les has been sent to Rhode Island as a part of ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program) and is learning math, physics, chemistry, English, history, geography, and military government. The best part is Rhode Island is only three and a half hours from New York, so he is able to go home nearly every weekend. This letter is written on Camp Murphy, Florida stationary, but is written in Kingston,…

GLC09684.11

23 August 1943

Friedman, Stanley L., fl. 1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Stanley L. Friedman to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated August 23, 1943. Stanley writes that ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program) is tough but he loves it. He has never worked so hard, but he really enjoys the information and time really flies. He likes Raleigh even though he only gets to leave base Saturday night. The only way the post could be better is if his wife could be there with him. He hopes Richard is enjoying aviation as much as he is enjoying ASTP.

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22 August 1943

Pollinsger, Oscar, fl. 1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Oscar Pollinsger to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated August 22, 1943. Oscar writes that he just got back from an emergency furlough to take care of his dad who had a heart attack. Before his furlough he was in the hospital for heat prostration, and during furlough he caught a cold. He and his father are feeling much better now. He complains about his position and rank to an inspector who promised to help him. He hopes he will be sent to base intelligence to get into cryptanalysis. Oscar also says that last week all the signal companies on base went on a ten mile hike. He writes…

GLC09684.13

9 September 1943

Holbrooke, Lenore, fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Lenore Holbrooke to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated September 9, 1943. Lenore writes to her nephew that she bought and sent a box of cookies that his father said he likes. She hopes all is well, and that the heat in Florida wasn't too bad for him this last summer.

GLC09684.14

21 October 1943

Maddow, Les, fl. 1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Les Maddow to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated October 21, 1943. Les congratulates Richard for joining the aviation cadets, and that he is to start basic tomorrow. He is taking analytics, geometry, physics, chemistry, history, geography, and English classes at the college. He is not sure why the Army sent them to school unless they plan to use them after the war, but he is not complaining. He gets to go home to New York every weekend. The program takes twenty one months, and at the end he will get college credit for the classes. A mutual friend "Smiley" arrived with 300 other…

GLC09684.15

12 December 1943

Lyon, Ann, fl. 1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Ann Lyon to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated December 12, 1943. Ann writes to her nephew that a care package is coming his way, but not to believe its size as a lot of it is packaging. the box contatins stuffed Olives that his Aunt Sade said he likes. She left the packaging to a man at Delaney Street, and when he finished packing it looked much bigger. Sends her love to Dorothy.

GLC09684.16

12 December 1943

Zeffert, Rhona, fl. 1943

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Rhona Zeffert to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated December 12, 1943. Rhona writes that Richard hasn't been a good friend as she had to hear about his marriage second hand, and get updates on him from other people. She writes that Arnold, who now goes by Allen, is at Tennessee-Eastman College. Herbert, is in Minnesota at college and is now a corporal. She reports that she has lost some weight, and at her last appointment the doctor said she was under weight. She has no plans to get married yet but is having fun. She hopes to see Richard and Dorothy soon and have a dinner with…

GLC09684.17

19 December 1943

Holbrooke, Lenore, fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Lenore Holbrooke to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated December 19, 1943. Lenore writes that she sent a package with a Christmas gift for Dorothy although it is addressed to Richard. She is glad that he received the package she sent earlier with the bracelet and soap. Had she known that soap was such a luxury item she would have sent more, but she will send a few boxes when Richard is more settled. Lenore tells Richard not to send a Christmas gift to her as the prices and shipping are so expensive. She will, "take the will for the deed and appreciate it just the same." Lenore…

GLC09684.18

January 25, 1944

Bruttman, Sade, fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Sade Bruttman to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated January 25, 1944. Sade writes that she was shocked to hear that Dorothy needed surgery. She assures Richard he did the right thing in standing by his wife and telling the army where they stand. She asks Richard to tell Dorothy to be careful when she is released. If she has any money problems let her know, as she would be there to help. She also mentions sending a silk gown to Dorothy that she was saving for Dorothy's birthday gift, but decided to give it to her early as a get well soon gift. She asks for a picture of Dorothy, and…

GLC09684.19

January 20, 1944

Holbrooke, Lenore, fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Lenore Holbrooke to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated January 20, 1944. Lenore writes to Richard comments that his last letter was amusing and she is glad everything is getting better. Lenore tells him to make sure he is studying hard, that even though he is naturally smart it doesn't mean he can take what he is learning for granted. He will need this information in the future so he should take the time now to make sure he really learns it. She visited New York the past week, and saw Bernice and the kids as well as some other family. She didn't see his dad but she saw him at…

GLC09684.20

January 22, 1944

Bruttman, Sade, fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Sade Bruttman to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated January 22, 1944. Sade writes that she is looking forward to a break from school and having time to read a book. She asks if he has read it (the title is illegible), and says she can send it to him if he is interested. She also asks what Richard wants to do with the "History in Medicine" book he sent her. She asks why Richard is teaching math and physics. She wonders if there is a possibility of him returning to teach in the specialized training program.

GLC09684.21

January 28, 1944

Bruttman, Sade, fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Sade Bruttman to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated January 28, 1944. Sade writes hoping that Dorothy is on the road to recovery. She reminds him to be careful and not get in trouble, even though she understands he wants to be with Dorothy. She hopes that Dorothy will be permitted a ten day hospitalization as in New York they are only giving seven days after an appendicitis surgery. Sade writes that under no circumstances should Dorothy be permitted to work for a month so she recovers properly. If they need money to let her know. She also states that if Dorothy and Richard need…

GLC09684.22

8 February 1944

Holbrooke, Lenore, fl. 1943-1944

Typed letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Lenore Holbrooke to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated February 8, 1944. Lenore writes to express her hope that Dorothy is doing well after her ordeal. She wonders if Dorothy is alone, or boarding with a family. She congratulates Richard on his promotion to cadet officer, and wonders if that means a pay increase. She warns him to be careful in his letters though as, "you can't tell, they might be censored and you are libel to hurt yourself as sometimes even the Government's sense of humor is stunted." Lenore also mentions that Richard's father has a white collar job, she only…

GLC09684.23

13 March 1944

Stone, Sayord, fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Jerome Silbiger

One letter from Sayord Stone to Richard Jerome Silbiger, dated March 13, 1944. Sayord writes that he is doing well and he has really found his place in the army. He is a member of the signal corps band and is stationed in Monmouth. Ricky and he have just got a house off base. Ricky has a job on the base. He is off every day at 5:05 p.m. and can go home every night. He has to be at roll call at 7:30 a.m. and at 8:30 a.m. the band rehearses until 10:00 a.m.. At 12:30 p.m. they play some marches for the guys going to classes, after that nothing until 5:00 p.m. when they play the national anthem…

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