Introduction

Sometime during the 1990s my father, Wallace Jamison, a retired Navy chaplain, was commissioned by the State of Illinois to interview World War II prisoners of war and record their stories. It was feared that after these men passed away their stories would be lost. This prompted me to ask him to tell his story. His reply was "Read the letters".

The Letters

He was referring to the letters he and Ruth wrote to each other while he was overseas during World War II. Although they are no longer alive their story will live on. This is their love story and so much more told in their own way.

Contrasts and Significance

Life in New York City is contrasted to the life of those in war torn North Africa and Italy. Before he died Wallace asked me to read the letters and share them with my siblings. After reading the letters I realized that they had historical significance and should be shared with the public.