John Dean to Ira Fowler 2

Archive

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St. Mary's County Historical Society, Leonardtown, MD

Name/Title

John Dean to Ira Fowler 2

Entry/Object ID

2010.007.0003

Scope and Content

1 letter ; 8"h x 4 7/8"w John Dean wrote Ira Fowler seven letters during World War II. Both men were from the Hollywood, Maryland area and both were serving in the infantry. Dean was in training in Mississippi. Fowler was home in Hollywood waiting to be called up. Their girlfriends were sisters. Both were deeply religious men, members of the Church of the Nazarene. July 24, 1943 The return address on the small cream envelope indicated Dean was a corporal at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. He did not have to pay postage for mailing. The letter was on folded cream paper with an extra sheet inside for a total of six small pages. The text was handwritten. Dean told Fowler he had heard he was leaving for the Army. Dean had been in the hospital for fourteen days with infections in his foot, knee, and back. He worried that he might lose his corporal's stripes by being away from work for so long. He advised Fowler to enjoy the good parts of the Army and live through the parts that were not so good and not to take offense when given unpleasant jobs. He also explained that the country needed soldiers to protect freedom and that there was plenty of room for advancement in the Army. Dean sympathized with having to leave a girlfriend behind, but advised Fowler to be true to her and to God.

Collection

Dean/Fowler Wartime Letters

Archive Items Details

Date(s) of Creation

July 24, 1943

Location

Container

Small Collections, Box 1

Shelf

Rack 17, Shelf 4

Rack

Rack 17

Wall

North wall

Room

Archives 2

Building

Tudor Hall

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Dean, John C.

Person or Organization

Fowler, Ira E.

Person or Organization

Thompson, Naomi