Between the Covers

Hardcover. Three volumes. Quartos. Bell and Stephens County albums are very good with worn board edges and toning; Anderson County is good only lacking the boards with detached but present endpapers, chips, and tears.

A collection of three yearbook style directories comprising lists and black and white images of men and women who served in World War II from two Texas counties, Bell and Anderson as well as Stephens County in Oklahoma. The Bell County volume includes the ownership name of John B. Elza from Temple, Texas along with some of his notations. On one page he writes, “9 of my friends did not come home” and he underlines the individual names. The directories are all similar and begin with an in memoriam section, a dedication page, and reproduced letters from local military leaders and veterans coordinators. Following this a page reads, “We have made every effort to obtain the pictures and names of all men and women in the Armed Forced from this County. We realize, however, that our goal has not been attained and we sincerely regret any exclusions of names, as well as other errors, which may have occurred.” The book then lists the citizens of each county with a short biography and where they served. A section for "addresses of friends I fought with worked with and played with during World War II" is included as the final page.

The last page or two of each volume provides a small list of African-American soldiers with an introduction that reads, “The Negroes have made valuable contributions to all of the war activities. Although the write-up and pictures for only a few contained in this book, there are several hundred men and women in the Armed Forces and they are now serving in all parts of the world.” The Anderson County African-American section contains the longest list over fourteen pages and features the most effusive introduction. “Anderson County Negroes have shown their patriotism in many ways, and due praise should be give all who participated, but the following pictures will show some of those who have merited praise in the Armed Forces. Too much cannot be said in praise of those who have done their best for their country’s cause.” Many of the men listed here received purple hearts and other military accolades during their military service.

An interesting collection of directories for military service people in Texas and Oklahoma including women and African-Americans.

Item #461626