Scope and Contents Charlie B[urleigh] to Betty, on roommate’s stationery (Franklin Mullon [Moon], S.A.E. House, Durham, NH) [Univ of New Hampshire?]"Went sailing w/Moon & another boy; boat tipped over; rescued; was very cold; should have worn rubbers; bet Aunt Dot makes you wear yours when wet out. How are your kittens? How is Barbara & “Mush-face”? How did operetta come out? Well, “Little one”, I must get to work or will never become a forester & ride a big white horse. Thank...

Scope and Contents Charlie B, to Miss Betty Jean B, Hampden, Mass. Return: C.A.B. Jr., SACTD, Box 2649, Barracks #10, Tulsa, Okla."Have seen cowboys, not as goodlooking as in movies; wear tall hats &high boots, but otherwise kind of dirty; their horses are smaller than riding horses in east, but kept in better condition, healthier, happier. Not doing any more flying; to be transferred to Airplane Armament; may get leave for couple wks, or may go directly to Lowry Field, Denver. You asked who...

Scope and Contents Charlie B to Betty Jean, Hampden. Air Corps Technical School, Lowry Field, CO; A/C Charles A. Burleigh"Sorry haven’t written; been very busy; Armament school gets more complicated, so more studying. Take weekends off to go hunting & see the country. Met a few cowboys; some are illiterate. Got letter from Aunt Ester. Sent the Breck boys a picture of me like the one you have. Things looking good now, so might be commissioned Jan or Feb; just finished wk of machine...

Scope and Contents Denver, to Betty Jean B, Hampden, on Lowry Field stationery"Rec’d your letter; am interested in Westover[?] field & the bombing practice you have had. Food here very good, but miss home cooking. Just about finished w/class; all are pleased to be getting commissions early; can hardly wait to get into an officer’s uniform. Weekends off, go into Denver to big Cadet Club w/lots of activities. The mts are beautiful at Sunrise. Might see you this Christmas if I get up near...

Scope and Contents To BJB, Chapin Rd, Hampden, from 1st Lt. Charles A. Burleigh 0-434810[?], 353 Bomb Sqd., A.P.O. 520 c/o Postmaster, NY"Been years since I last wrote, though I dropped you a card in England; it is this war, that keeps us moving day & night. I hear things have happened to Burleigh family; Aunt Louise wrote that Molly is married. Yes, there are camels in Africia [sic]; we have them here & lots of little burros. The Arabs look like in books, only more ragged & dirty;...

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L. E. Loyd, S 2/c, Div L, U.S.S. Arkansas, c/o Fleet P.O., NY, NY; to Mr & Mrs Wm B Loyd, Sr, 41 Fairview St., Springfield, Mass. ; on Lewis E. Loyd, A.S., stationery w/monogram & US Navy, & printed address: Co. 556, U.S.N.T.S., Newport, R.I. Passed by. . .Censor stamp on env.

"Dear Folks, I’m censored, Can’t write a thing, Just say that I’m well And sign my name. . . In form of a poem, mentioning kinds of things can’t do or write about. Love, Lew."

Scope and Contents Charles Jr. to Betty Jean, Chapin Rd, Hampden. 353 Bomb Sqd, 301st Bomb Gp, APO 520 NY; on Desert Hotel stationery, Spokane, Wash. Passed by US Army Examiner stamp on env."Nice to hear from you; letters much appreciated over here. It’s 8:15pm, just finished work; nice to sit down & write w/bottle of fairly good wine; we all work long hrs, but if you could see our result you’d understand why everyone is so eager to do a good job. Ray is stationed in NJ; I’m glad he gets to...

Scope and Contents Charles Jr. to Betty Jean, Chapin Rd, Hampden. 353 Bomb Sqd, 301st Bomb Gp, APO 520 NY, not on DH stationery."Afraid I can’t jam a camel in my bag; they’re huge & smell like a back house on a hot summer day; we have very cute ‘Burros”, 3 feet from hoof to shoulder & covered w/thick fur; the Arabs put a ton of hay on them w/a rug on top & then climb up on them; looks like a moving haystack w/Mahatma Gandi sitting on top. I smoke a pipe here, much to disgust of my...

