from the Archives

1942 Postcard from WWII soldier to his mother

Read Time: 2 mins

In honor of the Memorial Day Weekend we present a 1942 postcard from our archive collection written by Private Paul Munson, stationed in Miami Beach to his mother.

“Dear Mother, Notice arrow in picture, that’s where I live. It’s a lovely location although the walk up five flights to get to room doesn’t add to glamor. Getting used to minor difficulties however. The Sands, New Yorker, and Georgian barrack men, raw recruits like myself. Most of the large hotels have been requisitioned by gov’t. Wish you were here to bask on the sun-drenched sand.  Only trouble? No really nice girls to meet down here. Life would be less arduous with a couple around—-write to me, Paulie”

Below is the 2011 Obituary for the soldier, Paul Babcock Munson, who would become a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He died at the age of 92.

Front of 1942 postcard in which this WWII vet writes to his mother “Notice arrow in picture, that’s where I live. It’s a lovely location although the walk up five flights to get to room doesn’t add to glamor.”
Photograph from Paul’s niece of Paul Munson (middle) with his son Paul (the 3rd) on the left and grandson Paul (the 4th). The photo dates from August of 2007 and Paul’s grandson is now a student at Virginia Tech aiming for a military career after college.

2011 Obituary for soldier, Paul Babcock Munson, who wrote the above postcard

Postcard written in 1942 by a World War II vet stationed in Miami Beach to his mother.

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