University of Oklahoma Libraries Western History Collections

Robert Arthur Clem and James F. Clem Collection

Soldiers. Correspondence (1943-1945) of Sgt. Robert Arthur Clem and Sgt. James F. Clem of Shawnee, Oklahoma, to their relatives during World War II. The letters recount the brothers’ military experiences in the South Pacific, Okinawa, the Philippines, and U.S. bases. The collection is contained in one scrapbook and two flap folders. All removable material has been separated from the scrapbook and photocopies made of all newspaper clippings. Box 1 One Scrapbook Containing the Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem and newspaper clippings. Folder: 1. Newspaper Clippings. “Greetings from a Soldier” by S/Sgt. Jerry Chester Rus(?) (circa 1943). “Winner of DFC” (Distinguished Flying Cross) Sgt. Aurben C. Barnes (c. 1943). “Father…” by Pvt. Hubert Grove (c. 1943). “Poet’s…” by Mary Lee Park Payson (c. 1943). “(?) L. Speaker Jr., USNR, died in plane crash” (c. 1943). “Mother’s Prayer” by Ruth Bratcher (c. 1943). “Gets Assignment” Lieut. John C. Peters, Quantico, VA (c. 1943). “Given Purple Heart” Pfc. Jack M. Dodson, Marine Corps (c. 1943). “Our Pantless Joe” (c. 1943). “A Soldier…” by Velma Adamson, a teen (c. 1943). “Famed Fortress Due,” “Hell’s Angels” combat crew (c. 1943). “Flak Jacket Saves Life” S/Sgt. Jerome J. Bajenski, Flying Fortress operator (c. 1943). “My Blue-Jacket ‘Jerry’” by Miss Thelma B. Washington (c. 1943).

“Junior’s Fine, Pop!” Pfc. Johnny Fendrych, tank driver (c. 1943). “Like Father-Like Son?” C. S. W., Shawnee (c. 1943). “Amphibious Chief” Francis W. Rockwell, chief of Pacific fleet’s amphibious forces (c.1943). “Lost in Daylight Raid” Brig. Gen. Nathan Forrest, great grandson of the Confederate general of the same name (c. 1943). “Now a Bombardier” Robert G. Evatt, Childress army flying school (c. 1943). “City Corporal in India is Injured” Cpl. E. C. Crosslin (c. 1943). “Held in Tokyo” Pfc. Emanuel F. Spoon, Japanese prison camp, internment camp (c. 1943). A Poem, by Matt English (c. 1943). “Medal is Given Black” Staff Sgt. Roy L. Black, Flying Fortress (c.1943). “A Letter to Mother and Dad” by Howard R. Morris, from the Pacific (c.1943). “NAAF Head in Shawnee” Comdr. Wesley J. Wicks, USNR, Shawnee Navy auxiliary Air Facility. “So Long, Soldier!” Robert Murray, 6 yrs. old, and the canine branch of the armed services. “City Radio-Gunner Learns His Geography First Hand” by Joy Turner, Jakie Hill, Admiral William Halsey, ‘dumbo hops,’ Bougainville and Ballale. “Brotherly Greeting” Lieutenants Jack & Leroy Tennyson, South Pacific. A poem about a soldier’s experiences in New Guinea. “Sole Survivor” Col. Walter Bayler, Wake Island. “Let Freedom Ring” by Joseph Auslander. “Where is Daddy?” by Billie Jo Poole, age 13. “Darling Dorothy” by Elmer Peabody. “I Wonder” by Noma Renfro, Konawa.

“My ‘Bud’” by Fanny Lou Riddle, Tecumseh. “Assigned to Duty” Pvt. Cora Madden, WAC training center in Iowa (c. 1944). “Home From Seas” Jewel A. Brooks, S 2/c (c. 1944). “Contentment” Ruth Bratcher, Maud (c. 1944). Anonymous Poem about life as a soldier (c. 1944). “Poem” by Jack E. Taylor (c. 1944). “Ensign Jones Promoted to Lieutenant” Rosalind Miriam Jones, Women’s Reserve (c. 1944). “DFC Awarded” First Lieut. Homer R. McClure. 2. Newspaper Clippings. “My Mother” by La Vada Tinker (c. 1944). “Draped in Red, White, and Blue” by Mrs. T. A. Lamline (c. 1944). “The Flag” by Elizabeth Little, Tecumseh (c. 1944). “School of Tomorrow” by Wendell V. Cossey, a soldier (c. 1944). “…Old Man” by Lex Grubbs of South Carolina (c. 1944). Poem about the U.S. Marines, by Paul Baker of Asher (c. 1944). “‘Arky’ Continues to be Sports Star” R. L. Dyer Golden Glove Champion boxer (c. 1943-44). “Plant Plans its ‘Do More Than Before’ Drive” 5th War Loan Drive, War Bonds (c. 1943-44). “Local Man Gets Silver Star” Lieut. Samual P. Starrett (c.1943-44). “City Boy Guns for Germans” Sgt. Leonard Click, Flying Fortress crew of the 8th AAF (c. 1943-44). “Greetings From a Soldier” by a Soldier (c. 1943-44). “Ensign in USNR” Billie Ray Maynard (c. 1943-44).

“POW Camp Victim” Pvt. Pete Junk, Mukden prison camp (c.1943-44). “Government Issue” about living a GI life (c. 1943-44). “Gunner on B-17” Staff Sgt. Roy L Black jr (c. 1944). “A Vacancy” by Noma Renfre, Konawa (c. 1944). “A Returning Soldier” (c. 1944). “War Reporting Not Glamorous Work, Correspondent Asserts” by J. Norman Lodge in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. “Attends Brother’s Graduation” Captain Sas and brother Lieut. Julius J. Sas. “Mrs. Eva Myton, Resident Here 22 Years, Dies.” “Young Tom Edison II” Monty Powell a 14 year-old railroad agent-operator. “Gets Promotion” Ensign Jim McClure. “Auxiliary Gowder” Aux. 1st Class Thanya B. Gowder. “RAF Hero Tells Story of Island” by Flight-Lt. Paul Brennan, Malta. “Marine Hero, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient” U.S. Marine Platoon Sgt. John Basilonem, or “Manila John.” “Farewall Wave for the WAACS” bombardier school. “Veteran of Pacific War Visits Here” CPO Ivan Stewart. “State Men Get Together” American Red Cross Service Club. “This Represents Lots of Scalps” Lieut. Ernest Childers, 45th division infantryman, and Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. “McCallister Succumbs to Heart Attack” Mark Emory McCallister, abstracter. “They’re Gunning for Axis” Pfc. Sam Lincicome and Pfc Joe A. Caylor. “Buddies of City Youth, Killed on New Georgia, Write Parents” Harley Seaton. “In Memory of Father and Mother” by Andre J. Hawkins, Co. C. 8th La. Cavalry, C.S.A., Civil War.

