The collection contains the correspondence from Robert Bruce Johnson to his parents and his aunt during the period of his service in the U.S. Army Air Force from his enlistment in September 1942 to his discharge in September 1945 after the conclusion of World War II. Johnson began his service as a private with the 19th Anti-Submarine Squadron, where he served until the fall of 1943, when he was promoted to corporal in the 812th Bomb Squad. The letters include descriptions of his movements between bases, the training and classroom instruction that he is given as an airplane mechanic, and various trips taken off base. He attends training at Miami Beach Basic Training Center in Florida and Lowry Army Air Field in Colorado before spending the majority of his service at an unspecified base in England. He makes regular comments to his parents about his observations of the new locations he encounters, the quality of life on base, and his friendships in the Army. In a letter from July 2, 1944, Johnson notifies his parents that his girlfriend from Richmond has decided to marry someone else due to his long absence during the war.

John R. L. Johnson was a resident of Williamsburg, Virginia, in the class of 1894 at the College of William and Mary and a professor of English at the College of William and Mary.

Also included in this collection are two bound linen scrapbooks belonging to the Johnson family, consisting primarily of postcards and holiday greeting cards.