Mike J. Chavez World War Two Letters

Collection

Identifier: SPC-2018-043

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Mike J. Chavez World War Two Letters collection (January 1944-December 1945; 2001; undated) contains correspondence written during Mike J. Chavez’s World War Two tour. In this collection, Mike J. Chavez writes from New York, France, England, Germany, and Belgium. The letters to and from Mike J Chavez and Stella Chavez detail the extent to which the couple miss each other, their kids, and also includes details about Mike’s daily tasks, such as "KP" (kitchen patrol) duty. Mike writes about his military friends which he says all but one have died by 1945. In addition to the letters Mike wrote to his wife Stella there are letters to his children, Rick and Delores. Letters also included are from Percy Chavez and Joe F. Chavez to “Mrs. Mike Joe Chavez” and Stella Chavez; letters to Mrs. R.A. Nagan, and Nora Chavez; and correspondence from Anne [Krizan], a fellow army wife to Stella Chavez from September 1944. The letters in this collection suggest that Mike J. Chavez entered the military before 1944, when Mike writes to his wife that he was pleased to receive Christmas cards in January 1944. By May 12th, 1945 Mike writes to his wife that he is in Germany and they have been informed the war is over. Also included in this collection is a draft of a eulogy for Mike Chavez written by one of his children; a copy of a program for the "Jubilee of Liberty, Normany Beach 1944" award ceremony; one copy of "Stars and Stripes" Vol. 5, No. 195; and empty War Department envelopes.

Dates

1944-2001
Majority of material found within 1944-1945

Creator

Chavez, Mike J. (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection material is in English.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Biographical / Historical

Mike Joe Chavez was born in El Moro, Colorado to Juan and Onofria Chavez. Chavez's first job was as a paperboy, and later during his teenage years he became a boxer. In 1933 he met his wife Stella, a social worker for the Colorado school system, at a dance at Meredith Lake outside Ordway, Colorado. After five years, on August 28th, 1938 he married Stella and one year later they had a son named Rick. Before he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943, they had a daughter named Delores.

Extent

2 boxes

.42 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains letters that were mostly sent by D-Day veteran, Mike J Chavez to his wife Stella Chavez during his tour in World War II. Also included in this collection are letters from Percy Chavez to Mrs. Mike Joe Chavez; a draft of a eulogy for Mike Chavez written by one of his children; a copy of a program for the "Jubilee of Liberty, Normany Beach 1944" award ceremony; one copy of "Stars and Stripes" Vol. 5, No. 195; and empty War Department envelopes.