“City Man Scores for Allies” by Fred Grove, First Lieut. Perry S. McTee, “Geronimo” bomber. “Shawnee, Earlsboro Gunners Operating with Bomber Team” Flying Fortress “Hunyak” (c.1943). “Our Native Son” by Laura M. Bucy (c.1943). “Navy Man Seeks Address of Two Shawnee Boys” (c. 1943). “Killed in Action” Corp. Lawrence C. Sparkman (c. 1943). “Receives Wings” Second Lieut. James E. Bower (c. 1943). “Pacific Veteran” First Lieut. Leroy W. Tennyson (c. 1943). “May He Rest In Peace” by Cpl. Charles A. McGrath (c. 1943). “In V-12 School” Leonard George Wray (c. 1943). “Navy Lieutenant” Lieut. John S. Malahy Jr. (c. 1943). “Our Neighbor” by Miss Nora Johnson (c. 1943). “The Red Cross” by Dorothy Key (c. 1943). “That’s When I’m Thinking of You” by W.H. Little (c.1943). “The Night I Met You” by W.H. Little (c. 1943). “Sailor Lived in Bushes and Caves on Guam; Escaped After 31 Months” by George F. Horne, Chief Radioman George Ray Tweed, Guam (c. July 15, 1944). “Lost on Guam” Cpl. Buel Bray. “Ending of the Day” by Jesse Ketner, S 2-c. “Pacific Veteran” S 1-c Hal G. Awtrey. “Kind Deeds” by Mrs. N. E. Rider (c. 1943). “My Native Land” by Mrs. Leo Smith (c. 1943). “Shoe Salesman” by Mary Etta Isenhower (c. 1943). “There’s A Telephone Directory in Heaven” by Mrs. Mildred Harper (c. 1944).

“That Old Gang of Mine” by Elaine Thompson (c. 1944). “My Brother” by Margaret Louise Smith, age 9 (c. 1944). “Submarine Sailor” Albert E. Lewis, seaman 2nd class. “Prisoner of War” Private Kenneth (Jack) Barnes. “That’s Our Flag” by Tommy Lauderdale, Shawnee (c. 1943). “My Soldier Brother” by Jackie Roe (c. 1943). “A Few Thousand Men” by Pfc. Junior Sebourn, in the South Pacific (c. 1943). 3. Newspaper Clippings. “‘Geronimo’ Brings City Flier Back” 2nd Lieut. Perry S. McTee, bomber, Focke Wulf (c. 1943). “Our Boys” by Delores Frazier (c. 1943). “Blazing Sea Witnessed by Shawnee Boy: L.D. Williams Finds Antigua Life Unusual” by Joy Turner (c. 1943). “The Natives” article (c. 1943). “Receives Wings” 2nd Lieut. Jack R. Wallace (c. 1943). “Remember Me” by Pfc. Johnny Furlough, “Somewhere in England” (c. 1943). “Vorhes Gets Wings” Wesley B. Vorhes. “In Preflight School” A/C Raymond Kenneth Liner. “Smiles for Pop” H.B. Gleason and Dennis Baird. “Hi!” by Mrs. Cecil Isenhower (c. 1943). “My Sailor Dad” by Billie Joe Frose, Age 12 (c. 1943). “Wounded” Tech. Sgt. Leonard W. Click, turret gunner (c. 1943). “Wasn’t Even Scared” Poem by Sgt. Charles K. Groom (c. 1943). “Washington” by Vonnie McCurr(?) (c. 1943).

“Hope” a letter to the editor from a “war wife,” and a copy of the poem “Wait for Me” by K. Simonov, a Russian (c. 1943). “A Prayer” by Pfc. Dee R. Willoughby, in Italy (c. 1943). “Death Ends Pilot Activity for McClure” 1st Lieut. Homer R. McClure, bomber (c. 1943). “Shawnee Birdman” Lieut. (?) W. Combs (c. 1943). “He Shows ‘Em How” Capt. Max Rogers. “SOPAC’S Ace” 1st Lieut. Robert M. Hanson (c. 1943). “Radio Operator” Pfc. James Cullins (c.1942-1943). “Hero ‘Retired’ at 16” Staff Sgt. Clifford Wherley, joined at 14 (c. 1942-1943). “Prayer” by Robert Knesek Jr., stationed on the east coast (c. 1943). “Missing in Action” Lieut. Edward N. Jones (c. 1943). “Doggy Dodge” A dog trained to dodge shell fragments (c.1942). “Shawnee Flier Crash Victim” Ensign P. L. Speaker, Jr (c.1942). “A Returning Soldier” by Jean Ramsey (c.1942). “Dearest Darlin” by Mrs. Auda Mae Savage (c.1942). “Coleman gets Wings” Lieut. John D. Coleman (c.1942). “Wayman in Ireland” Staff Sgt. Glenn E. Wayman (c.1942). “Song of the Weary Soldier” by Private R. T. Burton (c.1942). “Watson Promoted” Lieut. Philip A. Watson (c. 1942). “Graduated” Ensign Louis Abner Brown (c. 1942). “Former City Man is Cited for Sub Work” Master Sgt. C. R. Herring (c.1942). “City Soldier Jap Prisoner” Robert M. Williams, Corregidor (c.1942). “Prisoner of War” Pfc. George M. Dowd, Corregidor (c.1942).

“Officer Candidate” Staff Sgt. James T. Jackson (c.1942). “Prisoner of War” Pfc. B. J. Larch-Miller Jr., Philippines (c.1942). 4. Newspaper Clippings. Poem sent to the paper by Harold L. Taylor (c. 1943). “Memorial Day, 1943… Day of Remembering” poem by Joseph Auslander. “Our Own Will Rogers” poem by Chastina Ferguson, concerns Will Rogers’ death (c. 1943). “Tribute” poem by Mamie Campbell, concerns Will Rogers’ death (c. 1943). “In Memoriam” poem by Ednya McLaughlin, deals with Will Rogers’ death (c. 1943). “Triplets May Never See Their Daddy” Cpl. Herbert Bachant. “S-Sgt David E. Hardin Lost on POW Ship in October” ’44, 1,755 POW killed when their ship was sunk by submarine action. “Dale Soldier Has No Doubts of What German Is War Guilty” Sgt. H. L. Durbin Jr., Buchenwald. “City Captain Helps Check Jap Fanatics” Capt. Dallas D. Thomas, Okinawa. “In Memory of Dad” poem by Pfc. Lester King, Germany. “My Dad” poem by Irwin H. Townsend Jr., Patton’s 3rd army in Germany. “On Leave” MoMM 1-c C. C. Kinkade. “Our Boys in Service” poem by Walter E. Niles. “Roosevelt Dead!” poem by Rudolph N. Hill. “In Pacific” RM 3-c Charles Wayne Warren, Mindanao. “Shawnee Officer Receives Award for Work in Italy” Lieut. James J. Vessells. “Shawnee Marine Gave His Life Holding Key Position on Guam” Cpl. Buel Bray. “Mom Still Has Job to Do, Son!” Cpl. Joseph C. Bishop.

