Folders 251-260: 18 July-26 July 1944

Containers:

3, 6

Scope and content:

Writes a letter on the back of an old Outgoing Dispatch form; has a going-away dinner for Lt. Crockett. Is now reading Willard Price’s “Japan’s Islands of Mystery;” talks about the “German Army leaders revolt,” referring to the July 20 plot; talks about the Japanese home situation. Listens to parts of the Democratic National Convention on the radio; speculates about the relationship between FDR’s interest in the Pope and the US’s official stance towards Loyalist Spain, DeGaulle, and the Italian king. Hears that Truman has won the Vice Presidency nomination from the Democrats. Goes to see the movie “The Mask of Dimitrios;” comments on the factors that he thinks led to the nomination of Truman over Wallace. Talks about registering for classes at the camp, and how most people are using them as a spring-board to being a petty officer; mentions a quote of Churchill saying that the war will be over sooner than previously thought; talks about the possibility of racial problems if the economy goes bad. Keeps getting in discussions with the boys around the barracks about the “negro matter.” Hears from Russian writers grumblings about the lack of progress the Allied armies are making in Normandy. Talks about an oil drought at the camp; talks about the organization of the camp library, and how it is designed to be as uncontroversial as possible.

Access and use