Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 17, 1943
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th
World War, 1939-1945
Soldiers -- Michigan
Correspondence
Africa, North
Easter
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 17, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated April 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed overseas in North Africa and in good health, sharing the news of their recent payday and how he wishes he could return home for Easter.
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, April 13, 1943
United States. Army Promotions
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 13, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated April 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed overseas in North Africa and after receiving three of her letters written back in March, sharing the downhearted news of his returning to being a "Corporal" and the squad members who are missing in action.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 11, 1943
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 11, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated March 16, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed overseas in North Africa and after receiving the latest snapshots she mailed to him, noting how she hasn't changed much in her pictures, and hoping she remains in good health and spirits.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 2, 1943
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 2, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated March 11, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed overseas in North Africa, sharing the news of his happiness in receiving her Valentine and Christmas card, and his recent haircut in anticipation of warmer weather.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 9, 1943
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 9, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated February 13, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in North Africa, hoping she will soon receive the French money he sent to her, and the recent news regarding the delivery of packages overseas.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, February 4, 1943
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated February 4, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated February 15, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in North Africa and after receiving four of her letters written back in January, while also sharing how much he misses her after seven months apart.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 29, 1943
V-mail
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 29, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated February 11, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes upon receiving her packages the previous night, sharing his gratitude for the great boost in morale and the V-mails she wrote to him back in December.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 19, 1943
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 19, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated January 24, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from inside a "fox hole" in North Africa and after receiving letters from her dating back to October. He also forewarns that he may not be able to answer each of her letters, but reassures that he will write to her whenever time permits.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 3, 1943
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 3, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated January 7, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in North Africa, noting his family's surprise in hearing that news, and his own feelings after five months of being stationed overseas.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, January 1, 1943
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated January 1, 1943. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated January 2, 1943. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes reassuring her of his health and safety while stationed overseas in North Africa and reminiscing about being on furlough and visiting her house the previous year. He also writes about how he carries their 4th of July photographs with him everywhere and how he is in need of photograph reinforcements.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, December 25, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated December 25, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated December 27, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes on Christmas Day while stationed overseas in North Africa and expresses the holiday's special meaning to him that year while experiencing profound gratitude for his life. He continues to write while focusing on positive news such as the swell sermon he attended and the delicious holiday dinner.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, December 24, 1942
United States. Army--Guard duty
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated December 24, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated December 27, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes upon receiving five of her letters that were written back in October and his enjoyment in reading them despite the delay. He also reassures her about the continued delay in their correspondence and how his platoon will be spending Christmas Eve on Guard Duty.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, December 23, 1942
Air mail service
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated December 23, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated December 26, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving two of her Air Mail letters while stationed in North Africa and sharing the news of his safety, while wishing their loved ones a "Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" back home in the United States.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 20, 1942
Oran (Algeria)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 20, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated November 24, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes to let her know he is well and in good health during a period when he hasn't received her letters, in addition to letter her know is he now in North Africa and has been in battle. He also writes of his travels to Oran, Algeria, and how it has been three weeks since his last cigarette.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 11, 1942
Handwritten V-mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 11, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated October 1942. In the V-mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing his enjoyment in receiving one of her letters and how he always looks forward to hearing from her, in addition to inquiring about everyone back home and sending his best to them.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 10, 1942
Handwritten V-mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 10, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated October 20, 1942. In the V-mail letter, Joe writes to Agnes in his spare time while hoping to catch up on the latest news that fall, including how the football team is doing that year and how the sweater she is knitting is coming along.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 8, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 8, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated October 11, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing how he passes the time with a phonograph and a radio playing popular recordings, the news, and swing music from the United States.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 3, 1942
Handwritten V-mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 3, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated October 27, 1942. In the V-mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes after gladly receiving three of her letters and sharing the news of his recent promotion to the rank of "Sergeant."
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, September 9, 1942
Handwritten V-mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated September 9, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated September 22, 1942. In the V-mail letter, Joe writes briefly to Agnes noting the backlog of mail he received from her and how family and friends haven't received any mail from his current address due to the delay in mail processing through New York City.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, September 6, 1942
Handwritten V-mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated September 6, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated September 17, 1942. In the V-mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes hoping for her wellbeing and appreciative upon receiving her latest letter, along with one from her younger sister, Beasie. He also writes about Agnes being back at school and his anticipated absence for her future graduation.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 30, 1942
Handwritten V-mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 30, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated September 8, 1942. In the V-mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes after receiving her third Air Mail letter, hoping for her continued well-being and his best regards for her parents back home.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 29, 1942
Handwritten V-mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 29, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated September 7, 1942. In the V-mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes expressing his appreciation for the recent Air Mail letters he received from her while stationed in England, in addition to how much he misses and thinks of Agnes each day.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 26, 1942
Great Britain
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 26, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated August 27, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving two of her Air Mail letters, and shares his recent travels around London to many of the famous historical sights, in addition to his overall reflections on being stationed in England.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 10, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 10, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, New York, New York, dated August 11, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes upon arriving in England, sharing the news of his enjoyable voyage, the censorship of their letters moving forward, and the slight change of address with all of the mail continuing to be routed through New York City.