“Serving Others” poem by Walter F. Niles. “Together Soon” Brothers Sgt, C. J. Crosslin and M-Sgt. E. C. Crosslin, Jr. “To Fight and Win for Dad” poem by Sidney J. Phillips. “The Marines Will Do It Again” poem by Pfc. Victor B. Napier, 25th Div., Pacific. “Thunderhead” picture of painting by Ila McAfee. “Parents Receive Son’s Medal” Lieut. Jack Tennyson. “Medals Awarded Missing Airman Sent to Family” S-Sgt. E.J. Phillips (c. 1944). “Springtime in Oklahoma” poem by Jane E. Davis. “They Wait” poem by Jane E. Davis. “Sailor in Pacific Gets Home to See Wife Before Death” Aubrey and Grace Arnold. “In Combat” PhM 2-c Isom Ritchie, USCG. “In Hawaii” WAVES arrive in Pearl Harbor. “The Cry of the Wounded Soldier” poem by Rev. C. M. Bridges. “Shawnee, Paden Men Free” Pvt. Clyde Fultz (June 26, 1945). “Tinker Field Sunset” poem by Susan Saunders. “Officer Brothers Home After Service in Two War Theaters” 1st Lieut. Paul Hinchee and Major R. L. Hinchee. “A Soldier’s Dog” a poem. “A Soldier Boy” poem by Laura M. Bucy. “Poem” a poem by Mrs. Jack H. Lambeth. “Sing Me to Sleep” poem by Pvt. Arthur D. Hendricks. “Mother” poem by Arlene Noble, age 11. “Tattered Old Glory Returns” Col. Delbert Ausmus, Corregidor, Bilibid prison, Manila. “Former Marine Invents Baby Feeder” Alan D. Bloom.

“A Happy Reunion” S 1-c William Bingham. “City Given Room to Grow-Limits Moved 8,770 Miles” Capt. Bill Cutlip, Guam. “In Typhoon” Cpl. Norman Ledford. “Bronze Star to City Man” CWO Alton W. Moore. “To My Brothers” poem by Mrs. Floyd Cash. 5. Miscellaneous items related to Robert Arthur Clem. Honorable Discharge Certificate for Robert Arthur Monroe Clem Jr. “For Immediate Release” document for Arthur Clem. Full-page photocopies of the scrapbook pages. 6. Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem. October 8, 1942: Great Lakes, Illinois. Chicago, new barracks, physical, 11 cents/pack cigarettes. October 16, 1942: Great Lakes, Illinois. Long distance phone call, vaccinations. October 22, 1942: Great Lakes, Illinois. K.P. duty. October 25, 1942: Great Lakes, Illinois. Recipe for toffee squares. October 28, 1942: Great Lakes, Illinois. K.P. duty. May have a dance. November 16, 1942: Great Lakes, Illinois. Naval training station. Outgoing unit. November 20, 1942: Great Lakes, Illinois. Moved to nicer living quarters. November 30, 1942:Great Lakes, Illinois. Needs his watch and a pillowcase. n.d.: Great Lakes, Illinois. Had to shovel snow, sent a money order, 6 hour work days. December 2, 1942: A returned Western Union telegram to Mrs. A.B. Clem. December 7, 1942: Collection of souvenir Milwaukee postcards. December 7, 1942: Waukegan, Illinois. Asks if his grandma is sick.

December 8, 1942: Great Lakes, Illinois. Warmer weather. December 12, 1942: Great Lakes, Illinois. Cold again, lots of snow. Working in the Ships company for the Lieutenant. December 18, 1942: Great Lakes, Illinois. Air mail. Asks about his brother Jimmy. 7. Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem. January 1, 1943: Great Lakes, Illinois. Messenger watch duty. January 7, 1943: Great Lakes, Illinois. Madison, WI picture postcard. January 10, 1943: Great Lakes, Illinois. Received cookies. Going to visit Milwaukee. January 19, 1943: Great Lakes, Illinois. 7 feet of snow. January 23, 1943: Great Lakes, Illinois. Jimmy’s birthday. January 23, 1943: Great Lakes, Illinois. Shipping school. Went to see The Ink Spots. Gives Jimmy advice. February 1, 1943: Great Lakes, Illinois. Visited Milwaukee. Air mail versus sending it “free.” February 12, 1943: Dearborn Station, Chicago, IL. Picture postcard of Chicago and a picture postcard of Oakland and Berkeley, CA. February 13, 1943: Kansas City, MO. Kansas City, KS picture postcard. February 15, 1943: Arizona postcard letting his mother know he is in transit. February 15, 1943: Nudles, California. “Sweethearts of the Desert” postcard. February 16, 1943: San Francisco, CA. Alcatraz. Pay schedule. Will be assigned to a ship. March 7, 1943: San Francisco, CA. Paying back debts, and wants to pay to get his brother’s teeth fixed. March 8, 1943: San Francisco, CA. Found out his Dad has pneumonia. March 10, 1943: San Francisco, CA. Empty envelope. March 19, 1943: Alameda, CA. Treasure Island. Transferred into “Commando” duty, and explains what it is. Contains a temporary liberty pass card.

March 26, 1943: Alameda, CA. Started an allotment. Going to sing at the base theater. April 6, 1943: Alameda, CA. Went to a rifle range, so that he would fire a gun before going overseas. May 1, 1943: San Francisco, CA. Navy Zoomers vs. Oklahoma A&M 1944 football tickets. May 21, 1943: San Francisco, CA. Hasn’t heard from anyone in months, and wants to know what is happening. May 29, 1943: San Francisco, CA. Received 16 letters yesterday. May 31, 1943: San Francisco, CA. Empty envelope. June 12, 1943: South Pacific. Frustrated with mail service. Bought some gliders for his brother. June 13, 1943: South Pacific. Met 4 guys from his hometown. June 15, 1943: Has to get newspaper from the News & Star office. June 20, 1943: South Pacific. Signal flags. June 23, 1943: South Pacific. Asks about family news, and will pay for his brothers season pass. June 30, 1943: Mess cook duty. Radio in his compartment and stations. July 5, 1943: Hasn’t heard from many people for awhile. Will help his mom wash clothes when he gets home. July 13, 1943: Fish story. Mess cook. Aviation Overhaul Navy. 8. Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem. July 15, 1943: Empty envelope. July 19, 1943: Allotment. July 22, 1943: Checking in with his mom, and asking about people. July 25, 1943: Some of the boys caught 60 lbs of tuna fish.

