LaVerne Snyder and Harold Patten letters

The LaVerne Snyder and Harold Patten letters records their daily life during World War II. The bulk of the collection features letters written between LaVerne Snyder, Harold Patten, and a few family members and friends from March 1941 to September 1945. The collection also contains a sub-series of photographs of Harold during his time in the army and a couple of newspaper clippings sent in the mail between the couple.

The correspondence is supported by a variety of ephemera, including a diary entry written by Laverne Snyder from January to March during an unknown year, holiday cards, and an Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Resurrection bulletin in Augusta, Georgia, 1942. There is also a War Department pamphlet on “Sex Hygiene and Venereal Diseases,” a sheet outlining the “General Orders for Guard No. 5,” and a message from the Army Commander about the importance of maintaining equipment and payroll. The collection provides a glimpse into the life of a Wood County, Ohio Infirmary employee and a United States soldier during World War II. The general correspondence from Laverne Snyder provides a detailed picture of daily life (weddings, births, dinners, work experience) and community happenings in Bowling Green, Ohio. The letters sent from Harold Patten provide a detailed picture of the daily life of a solider including troop movement, domestic military camp life, and overseas injuries.