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Frederick J. Karlson, Military Correspondence

 Collection — Box: 001
Identifier: MS-0304

Scope and Contents

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.

Dates

  • 1942-1945

Creator

Biographical or Historical Information

In 1942 Frederick J. Karlson entered the United States Military, 2nd Platoon, Company C, 87th Battalion, as a private, beginning his duties at Camp Roberts, California. After basic training he went to Headquarters, First Replacement Depot, Camp Ord, Monteray Bay, California. In August of 1942, he was station in New York, though by September 1942, he had been sent to Camp Pickett, Virginia. In January of 1943 he went overseas to North Africa. During 1945, he traveled or lived in Italy and Austria. Karlson arrived back in the United States in December 1945 and was discharged in California.

Extent

1.00 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Swedish

Status
Unprocessed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries Repository

Contact:
Archives & Special Collections
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries
P.O. Box 884100
Lincoln NE 68588-4100 United States
402-472-2531