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Box 1

 Container

Contains 21 Results:

Johnny Tolbert letters

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: 6089
Abstract The Johnny Tolbert letters is a collection of 151 letters and four Western Union telgrams sent from United States Army soldier Johnny Tolbert (1924-1989), also known as Johnnie Clifton or J.C., to Ruth Mae Clennell (1925-2000) from San Pedro, California between 1943-1946. Tolbert met Clennell on September 2, 1943, the night before his deployment to the South Pacific. Tolbert's love and affection for Clennell and his feelings of homesickness are the main themes of the letters,...
Dates: 1943-1946

1943 Letters, 1943-09 - 1943-12

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 1
Scope and Contents

Tolbert's first letters to Clennell since being deployed to Australia and New Guinea. His letters mention deaths of soldiers he knew well. Along with the letters, there are two newspaper clippings of poems that were attached to the December 26, 1943 letter to Clennell.

Dates: 1943-09 - 1943-12

1944 January Letters, 1944-01

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Scope and Contents Tolbert writes from New Guinea and then the Southwest Pacific. His letters mention his loneliness, sadness, and jealousy over Clennell. Although unclear, Tolbert's tone toward Clennell is at times full of machoism and violent language. Tolbert's letters also include his observations of a local New Zealand performance, which includes derogatory language. Most notable in this file is a business card with the name of "Ensley Loan Company" on the front and "Special Hunting License on Yellow...
Dates: 1944-01

1944 February Letters, 1944-02

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 3
Scope and Contents

Tolbert's letters from the Southwest Pacific mention his homesickness, especially at seeing John Wayne and other stars arrive to perform a show. Tolbert also mentions a friend going home for a visit after serving in North Africa. References to the Japanese, fellow soldiers, and his mother are also included. A plastic strip that was signed by the Army Examiner is included in the February 16, 1944 letters.

Dates: 1944-02

1944 March Letters, 1944-03

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 4
Scope and Contents

Tolbert's letters indicate disillusionment as a soldier in the Southwest Pacific. He talks about fighting for some "big shot back there" and fears job scarcity after the war. Correspondence with Clennell also refers to her sickness. There are brief references to friends back home and the Japanese.

Dates: 1944-03

1944 April Letters, 1944-04

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 5
Scope and Contents

Tolbert's letters arrive from the South Pacific. His letters mostly mention friends and family from home.

Dates: 1944-04

1944 May Letters, 1944-05

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 6
Scope and Contents

Tolbert continues to write from his post in the Southwest Pacific. His tone to Clennell continues to reflect affection with a tinge of violent language. Tolbert's letters indicate his worries over his mother's possible operation. His May 28, 1944 letter reflects a racist attitude toward the Japanese through the violent language used.

Dates: 1944-05

1944 June Letters, 1944-06

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 7
Scope and Contents Tolbert's letters are written from New Britain. He continues to mention his loneliness and reveals his father's drinking problem. His tone toward Clennell continues to be affectionate but with an element of machoism. In one of the most outwardly racism sentiments expressed toward the Japanese, Tolbert writes in his June 7, 1944 letter: "japs the dirty dogs. They just aren't human. At least the Germans are humans. But humans or not they won't last long." Despite this, he hopes to visit Tokyo...
Dates: 1944-06

1944 July Letters, 1944-07

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 8
Scope and Contents

Tolbert's letters from New Britain mentions his photos of "natives". His letters also indicate that he has heard of the bombing in Japan. This file contains poems and newspaper clippings.

Dates: 1944-07

1944 August Letters, 1944-08

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 9
Scope and Contents

Tolbert primarily writes of homesickness and missing Clennell. The letters in this file start mentioning engagement and marriage.

Dates: 1944-08