Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 4, 1942
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th
World War, 1939-1945
Soldiers -- Michigan
Correspondence
Fort Devens (Mass.)
Tear gas
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 4, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated February 4, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes discussing his most recent military training exercises including a 4-hour hike in the freezing cold and their experience testing their gas masks in a tear gas chamber.
Olexa, Joseph P.
Joseph P. Olexa WWII memoir and correspondence, (RHC-93)
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
In Copyright
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 9, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 9, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated February 12, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after returning to camp at Fort Devens on the previous day and discussing that day's indoor classes in addition to the following day's full-field hike for their military training.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 16, 1942
Camp Blanding (Fla.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 16, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated February 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after returning to camp at Fort Devens and sharing the news of their next move to Camp Blanding, Florida. He also writes to express his sincere gratitude towards Agnes' parents for the kindness they have shown him during his visits and travels.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 24, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 24, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated February 25, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing the news of her latest letter awaiting him as he made the train trip down to Camp Blanding. He also discusses the conditions they experienced as they hiked to their new living quarters, how their new camp compares to Fort Devens, and his thoughts on a potential transfer in the future. Enclosed in his letter is an additional note to Agnes' younger sister, Gloria.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 8, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 8, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated March 9, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing his experiences at Camp Blanding including their training during the rain-filled weekdays and their weekends spent swimming in the sunshine. Enclosed in his letter is an additional note to Agnes' younger sister, Gloria.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 15, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 15, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated March 16, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving two of her letters and finally finding a chance to respond during a period of hard training in intense heat and rain. He continues to describe their training exercises during the week and his leisure time on Sundays, in addition to his upcoming three-day pass and being shipped to the front in the months ahead. Enclosed in his letter is an additional note to Agnes' younger sister, Gloria.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 22, 1942
Guard duty
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 22, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated March 23, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes describing the various training activities that are planned for the week including combat firing, hiking with equipment, and firing an automatic rifle on the range. He also continues to write about the "Fighting First Division" and their motto, in addition to their Regimental motto, and his personal thoughts on the subject. Please note, this portion of the letter includes harmful and offensive language toward the Japanese people and should be viewed with awareness and cultural sensitivity.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 28, 1942
Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 28, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes during a time of hard training at Camp Blanding, where he carries a rifle for twelve hours a day and his division trains rain or shine.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 5, 1942
Jacksonville (Fla.)
Motion pictures--1940-1950
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 5, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated April 6, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while he continues to undergo hard training at Camp Blanding and has lost ten pounds to show for it. He also writes about their escaping the southern heat by swimming in their downtime, the upcoming parade in Jacksonville, Florida for "Army Day," and the recent film he had seen.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 13, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 13, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated April 14, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while in good spirits, yet feeling under the weather, while at Camp Blanding and after attending the parade and church services in Jacksonville, Florida.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 20, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 20, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated April 21, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while taking a break on K.P. duty and discusses the recent 22 mile hiking trip during training, in addition to their families and the agreeable weather in Florida.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 22, 1942
Military maneuvers
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 22, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated April 23, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after two days of K.P. duty and discusses the recent movies he had seen, the training activities planned for the days ahead, and the rumor regarding their trip to Georgia for a 20-day manuever.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 27, 1942
Furloughs
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 27, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated April 27, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes discussing the letters he received that week and the reasons why he is undecided in taking a furlough at that time. He also writes of his recent promotion to "Corporal" by his Company Commander and the news of the First Division's return to Fort Devens.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 2, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 2, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 3, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes in surprise after receiving a letter and photographs from her on the previous night, and noticing how much she had changed. He also writes of his planned furlough in June, where he will be spending nearly a week visiting her and her family, and his Army promotion as a "full-fledged Corporal."
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 5, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 5, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 5, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after nearly running out of writing paper and fill sher in on the latest news, such as the letter he received from his brother at college and the special engraving on the bracelet he sent her.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 8, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 8, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 9, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving two of her letters and shares his excitement over Agnes receiving the gifts he sent her and his potential upcoming furlough, in addition to the day's events including a parade and preparing for inspection.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 13, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 13, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 14, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving three of her letters and her latest package, and writes of his hopes for a furlough in the future and rumors of an upcoming move.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 14, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 14, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 14, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while on "Charge of Quarters" and hopes that she still has her fingers crossed regarding his potential furlough in June. He also writes of the 44 new men that joined their company and the Sergeants relocating due to new outfits being made, in anticipation for their being sent into action in the upcoming weeks.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 16, 1942
Fort Benning (Ga.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 16, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Camp Blanding, Florida, dated May 17, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while worrying about her letters seeming downhearted on his behalf and encourages her to not worry about the future. He also writes of their upcoming move to Fort Benning, Georgia for a few months and encourages her to take a furlough to visit him at his new location.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 22, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 22, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated May 24, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes upon arriving at Fort Benning and shares that they will be staying there for five weeks, in a location so remote that the nearest town is 17 miles away.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 23, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 23, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated May 23, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while reasuring her of his responsibilities at Fort Benning, including being on Charge of Quarters and maneuvers when he has little time to write, and his down time spent swimming at a nearby lake. He also writes of the furlough he hopes to be able to take and his encouragement over Agnes taking one of her own.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 6, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 6, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated June 6, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes during a rare moment of spare time ahead of being on Guard Duty at Fort Benning. He also writes about their training activities and vaccinations, in addition to inquiring about her family and their wellbeing.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 7, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 7, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated June 8, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her latest letter and dreaming that it would arrive that day. He also writes about his experience on Guard Duty, the health benefits of Army training, and the recent movie he saw starring Spencer Tracy. Please note, a portion of this letter contains language that is harmful and offensive and should be viewed with awareness and racial and cultural sensitivity.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 14, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 14, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated June 15, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving two of her letters and experiencing a delay in his response due to military maneuvers. He also writes about his upcoming move and hopes of receiving a furlough, and the open-air show that he hopes to attend that evening.