Overview of the Collection Creator Crain, Jack Title Jack Crain World War II letters Dates 1943-1945 (inclusive) 1943 1945 Quantity 1.0 linear foot, (2 manuscript boxes) Collection Number Coll 438 Summary Jack L. Crain of Tillamook, Oregon served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. This collection of letters, sent home to his parents in Oregon, documents his time spent in-service between 1943 and 1945, and focuses primarily on the every day experiences of serving overseas during war time. Repository University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives. UO Libraries--SPC, 1299 University of Oregon Eugene OR 97403-1299 Telephone: 541-346-3068 Fax: 541-346-3485 spcarref@uoregon.edu Access Restrictions Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections & University Archives Reading Room. Languages Sponsor English Historical Note A veteran of the United States Army s Pacific campaign during World War II, Jack Lee Crain (aka Crane) was born in Texas, on August 1, 1926. A 1930 federal census places him in Tillamook, Oregon where he grew up as the second child of Elza W. and Bernise L. Crain; his sister Betty was four years his senior. Records indicate that Jack enlisted in the Army on April 8, 1943 in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Tillamook High School just a month later on May 27, 1943. Crain was assigned to a mechanized infantry unit that supported U.S. combat operations in the Pacific Theater. He is believed to have died at the age of 79 in Cottage Hills, Illinois in 2005. Content Description The Jack Crain World War II letters offer a highly personalized look at military life from the point of view of a young Oregonian serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Many of the letters offer candid reflections and humorous observances about military life, especially the food. Of special note are the http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 1
personal pleas to his mother to stop sending him Christmas packages, and to instead send them to soldiers who have no families to send them mail or packages. The collection further represents a firsthand effort to record characteristics and customs of some of the peoples and places Crain encountered in the Pacific Theater during the war. Crain's collection of letters, though spanning just two years, document his many moves among several strategic islands throughout the Northern Pacific. The two islands where he spends most of his time in-service are New Guinea and the Philippines. His letters provide few details about his life postenlistment. Use of the Collection Preferred Citation [Identification of item], Jack Crain World War II letters, Coll 438, Special Collections & University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, Eugene, Oregon. Restrictions on Use Property rights reside with Special Collections & University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections & University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder. Archival material may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal and/or state right to privacy laws and other regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g. a cause of action for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of Oregon assumes no responsibility. If a researcher finds sensitive personal information in a collection, please bring it to the attention of the reading room staff. Administrative Information Arrangement Collection is organized into the following series: letters and ephemera. The letters in this collection have not been arranged chronologically. Processing Note Collection processed by Gabriel Bleuwater. Detailed Description of the Collection http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 2
Series I: Letters, - Box, Folder Container(s) Description Dates Box Folder 1 1 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain (parents) Letter to parents, comments on Bill's promotion; asks mother to send holiday packages to other "swell fellows" from Tillamook in lieu of him; asks mother to tell others back home to write/send more letters for soldiers who have no one to write them. 1 1 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents, comments on Bill's promotion; asks mother to send holiday packages to other "swell fellows" from Tillamook in lieu of him; asks mother to tell others back home to write/send more letters for soldiers who have no one to write them. 1 1 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents, comments it does not feel like Christmas. 1 1 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 2 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; thanks mother and Betty (sister) for sending hard candy and mail. 1 2 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents, asks for stationary and pipes. 1 2 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 2 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 3 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain [envelope only] October 24, October 6, December 24, 1943- June 19, June 22, December 31, 1943- circa March 22, February 6, circa July 8, http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 3
1 3 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 3 Change of address card to Mr. E. W. Crain Change of address card. 1 3 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; moved to new location for "outpost duty;" talks about pushing Japanese to next hill; limited rations, Filipino guerrillas, and bombing and strafing close by, and cannot send home war-trophies anymore. 1 3 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain [letter originally unopened] 1 4 Jack Crain to Mrs. R. S. Johnson Letter to sister "Betty;" talks about slow mail delivery and his concerns about his parents with his sister. 1 4 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; tells them Jonny's location/unit; asks mother to send him "pipefitters and film". 1 4 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; asks about Betty and her art. 1 4 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 5 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; writes from Hospital, evacuated by plane, first time in a plane. 1 5 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 5 Jack Crain to R. S. Johnson Letter to sister "Betty;" cannot figure out how Infantry gets airlifted so much Bully (corned) Beef. 1 5 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain [envelope faded beyond detail] Letter to parents; happy that his military portraits finally arrived, tells parents to guard the negative with their lives. October 12, [194?]- April 23, 1943- April 7, 1945- October 29, May 30, March 21, July 8, February 27, July 14, May 30, July 7, March 27, 1943- http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 4
