Raphael McDermott correspondence, 1942-1945.

ArchivalResource

McDermott, Raphael, 1913-1988. Raphael McDermott correspondence, 1942-1945.

Raphael McDermott correspondence, 1942-1945.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/225081839

Raphael McDermott's collection of correspondence spans just over three years, beginning soon after Raphael's induction into the Army in September of 1942, and ending when he arrived back in the United States in October of 1945. The majority of the correspondence consists of letters and v-mails Raphael had sent to his parents and sister Marie. There are also some letters from his girlfriend, Mabel Brown, to Raphael's family. In addition, there are a few letters from two other correspondents, "Edna" and "Freeman" that seem to have been placed in the same envelopes as Raphael's letters home. It is important to note that in the letters written by Mabel, Edna and Freeman, Raphael is referred to by his nickname, Pat. Raphael's letters provide a detailed and sometimes disturbing account of the reality of war. In letters after the war's end, Raphael chronicles some of the major events of the conflict from a first person perspective, including the Battle of the Bulge. In addition to his many narratives and statements about his experience in Europe, Raphael also writes a great deal about life back on the farm, furnishing information about the day to day activities of a Southern Illinois farming family, as well as insight into their values and ideas.

2.25 linear ft.

Southern Illinois University, Morris Library