[World War II]. [Connecticut]

[Substantial Archive of Correspondence Between Private Walter Dianni and His Family and Friends Back Home in Connecticut]

[Various locations, including New Haven, Ct.]: 1944-1946. Approximately 900 letters, plus two photographs. Most letters with original envelopes. Light wear and soiling. Very good. Item #5562

A large archive of letters written from Private First Class Walter Dianni to his parents and his girlfriend during his military service in World War II, together with their letters written to him. Walter Dianni was a New Haven native who entered the army shortly after his eighteenth birthday. Initially training at Camp Blanding in Florida, he spent a short time in Fort Meade, Maryland, before shipping overseas to the Pacific theater in August 1945. He was at sea when Japan surrendered, and wrote to his girlfriend, Florence: "The day that we have all been waiting for has finally arrived, and we feel so good inside for once in our lives. That day is, of course, the day the Japs surrendered and peace encompassed the earth once again. … When the news came to the ship, we all gathered on deck there the chaplain led us in prayer and the singing of the anthem. Everyone really cheered when that was over." He was posted to Leyte in the Philippines from September 1945 to January 1946, before being transferred to Guam at the beginning of February. He spent the remainder of his time in the military there, until September 1946. After his return to New Haven, Walter enrolled at Yale and continued to date Florence. The two were married on June 24, 1950; Walter graduated from Yale the following summer.

The archive consists of about 300 letters from Walter to his parents, Pasquale and Rose DeVivo Dianni, in New Haven; circa 180 letters from Walter to his girlfriend, Florence Fappiano; about 150 letters from Mr. & Mrs. Dianni to their son; circa 170 letters from Florence to Walter; as well as a group of related letters, Christmas cards, and other ephemera from and to Walter from friends and family.  Also included are a formal panoramic group photograph (two copies) taken at Camp Blanding Florida, and an informal snap shot of Walter and a fellow soldier with palm trees in the background. Walter does not seem to have enjoyed his stint in the military. Writing from the Philippines in November 1945, he says, "You may wonder why I'd rather be on some other island. I can't say from personal experience, but many of the older men have been on others and they say Leyte is the worst place. The cities are poorest, the people more illiterate, and the living conditions the lousiest. The other islands sound wonderful. Even the shows there were first class. Hope I get a chance to see some other place." And in his final letter to Florence, in August 1946, he writes, "I know you haven't noticed a change in me through my letters. ... I believe I'm more realistic than I ever was for one thing. These months in the service have made me more stupid (if that's possible). I could go on indefinitely, but why tear myself down. There's little improvement, that I can say. After you've seen me, let me know the verdict." Most letters are several pages long, relaying news of family and home, as well as military routines and bits of Walter's travels. His final few missives describe the convoluted process of mustering out and traveling home from Guam. Of particular interest, of course, is that both sides of the correspondence are present here, providing a full picture of Walter's relationship with his parents and Florence during this formative time in his life. Worthy of research.

Price: $1,500.00