July 27, 1943: Letter to his brother. Arthur tells Jimmy to take care of his teeth, because fillings hurt. August 17, 1943: Aviation Overhaul Div. 4 Navy 140. Items he needs. August 19, 1943: Empty envelope. August 20, 1943: Met some more Shawnee guys. August 21, 1943: Asks for Mom to send him more noodles. August 21, 1943: Letter to his brother. Explains why he is fighting in the war, and gives his brother more advice. August 25, 1943: Receiving the paper more often, not much to buy for gifts in the South Pacific. August 31, 1943: When he gets back to the States he should get 30 days of leave. September 9, 1943: Wants pictures of everyone. Misses his mom’s fried chicken. Includes 5 layaway slips for C.R. Anthony Co. September 17, 1943: Heard his brother is smoking, and he gets upset about it. September 22, 1943: Met more friends from high school. Wants Jim to go to the Dentist. September 30, 1943: Upset about Jim’s smoking. September 30, 1943: Saw the movie The Human Comedy starring Mickey Rooney. Reminds him of Jimmy. October 12, 1943: Checking in. The guys in his division all like fried chicken. October 15, 1943: Letter to his brother. Building a boat. Going to the dentist and the importance of learning how to brush your teeth. October 24, 1943: Asks about Jimmy. Sends $25 to his mom. Doesn’t want his mom to worry. October 29, 1943: Listening to music reminds him of home. November 2, 1943: Jim went to the fair. Discusses his dad’s health, and a fellow serving with him whose dad passed away while he was overseas. November 3, 1943: Eating Navy food overseas.

November 4, 1943: How being at war overseas has changed his perspective on life. November 7, 1943: Says he will probably be overseas another 18 months. November 12, 1943: Letting the family know he is doing well. November 18, 1943: Bought a phonograph. Talks about Christmas. November 20, 1943: Empty envelope. November 28, 1943: Wants some records including Steel Guitar Ray by Bob Wills. December 3, 1943: Sea Scouts. Christmas gifts. December 16, 1943: Canceling allotment. Thanksgiving overseas. Salary. December 18, 1943: Letter to his grandmother. Talks about his prayers. December 19, 1943: Sending his mother money to take the family’s clothes to the laundry. Asks about how everyone is doing. December 26, 1943: Christmas overseas. Asking about Jim, and how he is doing in school. Arthur does not want Jim to get into trouble like he did. 9. Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem. January 8, 1944: Christmas on duty overseas. Radio. January 12, 1944: Homesick. January 15, 1944: Trying to convince his mom to take his brother to the dentist. January 18, 1944: Certification letter for a package going to the U.S. from a war zone. January 20, 1944: Talks about high school, and about his “girls.” January 25, 1944: Talks about home. January 30, 1944: Met a girl from Bristow, OK working for the Red Cross. Souvenirs. February 6, 1944: South Pacific. Writing to let his mom know he is okay. February 8, 1944: South Pacific. Allotment. Sending Jim a homemade belt. February 17, 1944: Allotment. Writes twice a week. Fried chicken.

February 19, 1944: Will try to grow a watermelon. Plans when he gets out. February 27, 1944: Remembers being in plays at home. Discuss money. February 29, 1944: Talks to his mom about their family. March 5, 1944: Red Cross vs. Salvation Army. March 6, 1944: Doesn’t want his friend to join the Army. March 13, 1944: Will finish school when he gets home. March 17, 1944: Had to wash his hammock and sack. Hasn’t heard from his friend Jim. March 27, 1944: Talks about his friend Bill joining the marines. March 30, 1944: Will have his picture made. Asks if his mom likes V-mail or not. April 5, 1944: Describes food he can get. April 12, 1944: Watermelon seeds are doing better than he thought they would. Air mail may be faster than V-mail. April 21, 1944: Talks about learning to dance and playing basketball. Allotment. April 24, 1944: Reactions to news that his father is not well. April 29, 1944: Sprained his ankle playing basketball. Watermelons growing well. April 29, 1944: 8 p.m. Reaction to news that his dad is feeling better. 10. Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem. May 14, 1944: Mother’s Day poem. May 15, 1944: Air raids. Asks about Jimmy and Bill. May 17, 1944: Allotment. Reaction to news one of his friends may join the army. May 19, 1944: Talks about his dad, and setting up a bank account. May 24, 1944: Basketball, souvenirs, and plans to write. May 26, 1944: Asks if Bill is homesick, and about a suit he sent home. May 31, 1944: New Hebrides Island. Tells his mom to stop working. Damp weather.

June 6, 1944: Father’s Day letter. June 7, 1944: Talks about Bill getting out of the Marines. Watermelon patch almost ready. June 8, 1944: Empty envelope. June 9, 1944: Weather. Asks about Jim. June 12, 1944: Talks about food he wants to eat when he gets home. June 21, 1944: Had homemade ice cream that he and his friends made. June 24, 1944: New Hebrides. Hoping to be home before Christmas. Santa Fe Railroad ticket jacket. June 29, 1944: Writes about receiving bad news about his grandmother. July 4, 1944: Talks about how serving and getting older changes one’s outlook on life. July 8, 1944: Talks about why he sends his mom money and not his dad. He may be overseas longer than he thought. When he gets home he will get the “Pulley Bone” from the chicken not Jim. July 10, 1944: Received some pictures from different girls. Asks about Jim. July 23, 1944: Wants to know about a girl’s wedding, and is going to have more pictures made. July 26, 1944: Sent his mom a bond. 11. Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem. August 1, 1944: Talks about how the newly instituted pay system has kept him from being paid. August 5, 1944: Writing to let his mom know he is okay. August 15, 1944: Got the cake and the chicken his mother sent him. August 23, 1944: Doesn’t know when he will be home. August 24, 1944: Wants to save enough money to buy his grandmother’s tombstone. August 31, 1944: Describes eating at a French restaurant.

August 31, 1944: Talks about receiving the cookies his mom sent, but that another guy ate them before he had any. September 3, 1944: Had some more pictures taken. September 10, 1944: Sent his mom some foreign money, and expresses that he doesn’t think it will be too long until he is home. September 15, 1944: Wants his mom to send more fried chicken to him, but through his friend L.E. Tyree. So if he isn’t there when it arrives L.E. can have it. September 17, 1944: One of his friends is leaving to go back home. September 25, 1944: Will send some money for his mother to buy his brother some new clothes. Also, contains a postcard that Arthur’s friend Ben sent him. September 29, 1944: Discusses mail system, when he thinks he will be home, and interest in hearing his brother Jim play the trumpet. October 1, 1944: Will send some more foreign money home and a copy of the new picture he had taken. October 2, 1944: Talks about how he wants things to be when he gets home. October 4, 1944: Empty envelope. December 8, 1944: Richmond, CA. Spending Christmas at Walter and Irene’s which is near where he is stationed. December 22, 1944: Letting family know he is still in the States. San Diego, CA postcard. December 26, 1944: Will be stationed in San Diego for more training. December 27, 1944: Checking in with his mom. 12. Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem. January 9, 1945: Empty envelope. January 11, 1945: Official letter from E.R. Finney, the Legal Officer for the Commanding Officer of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Amphibious Forces Training Command, letting Arthur’s mother know that Arthur surrendered himself.

