Ellard-Murphree-Pilgreen-Smith Family Papers Collection
Language Note: We recognize that items in this collection use outdated and/or racist language. Unless otherwise noted, this is the language used by the record creator(s) and not imposed by the Beulah Culbertson Archives and Special Collections. Visit our website to read our harmful language policy.
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Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; March 12, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny boy discusses the newspaper to which he has access, Stars and Stripes, which he explains includes comics about Terry and the Pirates and Lil Abner. Furthermore, Sonny explains that he limited in what he is able to share about his position but does explain that he is working differently than how he had been prepared to work in the army.
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Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; March 13, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Besides reading letters he receives, Sonny Boy can be entertained by singing with the other soldiers and watching a kind of "picture show" (2). Thus, Sonny Boy requests that his mother send him lines from certain songs that he desires to be able to sing.
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Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; March 19, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy explains that censorship limits what he can say in his letters. He explains how he is going to improve his bonds and gives a sense of what some of the other men he knows are like.
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Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; March 2, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy tells his mother that he is doing well in his current base camp, that he is happy, and that even though his letters to her are censored, hers are not.
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Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; November 20, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy tells his mother about another package and letters he received. He describes his sleeping arrangements at his current location, from fox holes to hay lofts, commenting that he doesn't think he could actually sleep in a real bed. He reassures his mother not to worry about him.
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Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; November 25, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy writes to his mother on Thanksgiving about his well-being and football.
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Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith, October 12, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy says the mail has been held up, and he hasn't written in a while because he needs air mail stamps. He has received pictures from his mother, describes the land where he is, and assures his mother of his well-being.
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Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 14, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy interprets how the German prisoners of war and some of the American soldiers perceive the probability of the war's result. He discusses some of the fighting going on around him.
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Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 20, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
The Jewish man Sonny Boy mentioned in past letters almost shot him, seemingly by accident, so the former was moved to a new company. Sonny Boy gets a visit from a clubmobile with people playing records as well as coffee and donuts for the soldiers.
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Letter from Sonny Boy Smith to Pauline Smith; October 24, 1944
Sam Ellard Smith
Sonny Boy has received some photographs from his mother. He anticipates Sleech Parker shall be sent to the Pacific Campaign after he completes his training. Furthermore, Sonny Boy and his fellow soldiers received badges for fighting in the infantry.