Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

James Edwin Spraker Papers, Accession 9096-by, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Acquisition Information

The collection was purchased by the Library on January 16, 1986.

Funding Note

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Scope and Content

The collection contains ca. 133 items, handwritten and V-mail letters, from Private James Edwin Spraker , Battery D, 18th Battalion, Fifth Field Artillery Regiment , to his mother, Mrs. F. H. Spraker , Rural Retreat, Virginia , during his World War II military service in the United States and Europe . There is a single letter from Mrs. Spraker to her son, December 29, 1944, containing local and family news.

Spraker writes from Fort Bragg, North Carolina ; Fort Meade ; Maryland ; New England ; Northern Ireland ; Luxembourg ; France ; Germany ; Czechoslovakia ; and Camp Campbell, Kentucky . In his letters he comments on army life, especially K. P. duty (July 23, 1943) and family news, but for the most part, he assures his mother that he is well and safe. He mentions being disciplined for having returned late to his camp (June 1, 1943); makes reference to a visit by General Dwight D. Eisenhower to his camp June 4, 1944); states that he is a member of General George S. Patton, Jr. 's Third army (September 16, 1944); and mentions his being awarded a Silver Star (April 22, 1945); and his hope of being discharged quickly at the war's conclusion (August 20, 1945). Also present in the collection are two valentines, one of which is signed by Spraker.