Introduction | Biographical Sketch | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

Introduction

The Robert Warren Wolfe Papers were donated to the Center for Archival Collections by Robert Warren Wolfe on August 31, 1999.

The collection consists of materials relating to his military service during World War II. The collection was processed and register prepared by Stephen M. Charter, Reference Archivist. No restrictions exist on the use of this collection. Duplication is permitted for the purposes of preservation and research.

Biographical Sketch

Robert Warren Wolfe, son of Carl E. and Hester M. Holzfoster Wolfe, was born and raised in Lima, Allen County, Ohio. He enlisted during World War II (1942) and later served in the 187th Engineer Combat Battalion (1943-1945). He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in August, 1945. Robert received an A.B. degree at Ohio University and a M.Ed. at Bowling Green State University. He taught at Bowling Green High School in Bowling Green, Ohio 1951-1955; Central Junior High School in Riverside, California 1955-1959; Rubidoux Senior High School in Riverside, California 1959-1966; and Indiana State University 1966-1985.

Scope and Content

The Robert Warren Wolfe Papers span the years 1942 to 1945. The largest portion of the collection is the correspondence of Robert Warren Wolfe, written to his family during his service in World War II. He provides a vivid portrayal of army life and the character changes affected by the deprivation of war.

A scrapbook of wartime mementos contains photographs of his fellow soldiers, Camp White (Medford, Oregon), Holland, and Germany. Several photographs of a liberated concentration camp near Gammelin, Germany are included.

The collection contains the original typescript of his novel Naked Soul: Coping With War, which documents his military service and wartime experiences through his letters.

Series Description

CORRESPONDENCE

CORRESPONDENCE-ROBERT WARREN WOLFE TO FAMILY
1942-1945
Arranged chronologically

CORRESPONDENCE-MISCELLANEOUS TO ROBERT WARREN WOLFE
1942-1945
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent
Letters to Robert Warren Wolfe from family and friends, including fellow soldiers

LITERARY DOCUMENTS

ADDRESS BOOK
1942

DIARIES
1942-1943

AUTOGRAPH BOOK
1942-1945

MANUSCRIPTS
Typescript of Naked Soul: Coping With War

RESEARCH NOTES-BIOGRAPHICAL
Includes vita and biographical information

SCRAPBOOKS AND SCRAPBOOK MATERIALS

SCRAPBOOK
1942-1945

MAPS, CHARTS, DIAGRAMS, GRAPHS, LISTS, ETC.

MAP
n.d.
Central Europe

PASSENGER LIST
1945
List officers and enlisted men, 187th Engineer Combat Battalion

PRINTED MATERIALS

BOOKS
1996, n.d.
Includes Naked Soul: Coping With War and Story of the 187th Engineer Combat Battalion

ARTIFACTS

BRONZE SERVICE STAR MEDAL

SATCHEL

Inventory

Box 1: Correspondence from Robert Warren Wolfe to family

Folder

1. October 1942 Camp White
2. November 1942 Camp White
3. December 1942 Camp White
4. January 1943 Camp White
5. February 1943 Camp White
6. March 1943 Camp White
7. April 1943 Camp White
8. May 1943 Camp White
9. June 1943 Camp White

Box 2: Correspondence from Robert Warren Wolfe to family

Folder

1. July 1943 Camp White
2. August 1943 Camp White
3. September 1943 Camp White
4. October 1943 Camp White
5. November 1943 Camp White
6. December 1943 Camp White
7. January 1944 Camp White
8. February 1944 Camp White
9. March 1944 Camp Howze
10. April 1944 Elkins, West Virginia
11. May 1944 Elkins, West Virginia
12. June 1944 Elkins, West Virginia
13. July 1944 Camp Pickett
14. August 1944 Camp Pickett
15. September 1944 Camp Pickett
16. October 1944 New York
17. November 1944 England
18. December 1944 England

Box 3: Correspondence from Robert Warren Wolfe to family

Folder

1. January 1945 France
2. February 1945 Holland
3. March 1945 Holland
4. April 1945 Germany
5. May 1945 Germany
6. June 1945 Germany
7. July 1945 Germany
8. August 1945 Viernheim, Germany
9. September 1945 Germany
10. October 1945 Manheim, Germany
11. November 1945 Asslar, Germany
12. December 1945 France

Box 4

Folder

1. Correspondence from George P. Jasonis to Robert Warren Wolfe
2. Correspondence, from William E. Metzger Jr. to Robert Warren Wolfe
3. Correspondence, from Edward E. Olejniczak to Robert Warren Wolfe
4. Correspondence, from John E. Pederson to Robert Warren Wolfe
5. Correspondence, from Don Smith to Robert Warren Wolfe
6. Correspondence, from John E. Scott to Robert Warren Wolfe
7. Correspondence, from William H. Stephens to Robert Warren Wolfe
8. Correspondence, from Joseph F. Tordiff to Robert Warren Wolfe
9. Correspondence, from Robert F. Walton to Robert Warren Wolfe
10. Correspondence, from Lawrence E. Weick to Robert Warren Wolfe
11. Correspondence, from miscellaneous correspondents A-F to Robert Warren Wolfe
12. Correspondence, from miscellaneous correspondents G-K to Robert Warren Wolfe
13. Correspondence, from miscellaneous correspondents L-Z to Robert Warren Wolfe

Box 5

Folder

1. Address Book and Diary, 1942
2. Diary, 1942-1943
3. Autograph Book, 1942-1945
4. Typescript Naked Soul: Coping with War
5. Research notes--biographical

Box 6

Folder

1. Photograph Album and Scrapbook, 1942-1945
2. Map of Central Europe, n.d.
3. Passenger list, officers and enlisted men, 187th Engineer Combat Battalion, 1945
4. Story of the 187
5. Naked Soul: Coping With War
6. Bronze Service Medal, 1944
7. Military Satchel

Manuscripts by Subject | U.S. in Wartime | MS 792: List of Transcripts