Wilbur S. Hattendorf
Paper Collection
Paper Collection
On February 1, 1943, Will Hattendorf, sat in his tent pitched in the sand, near the runway used by the 82nd FG, on the desert of North Africa. Will wrote this V-Mail letter, to family friends back home in, Wheaton, IL.
In 2002, Terry Massick found this letter at a letter collector's shop in Toronto, Canada. The 'traveling V-Mail letter', started in North Africa. Then, to Wheaton, Illinois. Then, it traveled back to the Eastern area of the United States. Then, to a letter collector's shop in upstate New York, where it stayed for a few years. Then, to the letter collector's shop in Tornoto, Canada, for about 3 years. And now, back to the United States.
When the 'traveling V-Mail letter' arrived from Toronto, Canada, the enclosed newspaper clipping from the, Chicago Tribune, was included.
When the 'traveling V-Mail letter' arrived from Toronto, Canada, the enclosed newspaper clipping from the, Chicago Tribune, was included.
At the 2003, 82nd Fighter Group REUNION in Hartford, Ct. Will Hattendorf, again, signs his 'traveling V-Mail letter'.
60 years - 7 months and 18 days after, the first time he signed it and sent it back home to, Wheaton, Il.
60 years - 7 months and 18 days after, the first time he signed it and sent it back home to, Wheaton, Il.