Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 3, 1944
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 26th
World War, 1939-1945
Soldiers -- Michigan
Correspondence
V-mail
Sad Sack
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 3, 1944. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4187 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-152, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 10, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes while recovering in the hospital, sharing how he passes the time reading and admiring her photograph at his bedside.
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, July 30, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 30, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 30, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while anticipating his Army division's next move and reassures her that he will write as soon as he arrives at their new location.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 31, 1944
Weddings--Planning
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 31, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. "K,"Det. of Patients, 4167 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O. 514-A, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated August 2, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes with boosted morale after receiving six of her letters on the same day. He writes with great inspiration, looking forward to the day they are together and wearing civilian clothes once again, in addition to the most recent news regarding his family and their wedding plans.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 4, 1944
Fourth of July
Purple Heart
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 4, 1944. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4187 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-152, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 13, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes on the Fourth of July, a day that holds additional significance as the last day they were together before their two years apart. He also writes with the news that he has been awarded the "Purple Heart" medal for being wounded in action and will be sending it home to his family for safekeeping.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 5, 1944
Love letters
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 5, 1944. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4187 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-152, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 14, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes while recovering in the hospital and thinking of their future together. Joe also mentions that he has been re-reading her old letters as he awaits his mail being forwarded to the hospital.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 6, 1942
Indiantown Gap Military Reservation (Pa.)
Furloughs
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 6, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 7, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after a whirlwind visit together for a few hours and shares the details of his return back to camp in Pennsylvania.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 6, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 6, 1944. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4187 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-152, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 8, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while on the road to recovery in the hospital, using American Red Cross stationary and informing her of his well-being and the view from his hospital bed.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, July 7, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated July 7, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes hoping to learn how she's been since they last saw each other and his hopes for the Army to continue their special train routes so he can visit again one day.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 14, 1942
Fort Benning (Ga.)
Military maneuvers
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.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 14, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 14, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated June 25, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes from an unidentified location in France as he anxiously awaits the news of her visit with his family back home in Michigan. He also discusses some of their initial wedding plans including his potential furlough from the U.S. Army, their marriage license, and hope for a small wedding.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 19, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 19, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Indiantown Gap, Military Reservation, Pennsylvania, dated June 20, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes upon arriving in Indiantown Gap Military Reservation in Pennsylvania and discusses how his letters will be censored from then on, in addition to the cooler temperatures up north. He continues to write about his hopes for a furlough and the convenient travel options out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 21, 1944
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 21, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 3, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes letting her know he received five of her latest letters and the photograph of her dressed up for Easter, which he enjoyed along with the news of Agnes meeting the rest of his family.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 24, 1942
Fort Devens (Mass.)
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 24, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Indiantown Gap, Military Reservation, Pennsylvania, dated June 24, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes ahead of having a "blackout" at the military reservation that evening and discusses various subjects including his hopes for a furlough and how it would be a miracle to return to Fort Devens.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 25, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 25, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1, Indiantown Gap, Military Reservation, Pennsylvania, dated June 26, 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her latest letter and package, discussing how he will give her a big bear hug upon receiving his furlough someday and how no military information is to be given out moving forward.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 28, 1942
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 28, 1942. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry, A.P.O. #1209, New York, New York, dated July 1942. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes discussing potential arrangements for her to travel to visit him and stay in the nearby Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, while still holding onto hope for his own upcoming furlough.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 29, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 29, 1944. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4187 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-152, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 4, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while in the hospital using American Red Cross stationary and informing her of his well-being and the books he is currently reading.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, June 30, 1944
Handwritten V-Mail letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated June 30, 1944. The envelope is sent from Det. of Patients, 4187 U.S. Hospital Plant, A.P.O.-152, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated July 10, 1944. In the V-Mail letter, Joe writes a brief message to Agnes while recovering in the Army hospital in England. He writes that he is feeling fine and wishes they could spend the Fourth of July holiday together as they had done in years past.
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
Motion pictures--1940-1950
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, March 11, 1943
Africa, North
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 12, 1945
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.
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.
Letter from Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, March 15, 1942
Camp Blanding (Fla.)
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 15, 1944
Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated March 15, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated March 17, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes after receiving her lovely birthday card including a new photograph and a lock of her hair. He continues to describe his great affection for her and how her letters boost his morale while stationed overseas in England.