Scope and Contents Charles Jr. to Betty Jean, and BJB’s address is Box 104, Hampden, MA. On Desert Hotel stationery. "Hurry along w/the picture for me; want to see what you look like now that you’re grown up. Thanks for the letter from my Dad to yours [not present]; interesting that 20, 40, & 60 yrs ago people lived, played, & fought wars the same as now. Have not heard of “The Constant Nymph” w/ Charles Boyer over here; personally I think Ch Boyer’s brand of love is a bit windy &...

Scope and Contents Burleigh is Captain now; Betty Jean Burleigh's address is Glendale Rd, Hampden."Got your long letter & the pic today; pic like that is what this Army needs to keep up morale; been 14 mos since I saw a pretty girl in shorts. Writes of 3 small photos he encloses: Arab girl in robes and head cover, male Arab beggar, & CB in front of his Armament shop [a tent]. Here’s a little dope on the philosophy of a Soldier; eat, drink, and play now for tomorrow you will have moved on;...

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Same addresses on a V-Mail, 3 ½ x 4[?]; looks like a photographic copy; envelope is postmarked New York, 1943-12-10 [sic], War & Navy Depts, V-Mail Service; Official business.

"Wishing you a Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year; my early Christmas greeting to you & all the folks in Hampden; so busy here, not possible to write to all; you will have to give my wishes to others. Love, Charlie B."

Scope and Contents "Was in Tunis other day for first time in several wks, w/Capt. Katz, wandering about town, in & out of Bars; found nothing we needed at Officers’ PX; ice cream & sandwiches at the Red Cross; ate dinner and supper at the Tunisian Palace Hotel; home by truck at 8:30, for the town is closed a 9pm.Go to bed early; get up at 4 or 5 every other morning, 6:30 other days & Sunday You’re hereby invited to Boston for a wedding when I get to the States; we’ll have several...

Scope and Contents "Another Merry Christmas wish to you.Now I’m a very much engaged man even though I do not act it; supposed to be married (Boy I’m henpecked already) as soon as I hit the States; I hope you’ll be present as one of the chief mourners; you can come up to Boston w/my Mom; will be some great times. Work here slowing up for the winter: fixing up our tent & getting ready for a big spring; still fight the war but has slacked off & we can get some sleep. About this country: a hell...

Scope and Contents "Plans for a big time in Boston include you; will be very well chaperoned by myself, & escorted by a date, arranged by my girl.You asked about my Army job: I’m Squadron Armament Officer; I take care of and repair all guns, bombs, ammo, gun turrets, bombsights, gun cameras, flares, flare pistols, and all small arms; also I’m Chemical Warfare & Base Defense Officer; have to check out all bombardiers & gunners, explain how to use equipment for best results ; supervise...

Scope and Contents Envelope is postmarked U.S.Postal Service No. 1, 1944-2-25 [sic], War & Navy Depts, V-Mail Service; Official business."I’ve been 3 wks in the hospital w/yellow jaundice; doc says I’ll be out of here in 3 or 4 days; I’m feeling fine.A Sgt Thomas here is going on medical leave & may get to visit his folks in Westfield, Mass; I gave him Aunt Louise’s & Aunt Ester’s addresses so he can phone them and tell what goes on here & how I am; picked them ‘cause...

Scope and Contents “Opened by U. S. Army Examiner” tape detached from env."So you want my girl’s address: Miss Marcia Weatherill, 35 Temple Street, Arlington, Mass. Drop Marci a line; I’ve told her to put you on the list as an extra special house guest for the wedding.I’m out of the “butcher shop’, all well, back in action, raring to go. I can hardly keep up with you, for the rate you change boyfriends; good work: keep ‘em on the run; I thought I had one on the run, but if it wasn’t...

