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Graeff, Leonard Eugene, (1920-2016) to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09611.182 Author/Creator: Graeff, Leonard Eugene, (1920-2016) Place Written: Great Lakes, Illinois Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 December 1943 Pagination: 6 p. : envelope ; 24.5 x 16cm. Order a Copy

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated December 16, 1943. Leonard writes that received a lot of Christmas cards in the past few days. He advises the two of them to rest, as they are getting sick a lot. He has a sore throat himself, and will go to a doctor if it gets worse. He's astounded at the amount of people who have the flu. Some fellow sailors are getting "eat fever," which is similar to a bad cold. Some sailors went AWOL (absent without leave) as they became sick when they were on leave and couldn't get back in time. Robert Winemiller wrote Leonard that his brother was 1A again for the army. Leonard has participated in all the shops at school, and is doing better in mechanical. He has received 100 percent as a grade for all the mechanical quizzes. He thinks if he was just doing mechanical and mechanical drawing he would be great. Heard from Dotty that Wolverton is in Chicago. Leonard mentions receiving a big box of candy and nuts from Natalie. Bernice's boyfriend was in gunners mate school, and has leave on Christmas. Bernice and her boyfriend will be married when he is home on leave. Leonard went to another W.A.V.E. dance and met a girl named Ann who was very popular. He also was informed that he will have a 60 hour leave for Christmas so he will be able to come home for 24 hours. He also mentioned that Bertha invited him to Christmas dinner if he was able to get home.

1A was a term used by the military to classify men available and fit for regular service.
W.A.V.E.S. stands for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service it was the women's branch of the United States Naval Reserve during World War II. It was established on July 21, 1942 by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on July 30. This authorized the U.S. Navy to accept women into the Naval Reserve as commissioned officers at the enlisted level, so that officers and men that were determined to be fit could be placed on sea duty and replaced with women in shore establishments.

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016
Graeff, Susan Prowell, 1890-1967
Graeff, Raymond James, 1889-1963
Roleists, Natalie, fl. 1943
Stouffer, Bernice, fl.1943
Hutton, Bertha, fl. 1943-1944

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