William A. Spratt Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-1100

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The papers of William A. Spratt consist of approximately 1.25 linear feet of letters, photos and related printed material from his period of service in the U.S. First and Third Army during World War II.

Dates

Creation: 1913-2007

Extent

1.5 Cubic Feet

Creator

Spratt, William A. (Person)

Scope and Contents

The William A. Spratt Papers consist of correspondence, photographs, scrapbook material and printed items related to his service during World War II with both the U.S. Third and First Armies. Early letters written while he was at Fort Sam Houston as the driver for General Courtney H. Hodges cover news of camp life, activities of his father Lester, war news, and details of his own assignments. Only three letters are included after William was assigned to Europe, written while he was in England in May of 1944, with stamped notations that they were passed by the censors. The postwar correspondence is primarily of a social nature as responses to Christmas cards sent to military friends.

Using the correspondence as well as personal interviews, William A. Thompson, a nephew of William Spratt produced a biography “The Travels of Uncle Bill Spratt” that covers both his experiences in the war and post-war life. Additional printed material in the collection focuses primarily on the War, with numerous books related specifically to the European Theater of Operations, the battles and generals involved, with a couple of items dealing with a postwar reunion tour Spratt took in 1971 and general reunions of the Third Army or special observances or anniversaries.

The photographic segment of the collection, while small, includes several personally signed and inscribed photos from Generals Hodges, Bradley, and Keen along with snapshot photos of various places Spratt visited while serving as a driver. While William Spratt’s wartime experience might not be seen as typical, his service as a driver does provide a glimpse of a personal aspect of the war.

Biographical Sketch

William A. Spratt was born on January 18, 1915 in Van Wert, Ohio to Lester and Pearl (Redlinger) Spratt. After a brief stint in the Civilian Conservation Corps William saw service during World War II first with the Third Army in Texas, where he served as the personal chauffeur of General Courtney H. Hodges, and then to Europe when Hodges took command of the First Army in Europe. In that position Spratt was part of many of the pivotal events of the war, including D-Day, crossing the Rhine at Remagen, and meeting the Russians at the Elbe River. William Spratt attained the rank of Master Sergeant before he was discharged and returned home.

Married in 1945 to Geraldine F. Saunders, he worked before the war at Electric Auto-Lite, and after the war for his dad’s trucking company, and finally for International Harvester, where he worked in Fort Wayne until his retirement in 1980. Active in such organizations as the American Legion, Masons, and Elks, Spratt died on September 11, 2007 at the age of 92.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restricvtions.

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.