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Letters, September - December, 1943

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 4
Identifier: id136136

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents Just like letters in folders #2 and 3, these letters are an extension of those in the previous folder. Dansby continues to write love letters to Sykes from the South Pacific island. During the time span of the letters, Sykes moved within St. Louis, for the second time since October 1942, changed her job, from which she was laid off soon thereafter (letter of 30 October), and had her divorce finalized (letter of 21 November). Dansby, on the other hand, became progressively more depressed and homesick. In comparison to the ports of embarkation in California, the conditions on the classified island were austere and, as it has been the case since Dansby joined the Army, he wished the war were over and he could see Sykes and St. Louis. His morale hit rock bottom at the end of December when he wrote, "I am putting up a fight against the shattering of my morale and darling [sic] I am telling you [sic] it's not easy at all. Whatever happens though [sic] you can bet I'll be here thinking of you and fighting to my last breath" (25 December 1943). While Dansby did not get shipped off to the Pacific front between September and December, his letters suggest that others from his basic training cohort were starting to get shipped off to both, the European and the Pacific, fronts. For example, in his letter from 1 December 1943, he wrote that his fellow soldier and friend, Nelson, had been sent to England. The letters contain much evidence of censorship in the form of cutouts. The most interesting are from 9 and 14 September and 21 November. For example, the 9 September letter has cutouts with cut out penciled in above them.

Dates

  • Creation: September - December, 1943

Creator

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

English

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.40 Linear Feet (1 Full Hollinger box.)

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center Repository

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