January 15, 1945: San Diego, CA. Calms his mother’s worries about some letters she received from the Navy about his going AWOL. January 18, 1945: Went AWOL for 10 days and didn’t get in trouble. January 21, 1945: San Diego, CA. Asks about the movie Going My Way, and about trying to phone home. January 26, 1945: Coronado, CA. About writing letters and moving to a new base. January 29, 1945: San Diego, CA picture postcard. January 31, 1945: Coronado, San Diego, CA. Health problems. Busy. February 1, 1945: Coronado, San Diego, CA. Telephone center. Fined for going AWOL. February 6, 1945: Coronado, CA. Broke. May be going overseas again. Eye is better. February 15, 1945: Coronado, CA. Red Cross. Getting liberty, and reason for going AWOL. February 20, 1945: Coronado, CA. Writes about keeping in contact with people. February 22, 1945: Coronado, CA. YMCA. Gets headaches from being out in boats all day. Training. Can’t wait for war to end, so he can go back to school. February 24, 1945: Coronado, CA. Fine will paid fully by April. February 26, 1945: Coronado, CA. Needs to borrow money to pay off fine. Includes a change of address form. February 28, 1945: Coronado, CA. It is cold in the barracks and cameras are not allowed, it is “like a prison camp.” March 5, 1945: Coronado, CA. Weather. Billie his girlfriend. March 7, 1945: Coronado, CA. Sold leather jacket to pay debts. Allotment. Navy time. March 14, 1945: Coronado, CA. U.S.S. American Legion. Will be put in an outgoing unit. March 16, 1945: Coronado, CA. Mess Hall. Thoughts about war. Made up with Billie. March 22, 1945: San Francisco, CA. Writing to let everyone know he is okay.

13. Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem. April 2, 1945: Coronado, CA. Muster. Transfer. April 5, 1945: Coronado, CA. Empty envelope. April 7, 1945: Coronado, CA. Muster with gear. Phone calls to Billie. April 10, 1945: Letter to let his mom know he arrived safely. April 13, 1945: Didn’t want to go back overseas. Roosevelt’s death. May marry Billie when the war is over. April 15, 1945: Lights out. Hospital bracelet. April 19, 1945: Hawaii. Checking in. April 25, 1945: Wants this to be the last time he is sent overseas. April 25, 1945: Writing to say he won’t be able to write again for awhile. April 26, 1945: Wants to open a new bank account, and to have his camera. May 2, 1945: His letter writing schedule. May 7, 1945: At sea. Washing dishes. Mess Cook. May 8, 1945: Saw a friend at the beach. May 9, 1945: Moving a lot, so it is hard to write and receive mail. May 9, 1945: Letter to Jim from Arthur asking about Billie. May 10, 1945: War is over in Germany, but he will not be home soon. May 13, 1945: Assigned to mess cook. Asks about people at home. May 13, 1945: Getting ready to pull out again, and can’t wait to reach their final destination. May 16, 1945: Talks about Billie. May 20, 1945: Went with a friend to see No Time for Love with Fred MacMurray. Still moving from place-to-place. May 23, 1945: Met someone from Shawnee.

May 23, 1945: He hasn’t received any mail in awhile, because he has been moving around so much. May 27, 1945: Finally reached a destination, and didn’t get as much mail as he thought he would. 14. Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem. June 2, 1945: Sorry for not writing. June 2, 1945: Asks about home. June 4, 1945: Radio. Thinks his parents should move to a new school district. June 5, 1945: Letter to his dad. House in “South Town.” Insurance policy if he doesn’t come back, or what he receives monetarily when he gets back. June 6-7, 1945: The new ship he was assigned to issued him items before he was paid. Penn Kirkpatrick. June 9, 1945: Hasn’t heard from Billie. Asks about news at home. June 10, 1945: Can’t say where he is, but he wishes the war would end. June 12, 1945: Still hasn’t heard from Billie, and hasn’t heard from his friend Tyree. June 15, 1945: His feelings about not hearing from his girlfriend. June 17, 1945: Wants to find his picture of Patt Cash. June 20, 1945: Tired of war. June 21, 1945: Met someone else from Shawnee. June 22, 1945: Wants to receive letters from people more. June 24, 1945: Letter to his brother Jim. Talks about his feelings about getting involved with women and how he sees the war. June 25, 1945: Food where he is, America and the war. Doesn’t want his brother to fight. Australia. June 26, 1945: 6,000 miles from San Francisco. Billie. The mail system. June 29, 1945: His friend Pete was overseas for 3 years straight. Billie.

July 1, 1945: His feelings about Billie. July 2, 1945: Empty envelope. July 5, 1945: Health problems. Going to give Billie an ultimatum. July 5, 1945: Pre-war shaving kit. July 8, 1945: The girls where he is, wants to find other girls to write to him. July 12, 1945: His feelings about how things ended with Billie. July 17, 1945: The reason Billie will not write him. July 19, 1945: Captain called him, because he ignored a cleaning assignment. Thoughts on America and citizenship. July 20, 1945: Empty envelope. July 20, 1945: Had his head shaved. Talks about Billie. July 21, 1945: Feeling better. Wants a camera and film. July 22, 1945: Received two letters from Billie. Going to the beach. July 26, 1945: He was right about why Billie had not written. Talks about letters from other people. July 27, 1945: Talks about Billie and the boxes Mae sent him. Asks about home. July 30, 1945: Met a guy from Oklahoma City. News that war may be over soon. Box 2: Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem, school report cards of Robert Arthur Clem and James F. Clem, miscellaneous documents, and correspondence of James F. Clem. Folder: 1. Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem. August 4, 1945: Talks about why he can’t say much in letters. Gene Autry. Talks about Billie’s letters to him. August 5, 1945: Talked to the Executive Officer about service school. Discusses what is going on at home.

August 9, 1945: Wants to marry Billie. Saw two movies Diamond Horseshoe with Betty Grable and The Clock with Judy Garland. August 13, 1945: Censor Restrictions. Talks about people back home. August 18, 1945: Still fighting even though people are celebrating the end of the war. Thoughts about the Navy and the people back home. American National Bank. August 18, 1945: Empty envelope. August 20, 1945: 620 camera. Talks about censorship of mail. August 21, 1945: Wants to save money. Talks about going home. August 26, 1945: Navy point system. Allotments and war bonds. August 31, 1945: Hopes to be home soon, so that he can eat some fried chicken. September 2, 1945: Talks about when he might be home, and about discharges. September 3, 1945: Japanese surrendered, but doesn’t mean he will be home. Describes the food he ate for lunch and dinner. Includes a C.T. Modern Girl Comics color picture postcard of a woman. September 8, 1945: Trip to the Philippines. Japan. China. Lifted the censorship. September 9, 1945: Talks about Billie and Billie’s sister. September 11, 1945: Palau Islands. Talks about being in love with two different girls. September 15, 1945: Homeward bound. Guam. Talks about really loving Billie’s sister. September 21, 1945: Guam. Going to China. They are hauling men. September 24, 1945: At sea. Will be going to Okinawa before heading to China. Talks about going to school when he gets home. September 26, 1945: At sea. Started painting the ship. 2. Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem. October 2, 1945: Okinawa Jima. Untenko river. Native villages. October 4, 1945: Okinawa Jima. Leaving Okinawa. Talks about Billie. Allotments. Going to Tientsin in the Yellow Sea near the Yalu river.

