William T. Sheaffer Papers, 1943
(Manuscript Collection #671)
Descriptive Summary
| Title: | William T. Sheaffer Papers |
| Creator: | Sheaffer, William T. |
| Repository: | ECU Manuscript Collection |
| Languages: | English |
| Abstract: | Papers (1943) including correspondence, and an abstracted account of this correspondence entitled "Loneliness and Humor, Frustration and Pride." |
| Extent: | 0.055 Cubic feet, 46 items , consisting of correspondence and an abstracted account of this correspondence entitled "Loneliness & Humor, Frustration & Pride" |
Administrative Information
Accessions Information
December 6, 1993, 46 items; Correspondence (1943) from U.S. Navy draftee stationed at U.S. Naval Training Station, Bainbridge, MD, along with a copy of an abstracted account entitled "Loneliness & Humor, Frustration & Pride." Gift of Mr. William T. Sheaffer, Silver Spring, MD.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions
Copyright Notice
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.
Preferred Citation
William T. Sheaffer Papers (#671), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Acquisition Information
- Gift of Mr. William T. Sheaffer
Processing Information
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Processed by D. Painter, December 1994
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Encoded by Apex Data Services
Biographical / Historical Note
William T. Sheaffer (b. 1918), enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves (1936) and participated in cruises aboard the destroyers USS ELLIS (DD-154) and USS DECATUR (DD-341). He was drafted (1943) and undertook basic training at the Naval Training Station in Bainbridge, MD, where he was qualified Y3c and assigned to the base personnel office. In December he was transferred to the Naval barracks in Washington, DC, and worked as a passenger transportation agent.
Description
The collection consists of correspondence to Sheaffer's wife, Ginny, written during basic training and his assignment at Bainbridge. Letters describe the details of boot camp, including rules and regulations, punishments for infractions (September 5, 1943), cleaning barracks, guard duty, and KP duty (September 25-27, 1943). Also mentioned are high food costs, physical exams, inoculations, drills, talks, pay and promotion concerns, and laundry. A copy of "Ahoy There Mates" is included with information on National Service Life Insurance (September 6, 1943). A Benny Goodman United Services Organization (USO) tour is mentioned (September 22, 1943) as are various radio programs, including "Charlie McCarthy" (October 22, 1943). Finally, an edited account of Sheaffer's letters describing his boot camp experiences entitled "Loneliness & Humor, Frustration & Pride" completes the collection.
Online access to this finding aid is supported with funds created through the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). These funds come through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services which is administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. This grant is part of the North Carolina ECHO, Exploring Cultural Heritage Online, Digitization Grant Program.
