Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, December 7, 1941
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th
World War, 1939-1945
Soldiers -- Michigan
Correspondence
Fort Devens (Mass.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated December 7, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated December 8, 1941. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after arriving back at Fort Devens and filling her in on the latest news regarding furloughs over the holidays and his Thanksgiving spent in the field.
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, November 9, 1941
Greensboro (N.C.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 9, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, dated November 9, 1941. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while staying at a YMCA in Greensboro, North Carolina on a hospitality trip and sharing the news that he most likely won't be able to return home for Thanksgiving that year.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, November 3, 1941
Fort Bragg (N.C.)
Military maneuvers
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated November 3, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, dated November 4, 1941. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes as he is leaving for his last maneuver at Fort Bragg before returning back to Fort Devens in Massachusetts. He also writes in great detail telling her the story of his latest manuever, which illustrates some of his most focused and impassioned writing and causes him to wonder why he hadn't become a news writer for his profession.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 26, 1941
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 26, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, dated October 27, 1941. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while being visited by a dog at camp and sharing his harrowing experience during their five day manuever, while anticipating the twelve day problem that is to follow the next day.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 19, 1941
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 19, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, dated October 21, 1941. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes thanking her for her recent "novel" of a letter and letting her know more about his trip down south to North Carolina and his life at Fort Bragg so far.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 8, 1941
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 8, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated October 9, 1941. In the letter, Joe writes multiple pages to Agnes discussing how he and his peers compare with the young men of 1917 that preceeded them, the difficult maneuvers they are facing, and how he hopes to see Agnes and her folks before he leaves for North Carolina.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, October 6, 1941
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated October 6, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated October 6, 1941. In the letter, Joe writes briefly to Agnes discussing his recent time spent going to the movies and Whalom Park, in addition to packing for their future move to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, September 30, 1941
Grand Rapids (Mich.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated September 30, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated October 1, 1941. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after an enjoyable weekend together with her parents, thanking them for their hospitality and wondering what her plans will be when she returns to living in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, September 25, 1941
Motion pictures--1940-1950
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated September 25, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated September 26, 1941. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after being on K.P. duty and discusses his upcoming transition to Fort Bragg, North Carolina and his potential visit to see her that upcoming Saturday. Joe also mentions he is going to see the film "Navy Blues" after writing Agnes and requests that she send another photograph of herself in her next letter.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, September 15, 1941
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated September 15, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated September 18, 1941. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes to let her know he made it back to camp safely after visiting with her and her folks, possibly at their home in Ashburnham, Massachusetts or an other unidentified location.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, September 11, 1941
Guard duty
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated September 11, 1941. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated September 12, 1941. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes in response to her most recent letter and discusses his experience with Guard Duty and the regular Army routines, the weather at Fort Devens, in addition to seeking her forgiveness in anticipation of seeing her in person on Sunday.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, September 8, 1941
Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated September 8, 1941. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while stationed in Fort Devens, Massachusetts with an apology for not coming down to visit her over the weekend while he was on Guard Duty. Joe reassures her that he will visit on the next available opportunity, while writing how pleased he was to meet her and hoping that her feelings were the same.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, August 28, 1946
Furloughs
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated August 28, 1946. The envelope is sent from 1190 Reed Pl., Detroit, Michigan, dated August 29, 1946. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes letting her know that all is well while he is away for work and hopes she is the same at her job. He also writes how he misses her and her cooking and gives his regards to her family back in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 31, 1945
Love letters
Concentration camps
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 31, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated June 1, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving one of her "long-expected letters" and a photograph with great relief. He writes of his great love for Agnes, despite the war that separated them, and how he never stops thinking of the day when he will return home to her now that the war in Europe is finally over.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, May 4, 1945
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated May 4, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 6, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her first letter in nearly three weeks in addition to old letters from the time he spent wounded in the hospital. He also writes further on President Roosevelt's death and his experience overseas during that time, while also sharing his thoughts on Germany and concentration camps during the war.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 29, 1945
Weddings--Planning
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 29, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated May 2, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes on a beautiful day in England, wishing they were together again and dreaming of their wedding day and future happiness. He also writes describing the natural beauty of their potential honeymoon at the lake and his hopes for his future "Best Man."
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 27, 1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 27, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 29, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after two and a half weeks of not hearing from her and experiencing low morale as a result. He also writes while dreaming of their future together and how he is counting down the days until they are together again.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 21, 1945
Pyle, Ernie, 1900-1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 21, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 22, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes for the first time in over a week, sharing his appreciation for the package she sent him in addition to the news of President Roosevelt and American journalist and war correspondent, Ernie Pyle, passing away.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, April 8, 1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated April 8, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated April 11, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing his feelings of homesickness while in England and holding onto her letters and photographs to keep him company.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 25, 1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 25, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, U.S. Army, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 30, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes with positive news of his recovery upon leaving the hospital, in addition to his feelings for his future wife as they approach the one year anniversary of their engagement.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 12, 1945
V-mail
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 12, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 19, 1945. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes informing her of his new address and positive experience with his new assignent.
Handwritten letter with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 12, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes on a beautiful Sunday in England, sharing the news of how he is getting along well and enjoying his new job, in addition to missing her as much as ever.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 9, 1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 9, 1945. The envelope is sent from 6916 Reinf. Co. (Prov.), 6903 Reinf. Bn. (Prov.), A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated circa March 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes sharing the news of his new job and his furlough request for a thirty-day return home to the United States.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 5, 1945
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 5, 1945. The envelope is sent from 522nd Co. 65th Repl. Bn., A.P.O.-551, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 7, 1945. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes on the day before his birthday, sharing how he is homesick for her and wishing they could celebrate his special day together.