October 12, 1945: Tientsin, China. The trip from Okinawa to Tientsin. Shots. Includes a pass to the ship’s service store, and 6 pieces of Japanese currency. October 14, 1945: Tientsin, China. Souvenirs from China. Billie’s sister told him not to write either of them anymore. October 15, 1945: Tientsin, China. Liberty Party. Value of an American dollar in China. Movie Jungle Prince with Dorothy Lamour showing. October 20, 1945: Shanghai, China. Yangzee river. Hwangpoo river. Includes a handkerchief purchased from a river boat in China. October 21, 1945: Shanghai, China. Describes Shanghai. Rickshaw. Nanking Road. Red Cross. Japanese Prison Camp. Philippines. October 24, 1945: Western Union Telegram from Arthur to his mom. Includes a packing slip and a Navy volunteer card. October 25, 1945: Shanghai, China. Red Cross. Souvenirs from China. Subic Bay in the Philippines. Formosa. Japan. His Commanding Officer wrote a letter to the Commander in Chief. November 1, 1945: Dad in hospital. Rickshaw. Asks about home. November 3, 1945: Shanghai, China. Formosa, Yangtze, Soochow. Cancelled orders. Japanese. War bonds. OUT pay. Weather. Cheap cost of labor. November 7, 1945: Shanghai, China. Bank Night. Strikes at home since the war has ended. Talks about a Chinese movie he saw about the war, and his thoughts about America. November 11, 1945: Shanghai, China. War bond allotment. Includes 4 pictures of Navy scenes. November 13, 1945: Shanghai, China. Had his picture in the paper. Saw the movie Wonder Man with Danny Kaye. Went to the movie with a Turkish refugee. November 20, 1945: Shanghai, China. Lots of the men he works with are being transferred. Asks about home. November 21, 1945: Shanghai, China. Dances with a Chinese girl. November 24, 1945: Shanghai, China. 1 full letter and 1 partial letter. 1) New Point System. Weather. 2) Story about some Chinese men wanting to sell a woman for a pack of cigarettes. First Marine Division.

December 3, 1945: Shanghai, China. Dating a Chinese girl. USS Dixie, the ship that takes only 14 days to get from China to the States. December 3, 1945: Shanghai, China. USS Dixie. Cold weather in China. Made second class. December 5, 1945: Shanghai, China. Missed the USS Dixie. Commander of the Seven Fleet. Guam. Easter. December 9, 1945: Shanghai, China. Liberty. Date with a Filipino girl. Okinawa. December 11, 1945: Shanghai, China. Guam. Waiting for a ship. December 21, 1945: East China Sea. Guam. Saipan. December 31, 1945: Saipan. Starology. Red Cross. Discharge. January 2, 1946: Saipan. Asks if Dad will move to TX or CA with him. January 2, 1946: Sent a song from Shanghai. January 28, 1946: Western Union Telegram. From San Diego. 3. Correspondence of Robert Arthur Clem. March 21, 1951: Walker AFB, New Mexico. Magic of Fire movie. Allotment. NCO Club. March 30, 1951: Walker AFB, New Mexico. Barracks Chief. Board up room. Dusty in New Mexico. April 6, 1951: Walker AFB, New Mexico. Dentist. Basic training. Drills. April 17, 1951: Roswell, New Mexico. Letter from Arthur and his wife Betty to Arthur’s parents. Asks about Jim. May 1, 1951: Walker A.F.B., NM. Letter from Arthur and Betty to Arthur’s parents. Weather. Bingo. n.d.: Thursday Nite 11:30. Drafted. Doesn’t know where he will be sent. Feelings about this news. n.d.: Christian Service Center of Hollywood Stationery. Hollywood Canteen. Thoughts on war.

n.d.: From an unknown person to Arthur’s mom. Cambodia. Cam Ranh Bay area. San Antonio. Houston. 4. Miscellaneous Correspondence. November 27, 1943: Letter from Henry Benich to Mrs. A.B. Clem. Benich is married to Anna Mae. The letter talks about Arthur. December 9, 1943: Letter from Henry E. Kiffin to Mrs. A.B. Clem. Talks about his life as a soldier. May 7, 1944: Letter from Bill Clem to his mother. May 14, 1944: San Diego, CA. A letter to Bill Clem’s mom on Mother’s Day. May 26, 1944: San Diego, CA. Bill Clem has been sick. Was sent to the 3rd Casual Co., and is waiting to be sent home. June 3, 1944: San Diego, CA. Letting his family know he will be home soon. October 2, 1944: Letter from Jackie to Arthur. Talking about life in Shawnee. October 4, 1944: Letter from Ann to Arthur. Talks about Jimmy, and what to do with Arthur’s Christmas present. Also, mentions that their friend Ann Peck is in the Ingrid Bergman film The House of Dr. Edwards, and pictured in a Life magazine article about the movie. October 5, 1944: Letter from Inez to Arthur. Talks about Bill, and when Arthur will come home. October 12, 1944: Letter from J.R. to Arthur. J.R. talks about being discharged because of a sinus problem. November 18, 1944: New Hebrides. Letter from L.E. Tyree to Mrs. A.B. Clem, Arthur’s mom, thanking her for the fried chicken she sent. January 16, 1945: Letter from Orville Yoder to Arthur Clem of Shawnee. Talks about being overseas. March 11, 1945: Letter from Cpl. Leasy Taylor to Mrs. A.B. Clem. Reunion with her boys. Can’t wait for the war to end. October 8, 1945: Letter from the Shawnee News Co., a cut out picture from a magazine of a baby, and various addresses for Arthur Clem.

n.d.: From an unknown person to Arthur’s mom. Cambodia. Cam Ranh Bay area. San Antonio. Houston. 5. School Report Cards of brothers Robert Arthur Clem and James F. Clem. Robert Arthur Clem: Shawnee High School 1940-1941. James “Jimmy” Clem: Shawnee: Irving Elementary School May 18, 1940. Shawnee: Washington Elementary School 4th Grade. Shawnee: Washington Elementary School 5th Grade. Shawnee: Washington Elementary School 5th Grade. Shawnee: Washington Elementary School 6th Grade. Shawnee: Washington Elementary School 6th Grade. Shawnee: Washington Elementary School 7th Grade. Shawnee: Washington Elementary School 7th Grade. Shawnee High School 1945-1946. 6. Miscellaneous. James F. Clem: Veterans Administration Acknowledgement of Special Dividend Application. March 12, 1944: Chicago to Milwaukee Daily Train Service Schedule. May 3, 1945: Southern Pacific Chair Car Set Reservation Memorandum. September 4, 1946: James F. Clem Information Card. September 24, 1946: James F. Clem Clothing tag from War Department. May 13, 1947: James F. Clem. 2 Railway Express Agency tags. February 6, 1948: James F. Clem application for Social Security account number. December 14, 1949: War Department change of address notice for James F. Clem. June 7, 1969: Receipt from the Federal National Bank and Trust Co.

