American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Correspondence from 2 identified soldiers, Keith R. Olson (1921-1988) and Herbert D. Olson (1917-1970), brothers born in Clearwater, Florida. Herbert served with the 26th Bomb Squadron during World War II while Keith served with the 3rd Anti-Submarine Squadron. Letters in the collection are written to their mother, grandmother, and sister.

The earliest correspondence dates to May 1940 and includes three letters written by Keith shortly after arriving in Hawaii following his pre-war enlistment, each written on letterhead featuring a color illustration of the Trans-Pacific Air Mail route across the Pacific Ocean. Two of these letters specifically identify transport via the California Clipper. An American long-range flying boat operated by Pan American Airways, the California Clipper was produced for commercial flight. Following the 1941 entry of the US into WWII, the California Clipper was utilized by the US military for ferrying personnel and equipment to the fronts, retiring in 1946 with more than a million flight miles.

Additional correspondence includes three war-date letters, one of which is written on USO "Season's Greetings" letterhead and another on USO letterhead with "Idle Gossip Sinks Ships" printed on bottom. Letters discuss general military life and family matters, though an undated letter from Keith discusses his displeasure with a new crew replacing his crew: "They are trained for high altitude work but know nothing of ours. We had to fly with them and teach them how to do it so they could take our place. That hurt. On anti-sub patrol we bomb with a speed of about 200 MPH but an altitude of only from 50 to 70 feet off the water. That is too fast and low for any sight made. It takes lots of guts to fly like that too. Everyone hates the new fellows..."