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.
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.
Preferred Citation:
Paul A. Carpenter Letters, 5, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, William and Mary.
Paul A. Carpenter was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during WWII with the rank of Yeoman 3rd Class (Y3c). He was stationed in Great
Lakes, Illinois, Norfolk, Virginia, Plymouth, England, and later Arlington, Virginia. His home residence was Kenton, Ohio.
The Paul A. Carpenter Letters consists of incoming correspondence and Vmail from family and friends. The letters date from
1942-1945, with the bulk written in 1945. Much of the content discusses the home front: the change of seasons, canning berries
and peas, poetry, movies, and new novels such as "Forever Amber". Paul Carpenter's parents, J.E. and Albina Carpenter, sent
local newspaper clippings with their letters, sharing news of other Kenton, Ohio soldiers and sailors and announcements of
marriages, births, and deaths. Paul received letters from several fellow servicemen who describe their experiences (Royal
Fosdick, Leonard Cabana, Hubert Russell, Frank Arnett, and Paul's brother James Saylor Carpenter.) Various writers comment
on V-E Day and express hopes for the capitulation of Japan.
Leonard, U.S. Navy, writes about his experiences in France[?], Rome, and after he's returned home to the States.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 2
Correspondence from Norm A. Armstrong
1945 July 4English
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 3
Correspondence from Frank P. Arnett
1942-1945English
Scope and Contents
Frank serves in the U.S. Army and discusses his experiences in training and Radio School.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 4
Correspondence from Frederick D. Beck
1945 August-SeptemberEnglish
Scope and Contents
Frederick writes of his experiences in the Office of the C.O. and discusses plans for after he leaves the service. The letterhead
is labelled "U.S. Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas".
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 5
Correspondence from Leonard R. Cabana
1945 February-SeptemberEnglish
Scope and Contents
Leonard Cabana, Ylc, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Taussig (DD 746) serves in the Pacific Theater. He is a prolific writer with colorful
descriptions of his personal life and military experiences. He mentions travel through Hawaii, operations in the China Sea,
Camarah Bay, the Philippines, and describes events occurring onboard ship. The content of Leonard's letters regularly refer
to friends whose letters also appear in this collection, particularly "Millie".
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 6
Correspondence from Betty Carpenter
1942-1945English
Scope and Contents
Betty's letters often discuss Saylor, Paul's brother [and Betty's husband?], as well as describe how Tarrytown celebrated
V-E Day.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 7
Correspondence from Charlotte Carpenter
1942-1945English
Biographical / Historical
Charlotte Carpenter is cousin to Paul A. Carpenter.'s
Scope and Contents
Charlotte, usually signed as Mrs. O. F. Carpenter, resides in Rochester, Michigan. The content of her letters detail home
life, canning tomatoes, the weather, and her local travels.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 8
Correspondence from James E. and Albina Carpenter
1942 SeptemberEnglish
Biographical / Historical
James E. and Albina Carpenter were the parents of Paul A. Carpenter.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 9
Correspondence from James E. and Albina Carpenter
1942 OctoberEnglish
Biographical / Historical
James E. and Albina Carpenter were the parents of Paul A. Carpenter.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 10
Correspondence from James E. and Albina Carpenter
1944 February-MayEnglish
Biographical / Historical
James E. and Albina Carpenter were the parents of Paul A. Carpenter.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 11
Correspondence from James E. and Albina Carpenter
1944 June-DecemberEnglish
Biographical / Historical
James E. and Albina Carpenter were the parents of Paul A. Carpenter.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 12
Correspondence from James E. and Albina Carpenter
1945 February-MarchEnglish
Biographical / Historical
James E. and Albina Carpenter were the parents of Paul A. Carpenter.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 13
Correspondence from James E. and Albina Carpenter
1945 April-AugustEnglish
Biographical / Historical
James E. and Albina Carpenter were the parents of Paul A. Carpenter.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 14
Correspondence from J. Saylor Carpenter
1942-1945English
Biographical / Historical
James Saylor Carpenter (Saylor) is the brother of Paul A. Carpenter.
Scope and Contents
Saylor served in the U.S. Navy and writes about his experiences. He serves in the Pacific. The September 4, 1944 letter concerns
his location overseas and a sentence was excised by censors.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 15
Correspondence from Velma and Avery Carpenter
1944 March-OctoberEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 16
Correspondence from Estelle Causler
1945 July-AugustEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 17
Correspondence from Arrah Creager
1942-1945English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 1
Correspondence from James P. Dass
1944 September 20English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 2
Correspondence from C. "Doc" Eads
1944-1945English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 3
Correspondence from Mary A. Finney
1945 February 25English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 4
Correspondence from Royal H. Fosdick
1945 June-AugustEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 5
Correspondence from Richard H. Garvin
1945 March-MayEnglish
Scope and Contents
CWO Richard H. Garvin, W-2111860, serves in the U.S. Army in Salon, France. His letter briefly mention his travels to Paris,
Brussels, the Ardenne Forests, and Luxembourg.
Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 6
Correspondence from G. Robert Grant
circa 1945 AugustEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 7
Correspondence from E. B. Griffith
1944 March 26English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 8
Correspondence from Bob Hazelhurst
1945 JuneEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 9
Correspondence from Lester Hensley
1942 OctoberEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 10
Correspondence from Judd and Nettie Kellogg
1942-1945English
Biographical / Historical
Nettie and Judd Kellogg were Paul Carpenter's aunt and uncle. Judd Kellogg passed away in the summer of 1945.
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 11
Correspondence from Ruth Kellogg and Red Kellogg
1942 July-OctoberEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 12
Correspondence from Mary Leasure
1942-1945English
Biographical / Historical
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 13
Correspondence from Clifford F. McClaid
circa 1945 AprilEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 14
Correspondence from Mildred "Millie" Mahan
1944-1945English
Biographical / Historical
Mildred "Millie" Mahan, Yeoman, served the U.S. Navy via through Waves.
Scope and Contents
Millie, First class Yeoman, served in Waves. She worked in Arlington, Virginia, and her March 5, 1945 letter discusses her
views on women serving in the military. The May 8, 1945 letter discusses the reaction in Washington, D.C. to V-E Day. However,
much of her content relates the ups and downs of her love life.
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 15
Correspondence from A. L. Meares, Jr.
1945 June 7English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 16
Correspondence from Paul Miethker
1944 February-MarchEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 17
Correspondence from Robert B. Morris
1945 September 2English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 18
Correspondence from Hazel Neville
1944-1945English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 19
Correspondence from Dolores Painter
1944 April-JulyEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 20
Correspondence from C. A. Pate
1945 April 11English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 21
Correspondence from Coder Bernard Pond
1945 April-JuneEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 22
Correspondence from Matty Rendina
1945 August 14English
Scope and Contents
Mattie writes his brief letter on August 14, 1945, "V-J Day", acknowleding the news of victory, while stationed at U. S. Naval
Training Center, Bainbridge.
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 23
Correspondence from Hubert W. Russell
1942 DecemberEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 24
Correspondence from Kirk Russell
1944 February 22English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 25
Correspondence from Eda M. Rutledge
1942 October 27English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 26
Correspondence from Fred Schumacher
1944 May 4English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 27
Correspondence from John Sheldon
1942-1944English
Mixed Materials Box: 2 folder: 28
Correspondence from John Sheldon
1945 February-SeptemberEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 3 folder: 1
Correspondence from Nina Shull
1942-1945English
Scope and Contents
The content of Nina's letters spans life at home, the weather, the election of Roosevelt, the shortage of paper, and discussion
of popular books. She often included newspaper clippings of comics and war-related articles.
Mixed Materials Box: 3 folder: 2
Correspondence from Thornton V. Sparrow, Jr.
1945 June-AugustEnglish
Scope and Contents
The letters from Lieutenant (jg) T.V. Sparrow, B-15 (Comm) discuss friends at home as well as his military experiences.
Mixed Materials Box: 3 Folder: 3
Correspondence from Charles Steiner
1944 September 29English
Mixed Materials Box: 3 folder: 4
Correspondence from E. J. Tea
1942-1945English
Mixed Materials Box: 3 folder: 5
Correspondence from Naomi Trumpfheller
1944 March-MayEnglish
Mixed Materials Box: 3 folder: 6
Correspondence from Evelyn J. Werking
1945 January-AugustEnglish
Scope and Contents
Evelyn served in the Navy Department, Bureau of Supplies and Accounts, in Washington, D.C., as part of Waves. Her letters
discuss mutual friends, taking leave, and her trip to California.
Mixed Materials Box: 3 folder: 7
Correspondence from Kenneth V. Zahn
1945 April-MayEnglish
Scope and Contents
Kenneth Zahn, U.S. Navy, discusses their previous shared station of Plymouth, England. He writes that he stands a rugged four
hour watch and is "still traveling around the Continent". One of his letters is on stationary with German heading.
Mixed Materials Box: 3 folder: 8
Correspondence from Harold W. Zorn
1942, 1945English
Scope and Contents
Harold Zorn, who served on the U.S.S. Hubbard (DE-211), shares news of their mutual friends. He mentions having accomplished
a mission that "got" an enemy sub.
Mixed Materials Box: 3 folder: 9
Correspondence from unknown persons
1942-1945English
Scope and Contents
The folder contains letters from unknown persons including "Lavina", "Marilyn", "Van", and "Dat" whose letter was written
on V-E Day.
Two letters are signed "Vivian", a library school student, which may be the same Vivian mentioned in E.B. Griffith's letter.
Mixed Materials Box: 3 folder: 10
Official letters
1942 August-SeptemberEnglish
Scope and Contents
The contents are official letters that accompanied new identification cards for Paul Carpenter. also included is an absent
General Election ballot, dated September 30, 1942, for the state of Ohio.
![[logo]](https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/wm.jpg)