7. Correspondence of James F. Clem. November 7, 1946: Tinker Field in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Going to take test to get into the Air Force. Sorry for not saying goodbye. January 31, 1946: Geiger Field in Spokane, Washington. Valentine’s Day gift to parents. Trying to figure a way out of Air Force. February 10, 1946: Riverbank, California. Letter from Elizabeth to James’s mother asking about how James is doing. September 5, 1946: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Passed physical exam. Sends news that he will ship out. September 17, 1946: Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Instructions on how to fill out insurance and allotment papers. News of move to Kelly Field. September 30, 1946: San Antonio, Texas. Infected hand. Passed test to go to O.C.S. September 30, 1946: San Antonio, Texas. Got his first letter from home. October 4, 1946: San Antonio, Texas. Will attend Heavy Machine Gun School. List of what he bought with paycheck. October 8, 1946: San Antonio, Texas. Request for money. Weekend pass. October 23, 1946: San Antonio, Texas. 2 letters. One to Mom and one to Dad. Misses Mom’s chocolate cake. Reassures father. October 25, 1946: San Antonio, Texas. Soap and brush party or GI Party. Sears & Roebuck. Submachine gun and colt pistol. Guard duty and running drills. October 29, 1946: San Antonio, Texas. Dumpy gets maple syrup instead of peaches. James gets in trouble for not saluting an officer and must clean toilets. November 10, 1946: San Antonio, Texas. “Bivouac.” Description of training. November 26, 1946: Shipped out of San Antonio to Washington. Describes the sites along the way and first impressions of Washington. November 27, 1946: Geiger Field in Spokane, Washington. May be home for Christmas. November 29, 1946: Geiger Field in Spokane, Washington. Aviation Engineers Bay. Wishes for his mom.

December 3, 1946: Geiger Field in Spokane, Washington. Will not be home for Christmas. December 8, 1946: Geiger Field in Spokane, Washington. Description of how furlough works, and the price of a round trip ticket home. December 14, 1946: Geiger Field in Spokane, Washington. Won’t get to go home for Christmas. December 15, 1946: Geiger Field in Spokane, Washington. Trying to go home for a visit. Weather. Wants to be stationed at Tinker to be close to home. December 17, 1946: Signed up for overseas service. Talks about why he joined up at 17 years old. 8. Correspondence of James F. Clem. January 13, 1947: Geiger Field, Washington. 19 hours late. He could leave if he wants. January 19, 1947: Geiger Field, Washington. Punishment for being 19 hours late. Will be in at least 3 more months. Taking typing classes. Needs birth certificate to get out. January 24, 1947: Geiger Field, Washington. Protocol on how she could get him out of the service if she wanted to. January 30, 1947: Geiger Field, Washington. Explanation of how he spends his paycheck. Example of letter he wants her to write so that he could get out of the Air Force. Will begin working on diesel engines. February 10, 1947: Geiger Field, Washington. Sick. Influenza shots. February 20, 1947: Geiger Field, Washington. Air Force school, and the reason he signed up for overseas duty. February 21, 1947: empty envelope February 23, 1947: Geiger Field, Washington. More reasons he decided to go overseas. Talks about growing up. March 1, 1947: Geiger Field, Washington. Letter to Dad about the Army. March 7, 1947: Geiger Field, Washington. G.I. Party. March 11, 1947: Geiger Field, Washington. Picture of Jim. California or overseas. Need diesel mechanics.

March 15, 1947: Tacoma, Washington. Allotment cancelled. Transfer to McCord Field which is a shipping base to Alaska. March 27, 1947: McCord Field, Washington. Mess hall. March 28, 1947: McCord Field, Washington. Mountain. March 31, 1947: McCord Field, Washington. Mt. Rainier and Mt. Park. April 27, 1947: Hamilton Field, California. Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco. May 4, 1947: Hamilton Field, California. Swimming. May 5, 1947: Hamilton Field, California. Scribbles and a picture. May 8, 1947: Hamilton Field, California. Mother’s Day. May 15, 1947: Hamilton Field, California. Insurance Policy. Tooth filled. 9. Correspondence of James F. Clem. May 19, 1947: Hamilton Field, California. Russia. May 23, 1947: Fairfield Army Air Base, California. Going to Manila. May 30, 1947: Manila, the Philippines. Description of the island. June 13, 1946: Manila, Philippines. Red Cross. Heat. June 16, 1947: Okinawa. Rumors. How to dry clothes and open envelopes in Okinawa. Information about people on the Island. June 20, 1947: Okinawa. Saying hello. June 27, 1947: Okinawa. Shows. Requests. July 5, 1947: Okinawa. Beach. July 11, 1947: Okinawa. Letting them know he is okay. July 11, 1947: Letter from Arthur. July 16, 1947: Okinawa. Missed Mom’s birthday. July 22, 1947: Okinawa. Red Cross Club and the Up and Atom club.

July 24, 1947: Okinawa. Up and Atom Club. July 25, 1947: Empty envelope. August 18, 1947: Okinawa. Heat rash. September 15, 1947: Naha Airfield, Okinawa. Typhoons and tidal waves. September 26, 1947: Okinawa, Jima. Control tower. Signal Corps typewriter. September 29, 1947: Shoes. Living near friend. October 5, 1947: Okinawa. How to get out, and his feelings about Okinawa. October 22, 1947: Okinawa. Checking in. October 25, 1947: Okinawa, Jima. Typhoon. Radio station. October 30, 1947: Discharge Letter for reason of minority. November 7, 1947: Okinawa. Gas mask. November 18, 1947: Okinawa, Jima. Deep sea fishing. Will try to be better. 10. Correspondence of James F. Clem. November 10, 1949: San Antonio, Texas. Typhoid shot. Back in the Army again. Annulment. November 15, 1949: Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Food and film. November 22, 1949: San Antonio, Texas. Old Mexico. Back overseas. Thanksgiving at the base. November 25, 1949: San Antonio, Texas. K.P. on Thanksgiving. December 1, 1949: San Antonio, Texas. K.P. duty. Paying bills. E.L.O. December 19, 1949: Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas. Description of new base. December 27, 1949: San Antonio, Texas. Christmas dinner on base. 11. Correspondence of James F. Clem. January 10, 1950: Randolph Field, Texas. $68 Lawyer. Gifts.

