Irving Elias V-Mail and Photograph
This collection consists of three V-Mail letters and cartoon sketches (dating 1943-1944) that Staff Sergeant Irving Elias wrote to his wife, Belle Elias, while he was serving with the U. S. Army during War II. Also included is a photograph of Sergeant Elias at an Allied base in New Caledonia, a free French colony in the South Pacific.
Dates
- 1943 May 9-1944 July 14
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Abstract
This collection consists of three V-Mail letters and cartoon sketches (dating 1943-1944) that Staff Sergeant Irving Elias wrote to his wife, Belle Elias, while he was serving with the U. S. Army during War II. Also included is a photograph of Sergeant Elias at an Allied base in New Caledonia, a free French colony in the South Pacific.
Biographical/Historical Note
Irving Elias was born on August 30, 1915 in New York City born to parents I. Jacob and Yaffa Elias who were originally both from Turkey. Before 1942, Elias had been a saleman, but on April 14, 1942, Elias enlisted in the army as a private during World War 2. By May 1943, Elias had been promoted to Staff Sergeant. He retained that rank through at least July 1944 according to the V-Mails he sent to his wife, Belle Elias. On October 26, 1945, he was officially no longer in the army. Elias died on April 21, 1989 and is buried at Mt. Jacob Cemetery in Glenolden, Pennsylvania.
Arrangement
This collection consists of one folder.
Acquisition Note
This collection was donated to Special Collections via the University of Tennessee's Center for the Study of War and Society.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository