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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Dept. Navy . . DEP ARTMENT OF THE NAVY NAVAL WAR COLLEGE 686 CUSHING RD NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND 02841-1207 September 16, 1997 Ms. Marie Alsmeyer 1118 Clyde Drive Tyler, TX 75701-8024 Dear Ms. Alsmeyer: Th~nk you for your letter of September 8 and fer the book jacket. The Naval War college Library has your book, The Wav of the WAVES. in its collection, and I have consulted it and used it. for exhibits on Navy women in WWII. About four years ago, I began an oral history project interviewing Rhode Island women, both enlisted and officers, who served in the WAVES in WWII to commemorate them during the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of WWII. I have interviewed over fifty women so far. This summer I entered my notice about the project in WHITE CAPS and the response has been phenomenal. Some women have taped their answers to the questions and others have written them out. The reminiscences will be used for historical research purposes as there is great interest in this topic. I am also collecting documentary evidence--photographs, imprints, scrapbooks, service records, miscellany--of that special time period in your life, so if you have any materials that you wish to donate, please do so. I am enclosing my questionnaire as you requested. Please add to or elaborate on it as each person's experiences, billets were so different. I look forward to hearing from you. sincerely yours, E~ ;~e;:;rF2- Head, Naval Historical Collection Enc: ." t. j 11I8 Clyde Dr Tyler TX 75701 October 20,1997 Evelyn M. Cherpak, Head, Naval Historical Collection Naval War College 688 Cushing Rd. Newport Rhode Island 02841-1207 Dear Ms. Cherpak. I am sorry that I did not return your questionnaire sooner, but we were in England and Scotland visiting our children last montt')o I will, however, answer as many questions as possible and look forward to the results of your historical research project. Most of the questions you submitted could be answered by a sentence or two from my book, "The Way of the WAVES" which you say you have in the Naval War College Library. /lOld WAVES Tales," is just a small collection of stories I received from readers. Both books are out of print (WIMSA purchased all remaining copies). Both books can be reprinted if necessary. The original letters, first seven years of WAVES Nat'l WHITE CAPS, scrapbook etc. are in the Naval Archives (or somewhere up there!). It was so refreshing to answer your questions. . . then reading my book, remembering those wonderful days so man years ago. In fact, I feel most of your questions came directly from "The Way of the WAVES"! Sincerely, '1 Marie Bennett Alsmeyer P.S. excuse the spelling errors etc. . .it comes with age! ~/ . DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY NA VAL WAR COLLEGE 686 CUSHING RD NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND 02841-1207 October 27, 1997 Mrs. Marie Alsmeyer 1118 Clyde Drive Tyler, Texas 75701-8024 Dear Marie: I want to thank you so much for answering my questionnaire on your service in the WAVES in World War II. Your reminiscences will be catalogued and preserved in the College archives where they will be open to scholarly researchers who have an interest in women in the military. I hope to make the Naval Historical Collection a major depository for information on military women in wartime. Your memories of that special time in your life have helped immensely in this effort. I appreciate your cooperation and your support of this project. Sincerely yours, ~#1.~L Evelyn M. Cherpak Head, Naval Historical Collection