![[logo]](https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/wm.jpg)
Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections
Karen King, SCRC Staff
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Gary Barranger, class of '73 Law '76.
Biographical / Historical
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.
Content Description
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Aeschleman, Leonard R.
- Armstrong, Norm A.
- Arnett, Frank P.
- Beck, Frederick D.
- Cabana, Leonard R.
- Carpenter, Albina
- Carpenter, Avery
- Carpenter, Betty
- Carpenter, Charlotte
- Carpenter, James E.
- Carpenter, James Saylor
- Carpenter, Velma
- Causler, Estelle
- Creager, Arrah
- Gary Alonzo Barranger
- Kenton (Ohio)
- United States--Naval Reserve--Women's Reserve
- United States. Navy--History--World War, 1939-1945
- World War, 1939-1945
- World War, 1939-1945--England--Plymouth.
- World War, 1939-1945--Pacific Area
- World War, 1939-1945--Women
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Aeschleman, Leonard R.
- Armstrong, Norm A.
- Arnett, Frank P.
- Beck, Frederick D.
- Cabana, Leonard R.
- Carpenter, Albina
- Carpenter, Avery
- Carpenter, Betty
- Carpenter, Charlotte
- Carpenter, James E.
- Carpenter, James Saylor
- Carpenter, Paul A.
- Carpenter, Velma
- Causler, Estelle
- Creager, Arrah
- Gary Alonzo Barranger
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Kenton (Ohio)
- United States--Naval Reserve--Women's Reserve
- World War, 1939-1945--England--Plymouth.
Container List
Leonard, U.S. Navy, writes about his experiences in France[?], Rome, and after he's returned home to the States.
Frank serves in the U.S. Army and discusses his experiences in training and Radio School.
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".
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".
Betty's letters often discuss Saylor, Paul's brother [and Betty's husband?], as well as describe how Tarrytown celebrated V-E Day.
Charlotte Carpenter is cousin to Paul A. Carpenter.'s
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.
James E. and Albina Carpenter were the parents of Paul A. Carpenter.
James E. and Albina Carpenter were the parents of Paul A. Carpenter.
James E. and Albina Carpenter were the parents of Paul A. Carpenter.
James E. and Albina Carpenter were the parents of Paul A. Carpenter.
James E. and Albina Carpenter were the parents of Paul A. Carpenter.
James E. and Albina Carpenter were the parents of Paul A. Carpenter.
James Saylor Carpenter (Saylor) is the brother of Paul A. Carpenter.
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.
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.
Nettie and Judd Kellogg were Paul Carpenter's aunt and uncle. Judd Kellogg passed away in the summer of 1945.
Mildred "Millie" Mahan, Yeoman, served the U.S. Navy via through Waves.
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.
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.
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.
The letters from Lieutenant (jg) T.V. Sparrow, B-15 (Comm) discuss friends at home as well as his military experiences.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.