Frederick J. Karlson, Military Correspondence

All of the correspondence is filed chronologically, with letters that Karlson received with those he sent to his family, along with those occasionally sent by friends. The majority of the letters are addressed to “Dear Mother and Lottie,” Karlson’s mother and sister, Charlotte, living in Gothenburg, Nebraska. There are also letters to his sister “Elvina” living in Los Angeles, California, and another sister or friend named “Ruth.” About 3 letters from Karlson’s mother are written in Swedish. 

A friend, Edgar Sholund, who also served in the military, wrote both to Charlotte and Mrs. Karlson mother. The letters document Karlson’s experiences at basic training, things that he would like to have sent from home, and in 1943, information about quarantines in his barracks due to measles, scarlet fever, and mumps. He also provides information on basic training, classes, and military protocol.

Many of the letters written in 1945 detail Karlson’s travels and sightseeing when visiting various cities in Italy.  He sent home numerous photographs from North Africa and from Italy.