Brief Description:

Primarily love letters written by Herman D. Sawyer, Jr. to Elmarine Feagle Sawyer in 1943-1945 during his service in the United States Army in World War II. The letters document Sawyer's persistent love for his girlfriend/fiancée/wife while chronicling his everyday life as a serviceman at Washington, D.C.; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Ord, California; the South Pacific; and the Philippines.

The collection also includes letters to Elmarine from her friends, family, coworkers, in-laws, and past love interests, written between 1942 and 1945. There is one letter and a Father's Day card written by Elmarine to her father in 1942, prior to his death on July 1. There are also three letters written to Herman D. Sawyer, Jr. and a booklet providing a history of the 176th Infantry up to July 1943.

Record Series Number: 001/01/MSS 2018-025

Created by: Sawyer, Elmarine Feagle (1914-1993)

Volume: 5.0 Boxes

Acquired: 06/18/2018.

Arrangement: Letters from Herman D. Sawyer, Jr. are arranged in chronological order. Letters by other authors are arranged alphabetically by correspondent, then chronologically.

Biographical Note for Sawyer, Elmarine Feagle (1914-1993) : Verous Elmarine Feagle Sawyer was born on June 19, 1914 in Lake City, Florida. During World War II, she worked in payroll for the United States Army in the Chief of Engineers office. She married Herman David Sawyer, Jr. (1919-1991) first during an elopement when she visited him at Fort Benning, Georgia between August 11-15, 1943. She married Sawyer second on March 22, 1944 in South Mills, North Carolina. She married Sawyer a third time on June 7, 1947 in Suffolk, Virginia. Sawyer was a member of the Ladies of Disabled American Veterans. She died on December 7, 1993 in Norfolk, Virginia and was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia.

Access Restrictions: This collection is open to all researchers.

Subject Index

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Languages of Materials

Rights/Use Restrictions: The status of copyright for these materials is governed by Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. C.). Copyright restrictions may apply.

Acquisition Notes: American Legion Post 327 by donation

PreferredCitation: Letters to Elmarine Feagle Sawyer, MSS 2018-025, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.