1 6 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 6 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; sending money home to mother and father. 1 6 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain [Letter redacted by postal inspector; letter has cut outs in script field of final page] letter to parents; talks about Bob Hope's show (USO), Rex not KIA. 1 6 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to mother, dad, and Betty; talks about address changes; starts thinking about what to do after the war, not in a rush to get married, wishes Peggy was not his cousin. 1 7 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; Jimmy left again, does not know where; asks about various people back home. 1 7 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; saw Jimmy again; very hot for a winter in the tropics. 1 7 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; has not seen a dogfight for some time; talks about WACs and one WAC that wants to go to the front lines to write an article; talks about the people native to the land where he is but no longer in New Guinea. 1 7 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to mother only; talks about Mother's Day, apologizes for being a "fly in the ointment' in the past; talks about the end of the war in Germany; tells mother not to get her hopes up for his return before the end of the war. 1 8 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain [Letter redacted by postal inspector; letter has cut outs in script field of final page] letter to parents; tries to hint to his parents his location [redacted]; received 22 letters; talks about how girls are the center of all conversations. 1 8 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain July 11, October 4, 1944 October 5, September 22, March 3, July 8, December 28, May 5, 1945- August 1, April 18, http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 5
1 8 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 8 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; saw Jimmy, just got out of hospital. 1 9 Jack Crain to Mrs. R. S. Johnson Letter to "Sis". 1 9 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; VE day (Victory in Europe) changes nothing in the pacific; sending sandals home as gifts. 1 9 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; Germany "washed up"; asks if his diploma was ever received from Mr. Skinner; Jimmy has slight case of shell-shock. 1 9 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents and Betty; was in Manila for rest and relaxation. 1 10 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents and Betty; wishes mother happy birthday; does not know what he wants to do when he gets out of the army, will put in for an early-out option. 1 10 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 10 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents and Betty; written at the staging area, about to be deployed. 1 10 Jack Crain to Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to "My Dear Bernise", written in France; not from Jack Crain, maybe written by Eugene; tells of celebrating VE Day (Victory in Europe) in Paris; contains a 4 page typed document of basic training at Ft. Oglethorpe and deployment to France; talks about military food and drilling exercises. March 27, May 5, June 9, May 9, 1945- May 11, 1945- June 15, 1945- July 19, 1945- April 24, September 4, May 23, 1945-1 11 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain December 21, http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 6
Letter to parents; talks of wash day and beating his clothes clean; acquired a new cot, slept well; wants to get rid of a Japanese rifle. 1 11 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 11 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents but talks to father; says he is twenty years old. 1 11 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; talks about digging latrines. 1 12 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 12 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; contains one black and white photograph of one child and two toddlers. 1 12 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; sent mother beads and sea shells. 1 12 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 13 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; asks to be sent popcorn. 1 13 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 13 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 13 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents and Betty; talks about low morale due to no mail; not anxious to get back up north. 1 14 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Short note that originally accompanied some negatives. 1 14 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; sending money home or a new car. March 22, 1945- October 6, January 26, 1943- September 2, October 20, 1945- June 1, December 7, June 21, July 3, June 27, September 20, January 9, 1945- January 10, http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 7
1 14 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; talks about Filipino reaction of a western movie; does not like hanging around civilians (Filipinos) because they cannot understand each other. 1 14 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; asks for film. 1 15 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; asks to be sent "dress material". 1 15 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 15 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 15 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; letter damaged heavily from ink water stains. 1 16 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; letter damaged heavily from ink water stains. 1 16 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 16 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 16 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; left hospital to see a show; met someone he knows on the return trip. 1 17 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain A short note to parents that Jack is leaving back to his outfit. 1 17 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; still at hospital; "eating like a king." 1 17 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain January 6, 194?- March 20, July 5, 1945- April 16, April 12, April 29, 194?- April 24, 194?- May 19, 1945- December 30, July 20, undated- July 17, June 9, http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 8
