This collection contains around 80 letters that Sergeant Frank D. Jonas wrote to his parents and siblings in Brooklyn, New York, while serving with the Company B of the 326th Tank Corps at Camp Upton, New York; at Camp Colt and Camp Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania; and in Bourg and St. Laurent, France, during World War I. The collection also includes letters that Jonas received from other soldiers and letters by Jonas's brothers Robert and Richard.
The bulk of the Correspondence series is comprised of letters from Frank D. Jonas to his parents and siblings, usually addressed to his mother. While in training at Fort Slocum and Camp Upton, New York, in early 1918, he described his clothing, equipment, daily routine, and other soldiers. In late March 1918, Jonas transferred to the newly established Camp Colt near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he became a member of Company B of the 326th Tank Corps and, later, a signal sergeant. In his letters to his family, Jonas mentioned training exercises such as hikes, drilling, and signaling classes; he also encouraged his brother Richard ("Dick") to enlist. After arriving in Europe around October 1918, Jonas wrote a letter about his transatlantic journey; he later commented on his surroundings and on soldiers' accommodations in France.
After the war, Jonas served in Bourg and St. Laurent, France, where he discussed the possibility of returning home. Two of his letters contain enclosures: a newspaper clipping with photographs of French tanks and wounded Canadian soldiers (September 19, 1918) and photographic negatives of a soldier in uniform (May 23, 1918). Several of Jonas's letters are written on YMCA or Tank Corps stationery, and he also sent his family a Christmas card, and received a postcard depicting a group of soldiers.
Jonas received 2 letters from Sergeant Edward A. Fargo, Jr., who served in Germany in 1919; 1 letter from a marine serving at Paris Island, South Carolina; and 1 letter from Sergeant Harry E. Wildner. His brothers Richard ("Dick") and Robert ("Bob") also wrote several letters about their own experiences in the military.
The Tank Drill Regulations series contains one 3-page document outlining the procedures and signals during tank units' drill exercises.
Frank D. Jonas was born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 21, 1899, the son of Richard A. and Adaline Jonas. He had six siblings: Ruth, Elsie, Richard, Robert, Arlene, and Edward. In February 1918, he enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Slocum, New York, and he joined Company B of the 65th Engineers Regiment at Camp Upton, New York, in early March. In late March 1918, he became a member of Company B, 326th Tank Corps. He trained at Camp Colt and Camp Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, and was sent overseas in September 1918. He served in England and in Bourg and St. Laurent, France, and returned home in the spring of 1919. His brothers Richard and Robert also served in the United States military during World War I. Frank D. Jonas lived in southeastern New York until his death in August 1978.