Scope and Contents: 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.