Papers (1942-1947) include correspondence related to the World War II U.S. Navy careers of Frank A. Bartimo and his brother-in-law Richard Toomey, and Bartimo's civilian life with the Army's Judge Advocate section stationed in post-war Heidelberg, Germany.
Frank Antonio Bartimo was born December 8, 1914,in Loeminster, Massachusetts, to Constintino L. Bartimo and Concretta Gallo. After graduating from Clark University in 1941, he attended law school at George Washington University, graduating in 1944. He resided in the Washington, DC, area and worked in Secretary of State Cordell Hull's office before World War II.
Bartimo was commissioned as an ensign in the Naval Reserve on August 21st, 1944, and trained at the U.S. Naval Training Station in Newport, Rhode Island. Bartimo served (August-October, 1945) on the aircraft carrier USS LOS ANGELES (CA-135) but saw no action.
He was discharged, and as a civilian was employed by the Army's Judge Advocate section in Heidelberg, Germany (December 1946-February 1947). He worked as an attorney with the Air Force and then in various positions with the Secretary of Defense. He received a Meritorious Civilian Service Award and a Distinguished Civilian Service Award from the Defense Department. Bartimo married Kathryn D. Toomey on September 5, 1940. Frank A. Bartimo died on August 13, 1997, and is buried in Holy Rosary Cemetery in Spencer, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Sources: Find A Grave. Research done by Patrick Testa using Bartimo's WWII Draft Card and Social Security applications/claims, newspapers, and Ancestry.com.
The collection consists of Bartimo's letters to his wife, Kay, and also contains letters from Bartimo's brother-in-law, Richard Toomey, to his sister, Kay. Toomey joined the Navy and trained at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station (April-September 1942) and served (October 1942-August 1945) on the light cruiser USS CLEVELAND (CL-55).
The collection's early correspondence concerns Toomey's training experiences. Included are sites around Chicago, IL, such as the Marshall Field Museum, the Schlitz Brewery, and exotic architecture (May 31, 1942); the Plant Conservatory and Lincoln Park Zoo (July 13, 1942); and a circus (September 21, 1942). Toomey also mentions a visit by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the secrecy involved (September 21, 1942). Further correspondence mentions the training of African Americans as commandos (August 21, 1942); naval training (August 24, 1942); the high divorce rate among sailors due to infidelity (December 17, 1944); life on board the CLEVELAND (October 7, 1942- August 29, 1945); and the belief that all branches of the military disliked General Douglas MacArthur (September 22, 1945). Throughout Toomey's correspondence, the subjects of censorship and Toomey's low opinion of the Navy are expressed.
The later correspondence details Bartimo's training at the U.S. Naval Training Station in Newport, RI, including fire-fighting and abandoning-ship drills (March 27 and 29, 1945). One piece of correspondence from a friend in Washington, DC, discusses theArmy's Cadillac II program and its importance, as well as the new United Nations charter (June 24, 1945). While in Cuba during Bartimo's brief duty on the LOS ANGELES, he mentions the poor living conditions, prostitution, and the purchase of clothes, cigars, and perfume (September 3-31, 1945).
Post-war correspondence from Heidelberg, Germany, is particularly interesting and throughout the letters Bartimo discusses the poor living conditions; anti-occupation and anti-American feelings; and forms of entertainment such as cocktail parties, clubs, and skiing (December 15, 1946-February 5, 1947). Also detailed are cases of embezzlement by American Army colonels and German civilians, and black market activities (December 20-26, 1946, February 1-2, 1947); alleged rape (January 1, 1947); and a dishonorable discharge for assault (January 15, 1947). Other topics discussed are venereal disease (December 21, 1946); adultery on board ship and in Germany (December 9, 1946, January 2, 1947); a relationship between a young African American man and a young German woman (February 1-2, 1947); and perceived concerns about a gay roommate (February 3, 1947).
Gift of Friends of ECU Library
Encoded by Apex Data Services.
Processing completed by S. Woodley in 2002.
Revised by Martha Elmore in 2023.
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.