Scope and Contents "Got your letter about your operation; it’s good you had them out, for a flying person gets into some awful places; I’m still waiting for the letter you sent w/the pictures. Been seeing the sights of Italy for two wks; just back to the outfit last night; traveling over here is fun & easy; go to an Officers’ mess & eat all you want; I’ve covered most of England, Africa, and parts of Italy that way, & it works.My chances of going home soon seem quite slim; kind of used...

Scope and Contents On personal stationery w/his name & address printed on env & paper: Capt. Charles A. Burleigh, 0-434810 / 353 Bomb. Sqdn. 301 Bomb. Group. (H) A.A.F. / A. P. O. 520 c/o Postmaster / New York City, New York. Image of a red plane on paper. [Had printed by an Italian in town.]"Sorry the pics you sent have never arrived. School out soon & you’ll have summer ahead; plans? I have mighty large plans, but probably delayed ‘cause so much work to do; enjoying life here but...

Scope and Contents "Glad to get your letter after such a long time; “your [you’re?] a Wolf”: in all these letters you have a new man on the line or angling for one.Keeping busy over here, and probably all summer; nothing new concerning me going home. Drew all kinds of rations in town today: 6 choc bars, 11 packs of tobacco, cigars and soap, and stuff; not the same war as in Africa [consistently spells it ‘Africia’]: if we got the soap, we couldn’t get the water. Life here pretty good, but looking...

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"Just finished long trip getting supplies I needed very badly.

According to latest rumors, I may be seeing you soon; ‘soon’ in Army means in next 3 mos. Have an unmounted cameo I’ll bring to you; Italy is original home of cameos. Made another trip to rest camp last wk and did horse back riding and fishing, without much luck in either. Work here a little rough at times, but we lead a pretty good life. Hoping to see you soon.. Love, Charlie B."

Scope and Contents "Got letter w/the 3 pics yesterday, and what a cousin I’ve got; very easy on the eyes; the extra 20 lbs seems to be in the right spots.Hoping to be home in Sept; will stop in to see you on way to Boston; might feel lost among all the Eng-speaking people. Tell your Dad we have the war in the bag: only a matter of time before we make the kill. Sgt. Thomas is on way home; has promised to stop in and see you; if you have time, fix him a chicken dinner. I hope Aunt Dot is coming...

Scope and Contents Cpl. Jimmy W. Loyd 42009405, 789th Engr. Pet.[?] Dist. Co., A.P.O. 465 c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y., to Mr. & Mrs. W. B. Loyd, F. P. Station Box 123, Springfield, 8, Mass., U.S.A.Passed by Army Examiner stamp on env."To let you know I’m still alive & kicking; rec’d yesterday the cigars, tobacco & New Test. you mailed on May 22. Rec’d 2 letters from Lew and answered both; takes over a month to get his mail.Had an argument w/ an M.P Saturday...

Content Description From the Collection: Twenty-six letters written by four U. S. servicemen during World War II, plus fifty-two photographs and four artifacts. Charles Burleigh’s letters are short and chatty. He wrote about his work in general, with frequent references to being tired, but he never mentioned the B-17s or their missions. He commented on living conditions, the dearth of comforts, camels, Arabs, and the relatively better situation in Italy. He wrote about activities during breaks, including day trips...

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Charlie B. to Betty Jean. Capt. CAB, Headquarters 301 Bomb Gp (H) AAF, APO 520 c/o Postmaster N.Y., to Betty Jean Burleigh, Glendale Road, Hampden, Mass.

"Been long time since I’ve written, but as you can see I’ve moved; lot of work to get used to has kept me busy. Gave your address to a favorite Sgt to write you, a damned good looking man.

Have things well under control here & getting along fine; hope soon can go home, maybe Dec or Jan. Love, Charlie B."

Scope and Contents On U.S. Air Forces stationery. No censor stamp on env."Very glad to get your letter. Will try to give you the dope on Sgt. Joe: he’s around 23yo, about 5’7” or 8”, 160 lbs, mostly well placed muscle; good looking, though his shoulders are too wide for his height; as smart as they come, full of hell & fun, a good man to have around for a party or a fight, but usually quiet spoken & a real gentleman.Hope to be home early Feb if all goes well,...