Ward Family Letters Ward Family Letters MSS.16097

Ward Family Letters MSS.16097


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Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
P.O. Box 400110
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
URL: https://small.library.virginia.edu/

Ellen Welch

Repository
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
Identification
MSS.16097
Title
Ward Family Letters 1949-1964; bulk 1950-1953
URL:
https://archives.lib.virginia.edu/ark:/59853/194
Quantity
0.2 Cubic Feet, Small document box, 8 folders of letters
Language
English .

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions

Preferred Citation

Ward Family Letters,1949-1964, bulk 1950-1953, Accession 16097, University of Virginia Special Collections Library

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from Respess Books by the University of Virginia Special Collections Library, on January 8, 2016


Biographical / Historical

Robert P. Ward ("Bobby") joins the Navy and is aboard the U. S. S. Missouri in 1950, and takes courses to become a seamen and quartermaster striker during the Korean War. His mother, Dona E. Ward lives in Richford, New York and is separated from Bobby's father. She has a son David Ward ("Duke") who lives with his wife, Aldine, and son Paul in California. Dona Ward also has a younger son Lawrence "Larry" who has decided to join the Navy and is training at the United States Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois from 1952 to 1953.

Scope and Contents

The Ward Family letters containing less than one document box, approximately 100 letters, and .02 cubic feet consist of letters from Robert P. Ward ("Bobby" or "Bob"), Lawrence ("Larry") Ward, and David ("Duke") Ward and his wife, Aldine, to their mother, Dona E. Ward in Richford, New York. Robert is in the Navy on the U. S. S. Missouri during the Korean War, Lawrence is entering naval training at the United States Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois, and David ("Duke") Ward and his wife Aldine are raising their young children in California. The collection of letters open a window into the life of a divorced mother, and her grown children, two of which are on the verge of adulthood, experiencing life in the Navy during the Korean War. Robert Ward writes on U.S. S. Missouri stationary about his day to day life on the ship. He briefly mentions the two cruises to Europe, a trip to Cuba, and mostly his concerns about his family and his future. While he mentions specific important events such as the Wonsan operation, he does not give any details. He also writes that he is taking courses to improve his situation by becoming a quartermaster striker, but he is basically disappointed with the Navy. He gives advice to his brother in an effort to make his navy experience better than his own. Robert Ward briefly mentions General James Van Fleet, Vice Admiral Charles Turner Joy, the blockade in Wonsan, Korea in December of 1952 and Inchon Harbor, Chinese Nationalists, and comments about "giving the Commies a good run for their money".

Arrangement

Letters from Robert P. Ward,and Lawrence Ward to their mother,Dona E. Ward are arranged chronologically and by correspondent. Family Ward Letters 1949-1964 are in a separate folder and are mostly letters from David and Aldine Ward, son and daughter-in-law of Dona E. Ward.

Container List

Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1
Ward family letters
1949-1964English.
Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 2 MSS 16097
Robert P. Ward (Bobby) to his mother, Dona E. Ward
1950English.
Scope and Contents

U. S. S. Missosuri is called the "Mighty Mo"; description of daily duties on the ship, rammed by a destroyer, spotted a mine; Japanese fishing float; and mention of Vice Admiral Charles Turner Joy

Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 3 MSS 16097
Robert P. Ward to his mother, Dona E. Ward
1951 January-MayEnglish.
Scope and Contents

Bob passes his seaman examination; feels homesick; describes blowing up explosives and shells in Japan; firefighting school; and looking forward to coming home

Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 4 MSS 16097
Robert P. Ward to his mother, Dona E. Ward
1951 June-DecemberEnglish.
Scope and Contents

Leave Japan for Norway and Scotland; mention Cherbourg, France, Cuba, and offshore of Norfolk, Virginia; and an injury affecting his arm and face.

Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 5 MSS 16097
Robert P. Ward to his mother, Dona E. Ward
1952 January-MayEnglish.
Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 6 MSS 16097
Robert P. Ward to his mother, Dona E. Ward
1952 June-DecemberEnglish.
Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 7 MSS 16097
Robert P. Ward to his mother, Dona E. Ward
1953 January-FebruaryEnglish.
Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 8 MSS 16097
Lawrence C. Ward (Larry) to his mother, Dona E. Ward
1952-1953English.