O.V. "Jack" Burgman Second World War correspondence
Collection — Box: WWII 21, Folder: 7, Folder: 1
Identifier: 2017-261-w-r
Content Description
This collection contains eight correspondence from Anne Kallas to her fiancé SSgt. O.V. "Jack" Burgman, USAAF and one response letter from Bergman to Anne. Anne discussed the home front but mentions the war breifly at times. He was listed as Missing in Action in May 1944 and all letters addressed to him are stamped "Missing" and dated 6/27/44 and signed. Included is one black and white photograph of the two of them sent with his May 16 letter.
SSgt. Bergman, in his one response on May 16, 1944 mentions the war very briefly, noting the meaning of the word "flak" and why it is not a good thing. He also thought he shot down a German ME 109 plane but got no credit as it was not seen crashing, but he still expected to get an "air medal" soon.
On May 22, Anne notes “Gee, Hon, at the rate you’re going, now, it shouldn’t take you very long to get in all of your missions. It sounds like they’ve really been keeping you busy lately.” On May 29, she continues acknowledging the war by pointing out that the paper said out of 93 enemy planes shot down, 32 were bomber gunners and she thought that maybe one of them was him.
The May 27 letter has well preserved lipstick from a kiss.
On June 2, Anne acknowledges the impending Normandy invasion of D-Day. It is inferred that she heard about it somehow and that's why she has not been receiving letters, same as many of her friends, and thus expects to receive letters once the invasion is over.
SSgt. Bergman, in his one response on May 16, 1944 mentions the war very briefly, noting the meaning of the word "flak" and why it is not a good thing. He also thought he shot down a German ME 109 plane but got no credit as it was not seen crashing, but he still expected to get an "air medal" soon.
On May 22, Anne notes “Gee, Hon, at the rate you’re going, now, it shouldn’t take you very long to get in all of your missions. It sounds like they’ve really been keeping you busy lately.” On May 29, she continues acknowledging the war by pointing out that the paper said out of 93 enemy planes shot down, 32 were bomber gunners and she thought that maybe one of them was him.
The May 27 letter has well preserved lipstick from a kiss.
On June 2, Anne acknowledges the impending Normandy invasion of D-Day. It is inferred that she heard about it somehow and that's why she has not been receiving letters, same as many of her friends, and thus expects to receive letters once the invasion is over.
Dates
- 1944 May 11-1944 June 3
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.
Biographical / Historical
Staff Sergeant Orin Verne "Jack" Burgman, United States Army Air Force (3/1924 - 5/24/1944) was born in Port Angeles Washington to his parents Orin and Julia and was engaged to his fiancee Anne Kallas, who signed her letters "Annabella," during the Second World War. SSgt. Burgman served as a bomber gunner in the 334th Bomb Squadron, 95th Bomber Group. He flew missions out of England and even thought he had shot down at least one German ME 109. Unfortunately, he was listed as Missing in Action in May 1944 during this correspondence. Anne and his mother went to the San Francisco area shortly after her letters were returned and he was not accounted for to get answers, but they were never given any information. SSgt. Burgman's body was never found and a grave was created for him at Arlington Cemetery, with his name listed on a tombstone along with twelve other Air Corps service members as having died May 24, 1944.
Extent
.05 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collectin contains eight correspondence from Anne Kallas to her fiancee SSgt O.V. "Jack" Burgman, USAAF, and one return letter during the Second World War.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Karen Anderson.
- Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945 Subject Source: Local sources
- United States -- Army -- Air Forces -- Bombardier Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States -- Army Air Forces -- Aerial gunnery Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Battlefields -- France Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Campaigns -- France -- Normandy. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Casualties Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- England Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Europe Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Homefront Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Missing in action. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Photography Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War (1939-1945) -- Women Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Finding Aid for the O.V. "Jack" Burgman Second World War correspondence
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Andrew Harman
- Date
- 7/18/2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Center for American War Letters Archives Repository
