2 May 1943

Shadow, John R., fl. 1943-1944

Header Record

Title: One letter and two newspaper clipping sent to Leonard Eugene Graeff [Decimalized .01- .02]

One letter and two newspaper clippings sent by John Shadow to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated May 2, 1943.

GLC09611.047

2 May 1943

Shadow, John R., fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from John Shadow to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated May 2, 1943. John relays that he was glad to hear from Leonard. He asks how things were going in Harrisburg. John writes Leonard that he made rank of Captain but was demoted when he began school. He notes "I will probably get them back, and a lot more I hope." He confirms that he completed basic training and 11 days of advanced training in Miami Beach, Florida. John relays that "The school here and the city of Flint certainly is nice" and the town people treat the roughly 550 soldiers there "marvelous[ly]" and he was asked out to…

GLC09611.047.01

2 May 1943

Shadow, John R., fl. 1943-1944

Newspaper clipping

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One newspaper clipping, consists of pages 19 and 20 of a unknown newspaper. Page 19 highlights a "hop" put on for sailors by the Cleveland Diesel Girls' Bowling League. Page 20's Headline reads "Buck Air Force Ground Personnel Training School Awarded Efficiency Citation for Nine State Area." It is the fourth article in a series on the training program by the GM divisions. John has annotated the images with captions relaying his experiences. One caption reads "these men will leave in eleven weeks for active duty as skilled aircraft engine mechanics." Page 21 is continuation of the newspaper…

GLC09611.047.02

18 May 1943

Shadow, John R., fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from John Shadow to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated May 18, 1943. John relays that he is doing well averaging an 87% score while at school. He states that after graduating he will be moved to another base "but where it will be I do not know." He is hoping for a furlough after graduating. John thanks Leonard for mentioning that he saw Pearl at Hershey and that she was honest and told him she was there. He asserts his love for Pearl and wishes that she didn't want to date others while he is in the army. He concludes the letter noting that he is will keep studying that night, signed "John…

GLC09611.050

7 June 1943

Shadow, John R., fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from John Shadow to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated June 7, 1943. John relays he has three more weeks left in his training. The previous week was engine assembly this week he worked engine adjustment. He insists that his love interest Pearl is cheating on him so he has decided to date. He hopes Graeff will receive another deferment. He notes "The army is not bad at all, but it would be better to be a civilian." He concludes his letter by saying he will be leaving his location on the 26th but does not know his destination. Signed, "John."

GLC09611.055

9 July 1943

Shadow, John R., fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from John Shadow to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated July 9, 1943. John hopes that Leonard's throat is healing and relays that he has been at his new base, Hunter Field in Savannah, Georgia for six days but is still unsure about the type of work he will be doing noting that "We really have it easy. Sunday I have guard duty, from 12:20 till Monday 12:20." John applied for a furlough and prays that he receives it. His "first impression of the place was a hell hole. Now its not so bad." He says "every night they bring truck loads of girls to the bases for dances." Signed, "John."

GLC09611.059

27 July 1943

Shadow, John R., fl. 1943-1944

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leonard Eugene Graeff

One letter from John Shadow to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated July 27, 1943. John continues to pray for furlough. He is shocked that his love interest Pearl got engaged to which he says "How's that for a morale builder...that's the kind of news that a soldier really hates to receive." Despite that, he had good time swimming in the Atlantic Ocean at Tybee Beach. Signed "John."

GLC09611.063