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"SC20575"
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Title
Papers, 1941-1946
Author
Gershkoff, Myra Strachner, 1926-1997.
Pages:
13
Item info:
2 copies available at Manuscripts and Special Collections.
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Manuscripts and Special Collections
Copy
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Location
SC20575
1
MANUSCRIPT
N (nocirc)
SC20575 BOX 7
1
MANUSCRIPT
V (nocirc)
MARC Record
Papers, 1941-1946
Gershkoff, Myra Strachner, 1926-1997.
Control Number:
(OCoLC)122601679
Local call number:
SC20575
Author:
Gershkoff, Myra Strachner, 1926-1997.
Title:
Papers, 1941-1946.
Other title:
Myra Strachner Gershkoff, Papers, 1941-1946
Quantity:
13 boxes (ca. 4.0 cubic ft.)
Historical/biog note:
Myra Strachner was born on January 16, 1926, and lived in the Bronx, New York. During the years of World War II, she lived at home with her parents and sister while attending New York University, where she took philosophy courses from Sidney Hook. She passed away in April 1997.
Historical/biog note:
Bernie Staller was born in 1926 and lived in the Bronx, New York. He interrupted his studies at the City College of New York when he was inducted into the army in February, 1944, and was sent to Fort Dix. In March, 1944, Bernie was transferred to Camp Wolters, Texas, for basic training. He was assigned to the 53rd Infantry Battalion, 4th Platoon, an anti-tank corps. He completed basic training in July, 1944, and was sent to Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi, where he was assigned to Company B of the 255th Regiment, 63rd Division of the 4th Army. In November, 1944, Bernie was deployed in France, where his division was attached to the 7th Army. He was killed in action on March 19, 1945, on the Siegfried Line during a German artillery barrage.
Summary:
These papers are comprised of approximately 700 letters between Myra Strachner and PFC Bernard (Bernie) Staller during the years of World War II. They began their correspondence when they were 15 years old, while they were both living in the Bronx. The correspondence becomes voluminous when Bernie was inducted into the army in early 1944. Myra's letters from the home front describe her life as a student at New York University, as well as her relationships with her family and friends. She freely and eloquently expresses her feelings, ideas and hopes. Myra took particular interest in her philosophy courses with Sidney Hook, and she describes his teaching methods, opinions, and warm interest in her. Bernie completed his basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas between March and July, 1944. His letters describe in detail his daily routine and training exercises, as well as his social life off base. Between July and November, 1944, Bernie received further training at Camp Van Dorn, Mississippi, where he was attached to an anti-tank company with the 63rd Division of the 4th Army. Bernie's letters offer detailed descriptions of life in this camp, the regulations, training exercises, work details and social life. In November, 1944, Bernie was deployed in France, from where his letters provide excellent descriptions of infantry life during the final months of the war. He tells of life in a foxhole, various billeting arrangements, army rations, and conditions in the local towns. Bernie describes his involvement in defensive actions and in patrols on the front line. Bernie's last letter is dated March 14, 1945. Three weeks later, he was reported missing in action. Over the following week, Myra continued to write him, hopeful that he was safe. Her last letter is dated April 15, 1945. The following day, the Staller family was informed of Bernie's death on the Siegfried Line on March 19. Myra's letters to Bernie between February and April, 1945, were returned to her unopened and marked "Deceased." Thereafter Myra received letters from Bernie's army friends, who tell of the circumstances of Bernie's death and express their sympathy.
Index notes:
Unpublished finding aid available in the repository and online: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc20575.htm
Personal subject:
Gershkoff, Myra Strachner, 1926-1997 Correspondence.
Personal subject:
Staller, Bernard, 1926-1945 Correspondence.
Personal subject:
Hook, Sidney, 1902-1989.
Corporate subject:
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 63rd.
Corporate subject:
United States. Army. Infantry--Drill and tactics.
Corporate subject:
New York University--Students Correspondence.
Corporate subject:
New York University. fast (OCoLC)fst00533139
Corporate subject:
United States. Army. Infantry. fast (OCoLC)fst00577231
Corporate subject:
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 63rd. fast (OCoLC)fst00633531
Conference subject:
World War (1939-1945) fast (OCoLC)fst01180924
Subject:
World War, 1939-1945 Personal narratives.
Subject:
World War, 1939-1945--Participation, Jewish.
Subject:
Jewish soldiers Correspondence.
Subject:
Armed Forces--Drill and tactics. fast (OCoLC)fst01351764
Subject:
Jewish soldiers. fast (OCoLC)fst00983018
Subject:
Military participation--Jewish. fast (OCoLC)fst01353735
Subject:
Students. fast (OCoLC)fst01136041
Geographic terms:
New York (N.Y.)--History Sources.
Geographic terms:
New York (N.Y.)--Social life and customs.
Geographic terms:
United States--History--1933-1945.
Geographic terms:
New York (State)--New York. fast (OCoLC)fst01204333
Geographic terms:
United States. fast (OCoLC)fst01204155
Form/genre terms:
Letters. aat
Form/genre terms:
Transcripts. aat
Form/genre terms:
Photographs. aat
Form/genre terms:
Ephemera. aat
Form/genre terms:
Sound recordings. aat
Form/genre terms:
History. fast (OCoLC)fst01411628
Personal author:
Staller, Bernard, 1926-1945.
Electronic access:
Finding aid: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc20575.htm
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