January 19, 1950: Randolph Field, Texas. K.P duty. Furlough. March 21, 1950: Randolph Field, Texas. Paying off debts. April 10, 1950: Randolph Field, Texas. Easter. Ring worm. May 7, 1950: Randolph Field, Texas. Working at the pool. June 2, 1950: Randolph Field, Texas. Mom in hospital. June 3, 1950: Randolph Field, Texas. Went on a date. Went fishing. June 6, 1950: Randolph Field, Texas. Randolph baseball team. June 21, 1950: Randolph Field, Texas. Trip to Houston. July 10, 1950: Randolph Field, Texas. Alerted to go overseas. Explains how notice works. July 18, 1950: Camp Stoneman, California. Rush orders to go overseas. 20th Air Force in Okinawa. C-54’s. July 25, 1950: Camp Stoneman, California. Taking a boat from California to Okinawa. August 13, 1950: Okinawa. Experiences on the boat. A different Okinawa. August 18, 1950: Okinawa. “Ground-Pounders.” Weather in Okinawa. Enlisting vs. being drafted. August 25, 1950: Okinawa. Heat rash. September 9, 1950: Okinawa. Messed up payday. Typhoons. November 1, 1950: Okinawa. Typhoon. Checking in on Mom and Dad. November 5, 1950: Okinawa. Weather. Oklahoma and Okinawa. Football. November 14, 1950: Okinawa. Typhoon. Mail system. November 18, 1950: Okinawa. Weather. Oklahoma football. November 26, 1950: Okinawa. Thanksgiving on Base. C.Q. duty or Charge of Quarters. Weather. December 11, 1950: Okinawa. Newspapers. Winter. Chinese. How he thinks the war is going.

12. Correspondence of James F. Clem. January 1, 1951: Okinawa. Getting ready for war. China. Oklahoma football. January 6, 1951: Okinawa. Weather. Thoughts on the war. January 8, 1951: Okinawa. Fruit cake. Winter. January 17, 1951: Okinawa. Made Sergeant. Has health problems. Rumors of gift boxes spread fast. January 25, 1951: Okinawa. Checking in. Plans for the future. January 31, 1951: Okinawa. Weather. China. Things not looking good. Brother may join him. New bomber group coming in. February 15, 1951: Okinawa. Weather. The draft. February 22, 1951: Okinawa. Weather. Korea. March 7, 1951: Okinawa. New Job. Weather. Korea. Savings. Sending men home. March 14, 1951: Okinawa. Taxes. Weather. March 21, 1951: Okinawa. Weather. No extended tours. Taxes. March 23, 1951: Okinawa. Going home soon. Way to claim Mom as his dependent. Military rule for salary. April 2, 1951: Okinawa. Working out taxes. April 17, 1951: Okinawa. Allotment worked out. Box 3 Correspondence of James F. Clem and a box with 6 naval pins. Folder: 1. Correspondence of James F. Clem. May 9, 1951: Okinawa. Weather and payday. May 22, 1951: Okinawa. Allotment worries. June 19, 1951: Okinawa. Allotments. Weather.

June 30, 1951: Okinawa. Buying a Bel Air “Chev” in Okinawa. Air Force baseball team. July 29, 1951: Okinawa. 12-15 hour days. Need white socks. Weather. September 11, 1951: Okinawa. Pictures made. Furlough to Japan. Weather. September 20, 1951: Okinawa. Shipping troops back home. Showing a lighter to the “Okinawains.” August 9, 1951: Okinawa. The Ritz. Weather. August 23, 1951: Okinawa. Typhoon. Furlough cancelled. Japan. November 1, 1951: Okinawa. Furlough to Japan. Japanese food. What he wants for his first meal home. December 5, 1951: Okinawa. Japan. Applied for Staff Sgt. Weather. December 19, 1951: Okinawa. Going before the board for Staff Sgt. position. December 31, 1951: Okinawa. Miyoko Island. Trip to Japan. December 31, 1952: San Francisco, California. Updates. 2. Correspondence of James F. Clem. January 7, 1952: Okinawa. Will be overseas a little longer. Weather. January 21, 1952: Okinawa. Made Staff Sgt. Going to the States in 2 weeks. May 5, 1952: F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. Paying off debts. Possible transfer to Oklahoma City. May 6, 1952: F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. 2 letters. Girlfriend. Out of money. Transfer to Tinker may not work. May 19, 1952: F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. Doctor’s letter needed to get him transferred must say his dad will only live 1 year. June 5, 1952: F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. Getting married. June 17, 1952: F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. Going home. July 26, 1952: Cheyenne, Wyoming. Money troubles. Went fishing.

3. Correspondence of James F. Clem. n.d., 1953: Rapier, California. Elizabeth, James’s sister, letter to Mom. December 26, 1953: Rapier, California. Elizabeth, James’s sister, letter to Mom. February 25, 1953: Tyler, Texas. April and Bo Hunter’s letter to James’s mom. October 28, 1955: Letter from Joanna to James about Tracy. November 2, 1955: Letter from Joanna to James. December 8, 1955: Letter from Joanna to James. Watched Tonight on television. June 29, 1956: Great Falls, Montana. Fishing. Joanna hasn’t written him. March 23, 1957: Great Falls, Montana. Letter from Joanna, James’s wife, to his mom. January 8, 1958: New York, New York. Combat Support Group. Small note on back from James’s brother Arthur. n.d., 1958: empty envelope with the return address New York, New York. January 30, 1958: Bismarck, North Dakota. Weather. Weapon Systems School in Colorado. Theatre group. September 5, ?:Probably from London though return address is New York, New York. Describes where he is living in London. September 23, 1958: Base 85 miles from London. Describes the town. Weather. November 23, 1958: English weather. NCO floor show. Bingo. December 10, ?:England. Christmas. Food. Beer prices and the price of a VW. 4. Correspondence of James F. Clem. July 12, 1961: El Paso, Texas. Describes town and weather. October 26, 1962: Denver, Colorado. Letter written by a “Red Cross Grey Lady” for James to send to his mother. November 1, 1962: Denver, Colorado. Letter written by a “Red Cross Grey Lady” for James describing his accident to his mother.

November 8, 1962: Denver, Colorado. Letter written by a “Red Cross Grey Lady” for James. Describes the care given at the Red Cross. November 29, 1962: Denver, Colorado. Letter written by a “Red Cross Grey Lady” for James. Describes the progress he has made, and goes more in-depth in describing his injuries. December 11, 1962: Denver Colorado. Letter written by a “Red Cross Grey Lady” for James. Will be moved to a V.A. Hospital. January 10, 1963: Denver Colorado. Letter written by a “Red Cross Grey Lady” for James. Will be at Red Cross at least 6 more months. August 27, 1963: Hines, Illinois. V.A. Hospital. Insurance. Canada police. October 5, 1963: Stillwater, Oklahoma. Letter from Patty to her grandmother. Checking up on James. 5. Correspondence of James F. Clem. February 20, ?: 125 miles from Kenosha. Ann. Weather. School. Envelope has Korean design. March 23, ?: School. Ann. Weather. July 12, ?: Letter from Bill to Mom. August 7, ?: Checking in with Mom. Form to fill out. October 31, ?: Sorry for not writing. Going to see Ann. n.d.: Checking In with Mom. n.d.: Empty envelope. n.d.: Shipping out to Montana. Weather. There are “Nice Women” in the city he is living. 6. Six naval pins. Box 4: The original scrapbook that contained the letters of Robert Arthur Clem and newspaper clippings.