Summary Information
Trumann J. Johnson Papers and Photographs
1940-1948
WVM Mss 680
1.0 linear ft. (3 archives boxes) of papers and 0.4 linear ft. (3 folders and 1 flat box) of photographs.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum (Map)
Papers and photographs of Trumann J. Johnson, a private in the Army during World War II who served briefly in France with the 359th Infantry Regiment before being killed in action. The majority of the collection consists of letters Johnson, a Madison, Wisconsin native, exchanged with his sister, Norraine; friends; and other family during his stateside training at Camp Blanding, Florida and his brief overseas service in England and France. Very aware of censors, Johnson did not describe military affairs in his letters, instead focusing upon recreational activities available to soldiers such as U.S.O. shows and dating local girls. Letters to Johnson describe events at home and the social happenings among his family and circle of friends. Also included are scattered letters that Norraine Johnson received from admiring young men in the service, with a large number from sailor Fred Theiler. A small number of military papers and ephemeral items can also be found in the collection. Photographs include a scrapbook Norraine compiled after her brother's death which contains pictures of Trumann with family members and friends. A few loose photographs show Johnson in civilian dress and uniform, as well as Theiler in Navy uniform.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.wvm-mss00680 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Trumann Joseph Johnson was born on June 17, 1925 in Madison, Wisconsin. He grew up in the city and attended local schools. His mother, Lorraine, died in June 1935 and his father, Neil, passed away in March 1942. Johnson was drafted into the Army in October 1943 and received his basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida. In March 1944 he was shipped over to England for additional training and preparation for battle. In mid-June, after D-Day, he transferred into Company E, 359th Infantry Regiment which was stationed in France. On July 3, 1944 Johnson was killed in action.
Scope and Content Note
The papers of Trumann J. Johnson are divided into two series: Papers and Photographs.
Papers (1940-1948) consist almost entirely of correspondence exchanged between Johnson, his family, and his friends. The largest letter exchange occurred between him and his sister, Norraine, from the beginning of his military service toward the end of 1943 through his death in July 1944. Included are letters returned to Norraine after Trumann's death. These letters, exchanged between two teenaged siblings, show the deep bond that they shared. Norraine wrote of happenings at home and her hopes that Trumann stayed safe; he wrote about his experiences in the military from training through service in Europe and asked many questions about his friends and family at home. Also included are scattered letters from Trumann's other siblings, Walter and Helen, along with some letters from his friend in the Navy, Vernon Jenkins. Other scattered letters were written by friends, mostly female, to inform Trumann about social events and inquire about his experiences in the military. This series also contains letters between Norraine and Fred Theiler, a sailor in the Navy and apparently her boyfriend at the time. Theiler describes his experiences in the Navy and asks her repeatedly to wait for him. Other materials include some of Trumann's military papers, materials relating to his death and funeral, and ephemeral items like identification cards.
Photographs (1943-1944) contain a photo scrapbook compiled by Trumann's sister, Norraine, after his death. The book has captioned photographs of Trumann with his siblings and friends while on furlough, as well as several shots of him in uniform that he sent home while serving overseas. Also in this series are seven individual photographs of Trumann, both in civilian dress and uniform, as well as one photograph of Fred Theiler in Navy uniform.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Carey Karabis, Madison, WI, 1996. Accession Number: TR0655. This collection was organized as a result of the National Historic Publications and Records Commission project grant (2003-075).
Processed by Russell Horton in 2004.
Contents List
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Series: Papers
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Subseries: Correspondence
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From Trumann J. Johnson
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Box
1
Folder
1-4
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To Norraine Johnson (sister), 1943-1944
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Box
1
Folder
5
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To Trumann J. Johnson, 1943-1944
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Box
1
Folder
6
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From Jacqueline Adler, 1943
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Box
1
Folder
7
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From Alvira Buchanan, 1943
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Box
1
Folder
8
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From Murnell Haagenson, 1943-1944
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Box
1
Folder
9
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From Mabel Jenkins (friend's mother), 1943-1944
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Box
1
Folder
10
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From Vernon Jenkins (friend in Navy), 1943-1944
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From Norraine Johnson (sister)
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Box
1
Folder
11-13
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November 1943-March 1944
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Box
2
Folder
1-2
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May 1944-July 1944
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Box
2
Folder
3
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From Walter Johnson (brother), 1943-1944
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Box
2
Folder
4
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From “Lee,” 1943-1944
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Box
2
Folder
5
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From Helen Johnson Nickel (sister), 1943-1944
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Box
2
Folder
6
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From Mildred Rand, 1943-1944
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Box
2
Folder
7
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From Fred Theiler, 1942-1943
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Box
2
Folder
8
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From Don T[jugum?], 1943-1944
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From Norraine Johnson (sister)
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Box
2
Folder
9
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To Fred Theiler, 1942-1943
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Box
2
Folder
10
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To Norraine Johnson (sister), 1940-1943
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Box
2
Folder
11
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From Robert Faris, 1943
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Box
2
Folder
12
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From Franklin Meffert, 1943
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Box
2
Folder
13
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From Theodore Sierputoski, 1943
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From Fred Theiler
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Box
2
Folder
14-15
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September-December 1942
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Box
3
Folder
1-3
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January 1943-July 1943
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Box
3
Folder
4
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Death, 1944, 1948
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Box
3
Folder
5
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Ephemera, 1940-1943
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Box
3
Folder
6
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Military papers, 1943-1944
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Series: Photographs
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Subseries: Individuals
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Box
?
Folder
?
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Trumann J. Johnson [7] , 1943-1944
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Box
?
Folder
?
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Fred Theiler [1] , circa 1944
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Box
4
Folder
1
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Scrapbook, 1943-1944
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