Donald F. Rodawig papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-1048

Collection Overview

Abstract

The Donald F. Rodawig Papers consist of transcripts, with some photocopies, of original letters and a diary written by a physician serving during World War II.

Dates

  • Creation: 1938-1944

Extent

0.46 Cubic Feet (1 legal archives box)

Creator

Scope and Contents

The more extensive series of correspondence, primarily to his wife Mary but occasionally addressed to one of his children, covers a wide range of topics, but is more constrained due to censorship of V-Mail. He makes frequent references to friends and family affairs, particularly to activities of his children and economic decisions involving property and the medical practice he left in Spirit Lake. Within the limits of censorship, he also discusses medical situations of his work, the pride he takes in the job, references to new techniques being developed, and also such novelties as the new drug penicillin. Although work at the Station Hospital in Naples was intensive and there were some references to morale and the need for diversions, he also makes a point of describing the area and people around him, both while in North Africa and in Naples. One extensive series of V-Mails describes a visit to Rome, including an audience with the Pope.

As an example of the wartime experience of a member of the medical support services provided during World War II, the letters of Donald Rodawig provide a diverse and intelligent commentary.

Biographical / Historical

Donald F. Rodawig was born on February 10, 1905 in Saybrook, Illinois. As a young man he studied medicine at the University of Iowa, graduating in 1930. He interned at the Henry Ford Hospital, 1930-1931 and did a surgical residency at the Lucas County Hospital in Toledo, Ohio in 1931. Later studies also included a course in advanced surgical techniques at the University of Vienna between October 1938 and March 1939. At various times he served as an examiner for the Equitable Life Insurance Company, the New York Life Insurance Company, and the Insurance Society of the United States. Dr. Rodawig, along with Dr. Phillip Scott, was the co-owner and operator of the Spirit Lake Hospital in Spirit Lake, Iowa. He was married on July 17, 1926 to Mary Elizabeth Ellis of Mercer, Missouri, having a family of four children, Bill, Don, Sandra, and Susan.

Donald entered Army service in May of 1942 as a Captain. He was promoted to Major on February 29, 1944, holding the position of assistant chief of surgery of the 52nd Station Hospital, serving primarily in North Africa and at Naples.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The transcription agreement with the Center for Archival Collections was through the cooperation of Susan R. Reams of Perrysburg, Ohio, on May 16, 2006.

Processing Information

The transcriptions were prepared by student assistant David Kuebeck and the finding aid prepared by Marilyn Levinson, Curator of Manuscripts, in October 2006.

Title
Guide to the Donald F. Rodawig papers
Author
Marilyn Levinson, Madeleine Williams
Date
October 2006, February 2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin