Cage 724
Walter Chuslo
World War II Correspondence, 1944-1948
Acquisition and Processing Information
This collection was purchased from dealer Charles Apfelbaum in 2008 (MS2008-11). It was processed in 2008 by Cheryl Gunselman, Manuscripts Librarian.
Extent / Quantity Information
Number of containers: 7
Linear feet of shelf space: 3.3
Biography / Organizational History
Very little biographical information is available for Walter W. Chuslo and his wife, Mildred (Midge) Skalsky Chuslo. The following details have been gleaned from the letters in this collection.
Walter and Mildred were both born in 1917. They met in Ohio in 1944 when Walter was visiting his family home on a furlough from duty in the U.S. Army. They were married in Washington State on January 15, 1947.
Walter Chuslo served in the Army from 1941, when he was drafted, until at least February 1948, when this correspondence ends. All of his duty stations were in the United States and Alaska; for at least part of his service he served with Battery B of the 243rd AAA Searchlight Battalion. During the period covered by this correspondence, he moved to several different stations: Seattle, WA; Camp Howze, TX; Fort Sill, OK; Camp White, OR; Camp Stoneman, CA; Fort Lewis, WA; Fort Belvoir, VA; and Fort Glenn, AK (Umnak). His work, described in his letters, varied widely and included building construction, heavy equipment operation, painting and building maintenance, teaching and training new recruits, and barbering.
Collection Description
This collection consists almost entirely of Walter Chuslo's letters to his girlfriend (later his wife), Mildred (Midge) Skalsky. There are also a few letters from others, including some from Walter's family to Midge and/or Walter, and one from Midge to Walter. The collection also includes a small number of unidentified photographs (negatives), and one printed pamphlet.
Most of Walter Chuslo's letters to Mildred are love letters, showing the development of their long-distance relationship, challenges and obstacles to their plans to marry, and his hopes and plans for their future together. He discusses problems in both of their families, daily life in the Army, his illnesses and injuries, his disappointment at delayed or canceled furloughs, unwelcome extensions of his Army service, and, most of all, his longing to settle down and begin his life with Mildred. He occasionally refers to events related to the war, and to economic and social conditions, but in general these letters are personal.
Collection Arrangement
The collection is arranged in a single chronological sequence. Undated correspondence, photographs and one pamphlet are located at the end of the sequence.
Subjects
Chuslo, Walter W. -- Archives
Chuslo, Mildred Skalsky -- Archives
United States -- Army -- Field Artillery
Soldiers -- United States -- Archives
World War -- 1939-1945 -- United States
Access
This collection is open and available for research use. Copyright restrictions apply.
Preferred Citation
The suggested citation for the collection is:
[Item Description]
Walter Chuslo World War II Correspondence, 1944-1948
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Washington State University Libraries
Pullman, WA
Languages
These materials are in English.