Guide to the Strout Family Papers , Mss. Acc. 2008.22

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Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

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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.

Preferred Citation:

Strout Family Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary

Acquisition Information:

Purchase.

Container List

id52414

Series 1: Herbert C. Strout Family - World War II

1.0 Linear Feet

1943-1959

Scope and Contents

Mostly correspondence between Herbert C. Strout and his wife, Phyllis Chipman Strout and daughter, Margaret, while Herbert Strout was stationed in South Carolina and Germany as a private in the U.S. Army. Other correspondents include Harold Chipman, Roy Strout, Shirley P. Strout, Ruth Chipman, Barbara Chipman, Tom Chipman, Elwood Strout and other relatives. Herbert Strout was stationed in Germany at the end of the war and during the occupation. Letters contain family and local news. Military news is noted in the inventory.

Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1 id52416
Correspondence
1943 January - 1944 August
Scope and Contents
Letters from Harold Chipman to Mrs. Herbert Strout (Mrs. Phyllis C. Strout), his sister. Stationed at Marine Engine School in Maine in January, but overseas in a combat zone by May. Son, Harold, Jr., in Camp Gordon in Johnston, Florida in Sept. 1943. Greeting card from "Senior Class, UHS; with greeting, "Here's Our Gift to One of Uncle Sam's Boys!" Undated. Sgt. C.H. Copeland to Miss Margorie P. Upton of Salem, Massachusetts.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2 id52417
Correspondence
1944 September - November
Scope and Contents
Includes letters from S.S. Wallace, signed "Grampy and Aunt Sally," to Phyllis Strout, letters between Phyllis Strout and Herbert Strout, Vmail from Harold Chipman to Mrs. Herbert Strout and letter from Roy Strout to Herbert Strout, his brother. Private Herbert C. Strout is stationed in Camp Croft, South Carolina. Letters contain family and local news.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3 id52418
Correspondence
1944 December 3 - 23
Scope and Contents
Correspondents are Harold Strout, Phyllis Strout, Herbert Strout's parents and Shirley Strout.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 4 id52419
Correspondence
1944 December 23 - 31
Scope and Contents
Correspondents are Herbert Strout, Phyllis Strout, Roy Strout and Ruth Chipman.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 5 id52420
Correspondence
1945 January
Scope and Contents
Correspondents are Herbert Strout, Phyllis Strout and Mrs. Agnes Strout to her son.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 6 id52421
Correspondence
1945 February-May
Scope and Contents
Private S. P. Wallace (Uncle Phil) to Mrs. Phyllis Strout. He is in a combat zone fighting Germans. Vmail from Herbert Strout to Phyllis and family. He is stationed in Germany.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 7 id52422
Correspondence
1945 June and November
Scope and Contents
Herbert Strout, in Germany, to his wife on February 4, 1946, "we are having court again…this afternoon I am going to go out on a little investigation…" . By March 1946, Herbert writes to his wife that he is tired of arguing by letter and had hoped to return to a happy home, which is not the case. Trouble between his wife and their families. On March 17, 1946, he comments "We got a German General a few days ago that is wanted for war crimes." Other correspondents are Barbara Chipman and Aunt Sally.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 8 id52423
Correspondence
1951-1959
Scope and Contents
Herbert Strout to Private Elwood J. Strout. On envelope: Absent without leave, current address unknown. 1951 T.R. (Tom) Chipman of the United States Air Force, Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi, to his sister, Phyllis Strout. 1959.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 9 id52424
Certificate for Herbert C. Strout, signed by President Harry S. Truman
undated.

id52415

Series 2: Jerry L. Strout Family - Vietnam War

Scope and Contents

Letters from Jerry L. Strout to his parents, sister and brother while serving in Vietnam as a member of the 132nd Assault Support Helicopter Company.

Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 1 id52426
Correspondence
1968 October - December
Scope and Contents
Writes to his sister, mother and father while training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Training exercises and his wish to get mechanical training to work on trucks rather than airplanes.
Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 2 id52427
Correspondence
1969
Scope and Contents
Sends sister a copy of the phonetic alphabet. Training exercises such as running through a gas chamber. Poem by James M. Sweet. March 1969. Tells his location is Vietnam and gives detail about attacks.. Sends price list for Overseas Distribution for Maverick Passenger cars. May 12: "…had three rockets come in…I just rolled over on the floor and under my bed…" "watched B52 attacks on the mountain and HUEY COBRA's gunships…about every night."
Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 3 id52428
Correspondence
1970 January - July
Scope and Contents
In January he is still overseas, but by March 21, stationed at Ft. Carson, Colorado and working in Supply. By June 19, he is back overseas after signing up for a second tour. He is in the 178th and the 132nd, but is trying to stay in the 132nd. July 25 – working in maintenance near Cam Duc.
Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 4 id52429
Correspondence
1970 August
Scope and Contents
Stationed in Vietnam. Takes course in auto mechanics.
Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 5 id52430
Correspondence
1970 September - 1972
Scope and Contents
Begins counting down the days he has remaining in Vietnam. His brother, Terry, joins the army. Has his own maintenance team, which he likes, but he does not enjoy working maintenance. The "lifers" will not let him do anything else. March 1971, he refutes the rumor that he is in Laos. He is still in Vietnam with 80+ days left. April "I take medicine to sleep nights, too…comes in red, white and blue cans…" Most Rev. Paul L. Seitz, Bishop of Kontum in Vietnam requesting donations. Form letter. 1972.
Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 6 id52431
Ephemera
undated
Scope and Contents
Empty envelopes, news clippings, military pay certificates, addresses, notes, postcard and cards.
Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 7 id52432
Military Documents and Forms
1969-1971
Scope and Contents
Clothing and equipment record Geneva Conventions Identification Card (2) Request for Foreign Service (Overseas Assignment) March 23, 1970 PQR Checklist DA Form 41 Work Sheet Identifying Data Assignment and other documents.
Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 8 id52433
Publications
1969
Scope and Contents
"Aviation Digest" "Southern Cross" "The Mark of a Man" about combat arms. "America" "Pacific Stars and Stripes" "The Preventive Maintenance Monthly: Map of Saigon-Cholon "Life in Vietnam" The Weekly News Magazine