NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG1655.AM: James G. Bastian, Jr.
Papers: 1944-1946
Grand Island and Crete, Neb.: World War II soldier
Size: 0.5 cu.ft.; 1 box
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
The collection consists of letters, August 1944-June 1946, written between James “Jim” Bastian and his family in Grand Island, Nebraska during his World War II military service. Bastian writes home to his parents and sister, Shirley Ann Bastian, from the start of basic training and continues for almost two years, including some of the time he is stationed overseas. Mostly concerned with life on a military base, the letters offer many insights into family and community activities, etc. in Grand Island as he responds to information and anecdotes supplied by his family in their letters to him. Bastian retains a cheerful outlook about his term of service and the war. The collection includes V-Mail and letters from Bobby Bastian, George H. Bastian [cousin] and Vernon “Buck” Arbogast, a family friend whose words betray the ugliness of WWII and a disillusionment with war that so infrequently bypassed censors.
INVENTORY
Series 1 – Correspondence
Box 1
Folder
- 1944, Aug. 29-Oct. 11
- 1944, Oct. 12-Dec. 25
- 1945, Jan. 8-Feb. 28
- 1945, Mar. 2-Apr. 28
- 1945, Apr. 30-May 26
- 1945, May 27-June 30
- 1945, July 1-Aug. 18
- 1945, Aug. 19-Oct. 31
- 1945, Nov. 2-Dec. 28
- 1946, Jan. 2-Apr. 7
- 1946, Apr. 9-June 15
Subject headings:
Bastian, James G., Jr.
Military Service
World War, 1939-1945 — Correspondence
08-09-1995 KFK
08-24-2004 AW/tmm
