Robert Baynham letters, 1945

Summary

Creator:

Baynham, Robert, 1915-2003

Abstract:

This collection contains four letters written by Robert Baynham, United States Merchant Marine, to his wife during the early months of 1945, when he served in the Pacific Theater.

Extent:

4 items

Language:

English

Authors:

Collection processed and finding aid created by Meg Hixon, November 2011

Background

Scope and Content:

This collection contains four letters written by Robert Baynham, United States Merchant Marine, to his wife during the early months of 1945, when he served in the Pacific theater. Each of the four letters was written over several days, providing running commentaries that he mailed when his ship reached port. He wrote primarily about everyday life at sea, and discussed his work duties, the weather, and fellow sailors, though censorship prevented him from describing more specific military movements. Throughout his letters, he told his wife of his eagerness to return to the United States, and he looked forward to the end of the war: "When will this be over? Our enemies just seem to hang on though they are losing ground day by day…" (February 13, 1945). He reported receiving care packages from his wife's family, and on several occasions, wrote his wife about their garden and chickens.

Biographical / Historical:

Robert S. Baynham (June 14, 1915-May 15, 2003) of Portland, Oregon, served in the United States Merchant Marine as a 1st engineer for the Pacific Atlantic Steamship Company during the Second World War. He married sometime before 1945.

Acquisition Information:

2003. M-4320.10 .

Processing information:

Cataloging funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). This collection has been processed according to minimal processing procedures and may be revised, expanded, or updated in the future.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Rules or Conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Subjects

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Subjects:

Merchant marine--United States--History--20th century.
World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, American.
World War, 1939-1945--Pacific Ocean.

Formats:

Letters (correspondence)