This collection is made up of 30 letters that Cecelia Jones of Kenton, Ohio, wrote to her son Daniel from May 14, 1943-March 5, 1944, while he served in the United States Army. His brother-in-law, Herbert L. Fish, sent him 1 letter (February 18, 1944).
Shortly after Daniel left home, Cecelia inquired about his experiences in camp. She shared news of Daniel's sisters, Louise, Ruth, and Grace (a nurse), and provided information about other soldiers from Kenton, Ohio. These soldiers included a man who had lost most of his hearing and another who had received a dishonorable discharge for recurring absences without leave. Many of Cecelia's letters from 1943 concern her attempts to receive benefits from the U.S. War Department as a dependent.
After January 14, 1944, the letters reflect Daniel's mental and physical health problems. His mother encouraged him to improve his outlook and to approach the situation with optimism, while his brother-in-law, Herbert L. Fish, took a harsher tone by reproaching Daniel for complaining and suggesting that he take care of his responsibilities (February 18, 1944). Cecelia Jones enclosed additional correspondence with her letters, including a typed letter from Louise to her mother (June 24, 1943) and a rebus from a woman named Mary (February 13, 1944). Daniel Jones also received newspaper clippings about overcoming shyness, soldiers from Kenton, military dependents' benefits, army life (humorous cartoons), and concept car designs.
Daniel C. Jones was born in Kenton, Ohio, in 1924, the son of Cecelia and Dean Jones. He had three older sisters: Louise, Ruth, and Grace. Jones enlisted in the United States Army in April 1943 and trained at Seymour Johnson Field in North Carolina (now Seymour Johnson Air Force Base) from May-June 1943. In July 1943, he transferred to Peterson Field, Colorado (now Peterson Air Force Base), where he served with the 949th Engineer Aviation Topographic Company. Around November 1943, he moved to Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma, where he joined the 950th Engineer Topographic Company. While at Will Rogers Field, he suffered from a mental and physical illness, and he spent much of January and February 1944 in the base hospital. Daniel Jones's father died before the war and his mother, Cecelia Jones, lived in Kenton, Ohio. His sister Louisa Jones and her husband, Dr. Herbert L. Fish, lived in Springfield, Ohio.