1 17 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 18 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain [letter originally unopened] 1 18 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; asks for T-shirts. 1 18 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 18 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; talks about an enemy plane flying overhead. 1 19 Jack Crain to Mr. Elza Crain Letter too faded to be discerned. 1 19 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; sending photos and negatives to parents. 1 19 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Two short notes in one envelope; note one states he just arrived in his new unit (Armored Infantry); likes it fine. Note two, just finished with eleven hours of KP. 1 19 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; had photos taken in New Guinea. [Letter looks like it was written over in pencil to preserve faded message in ink.] 1 20 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; has some "native" things to send home, trying to get more to send as gifts. 1 20 Jack Crain to Crain Family Letter to Crain Family; states that things are finally quiet, appears to be writing about a combat experience. [Letter faded and/or bled through quite badly.] 1 20 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Four numbered pages, 2-4; no page 1. August 5, September 24, September 28, May 17, April 7, April 5, April 15, April 21, April 22, 1944 February 4, March 24, February 12, - http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 9
1 20 Jack Crain to Mrs. R. S. Johnson Letter to Betty; 3-page letter, has 5-sided cut out (2 x 1.5inches) that affect all three pages. Cut does not appear to be from mail inspector. 1 21 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; just arrived in the Philippines 1 21 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; gives instructions on what to send and not to send in packages; no more gum-balls! 1 21 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain [Letter heavily faded and bled through (ink).] 1 21 Jack Crain to Mrs. R. S. Johnson Letter to Betty; talks about officer and pilot named Rod; has not heard from "the fellows" lately, speculates that they are back in action. 1 22 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; saw Jimmy; talks about taking medication. 1 22 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; having a great day, returned from the hills and will soon drink some 3.2 beer, Christmas packages were waiting for them; will send photos of Filipinos so parents can see what they look like. 1 22 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter addressed Dear Sir; asks for negatives that have been OK'd by base censors; wants to send them home. 1 22 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; Philippine mahogany wood reminds him of home. 1 23 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; parents upset over "oil deal," does not want them to work too hard for him and his return home. 1 23 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Short note stating money is for Jimmy, Kay, and Dick. July 25, 19744- December 7, March 18, February 19, 1945- November 2, June 10, January 3, June 4, March 9, 1945- April 6, 1945- March 26, 1945- http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 10
1 23 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 23 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; Jimmy in Hospital with fever. 1 24 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 24 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 24 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; page 2 missing one-fifth of page. 1 24 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 25 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 25 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 25 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 1 25 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain 2 1 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; very happy, received forty-five letters or packages. 2 1 Jack Crain to Mrs. R. S. Johnson Letter to sister; has 1 roll of film but no camera; heard about Roger(?) being a POW. 2 1 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents and Betty; still in staging area. 2 1 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents and Betty; writes about what he misses at home. May 6, April 21, April 9, 1945- May 13, 1945- November 14, November 4, November 7, November 20, November 19, November 2, October 31, October 21, August 22, July 28, 194?- http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 11
2 2 Envelope addressed to Jack Crain Two letters to Jack. One letter on blue paper from Chuck in Minneapolis, asks about training, what Jack does on time off, and asks for a snapshot. Letter two on yellowed paper, from Chuck, asks whether Jack is engaged. 2 2 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; ran into an old friend (Jean?) at Hospital. 2 2 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; talks about rainy Philippines; some Filipino "convinced" him that he was a barber. 2 2 Mrs. E. W. Crain to Gill Bros. Seed Co. Letter from Mrs. E. W. Crain to seed company; states she finally received the remainder of the bulbs she ordered; would like to order more. 2 3 Jack Crain to the E. W. Crains Letter to parents; met another person from Tillamook. 2 3 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; still quiet in Philippines; asks what news about Philippines has been heard at home. 2 3 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; met up with Chas Hunter after the show. 2 3 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; talks about dentist as length. 2 4 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; will try to send a Japanese rifle first chance he gets; asks for a Parker 51 ink pen. 2 4 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; tells family not to believe rumors. 2 4 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; received cheese in the mail, was not spoiled. 2 4 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Letter to parents; received more mail and packages; does not like how he was described in newspaper back home. circa May 20, 1943- August 11, December 9, March 28, 1945- November 28, February 5, 1945- July 10, 1945- March 5, 1945- March 8, 1945- February 16, March 17, 1945- August 11, http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 12
2 5 Jack Crain letter Single page from an unknown letter. 2 5 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Victory mail to parents. 2 5 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Crain Victory mail to parents. 2 5 Jack Crain to Mr. and Mrs. And Betty Crain Victory mail Season's Greetings from Jack to parents and sister. March 6, April 14, undated- Series II: Ephemera, - Box, Folder Container(s) Description Dates Box Folder 2 5 Stamps Envelope with used WWII era stamps. - 2 5 Tillamook High School Commencement Itinerary 1943- Names and Subjects Subject Terms : Military World War II Soldiers--Oregon--Correspondence World War, 1939-1945--Correspondence World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives Geographical Names : United States--Oregon--Tillamook County (Or.)--Tillamook (Or.) Finding aid prepared by Finding aid prepared by Gabriel Bleuwater and Rachel Lilley. 2014 http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv85595 13
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