Joseph Francis Dever Second World War correspondence

Series — Box: WWII 13, Folder: 5-7, Folder: 1-3

Identifier: 2016-098-w-r

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection contains the correspondence and photographs of Private Joseph Francis Dever, United States Army, during the Second World War. He writes home to his father, mother, and sister Kathryn. His earlier letters are written from Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he received his basic training in the medium tank division. His later letters are written from overseas. He served in France, Germany, and Belgium. He describes himself as a "first class housemaid" completing chores of bed-making, dish-washing, and floor-scrubbing. He was very fond of Life Savers and hot cocoa, as he makes repeated requests throughout his letters to his family to send him these items. He also indicates several times he is sending home foreign currency to his sister, who is collecting it. He shows interest and concern for his future in several letters in the spring of 1945 where he indicates a desire to attend Boston College.

Letters of note include the letter dated April 1, 1944, where he describes his eagerness to see action: "We have just started on our .30 caliber Browning machine gun 1919 model, the fastest, most accurate, and light machine gun in the war. I wouldn't mind being behind one of these babies in combat pouring lead into the bellies of the Japs or Germans."

Letter dated March 9, 1945, concerns about benefits for veterans: "I'm rather concerned about this goverment sponsored education for verterans after this war. I'd like very much to be able to enter Boston College and receive full benefits from the plan and like also to be able to make a stab at getting a well-rounded education. It has occurred to me that it would be nice for me to know a language, higher mathematics like algebra or geometry, and the English language better."

March 12, 1945: "At the same time I am mailing this letter, I'm also mailing one to the dean of Boston College. Briefly I said that I desired to enter their institution; that I would work hard to be a credit to any college kind enough to offer me its learning; gave them a brief outline of my education; and asked them to file the letter that I would come for an interview after the war."

Memo dated May 29, 1945 from Lieutanant General J. Lawton Collins by command of Brigadier General [Truman Everett] Boudinot. The letter provides the 3rd Armored Division with an update on the status of the war and their efforts.

Dates

1944 March 19-1945 November 27

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Biographical / Historical

Joseph Francis Dever grew up in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and joined the army in February 1944 at the age of 19. He was part of the 33rd Armored Regiment, a combat unit of the 3rd Armored Division, also known as the "Spearhead Division." He trained at Fort Knox until serving overseas beginning in September, 1944. While in the service, he wrote letters home to his father, Joseph Francis Dever, Sr., his mother Mabelle, and his sister Kathryn. A record from Boston College shows he was awarded a degree on June 14, 1950 in Business Administration. He graduated magna cum laude.