Tom in Europe, Ruth in New York City
During the war years, Ruth is living in New York City, working at the Episcopal Girls' Friendly Society under the care of "Mrs. Brown". Very few of Ruth's letters to Tom during the war made it into the box -- were they left in Europe, or otherwise not included?
During the War: In France
During the fighting, up until November 1918, Tom is in France. He sees his first action in April 1918 and receives the French Croix du Guerre for his actions.
- TPW-1917-12-27
- TPW-1917-12-27A
- New Year's Eve Concert on the ship
- Tom sings.
- TPW-1918-01-08-CABLE
- TPW-1918-01-08
- TPW-1918-01-08A
- TPW-1918-01-11
- TPW-1918-01-12
- I've decided that you must learn French, for someday you and I are going to tour this country. There is nothing quite so wonderful as the beauty of this country -- its real old history -- and its arts.
- TPW-1918-01-15
- The one think I can tell brazenly is that I'm mighty lonesome, and that I'm a wanting you pretty much. Kind a soft talk for a soldier but doggoneit I'm in love.
- TPW-1918-01-16
- TPW-1918-01-17
- You need never regret this sacrifice of me for a short time, because I can assure you it is in a mighty cause -- and one must be here to realize it.
- TPW-1918-01-19
- Have been out to a signaling class, and it's the most interesting stuff we've found yet. Gee I like it and more and more I'm glad for the branch I chose.
- US Army Signal Corps Letter Wheel
- TPW-1918-01-20
- TPW-1918-01-24
- TPW-1918-01-25
- The enclosed clipping [about a SAE dinner at the Grand Hotel du Pavillon] is self explanatory, and shows again the great power of your intuition. 'member how you insisted that I go into SAE?
- TPW-1918-01-27
- TPW-1918-01-30
- TPW-1918-01-31
- TPW-1918-02-03
- TPW-1918-02-07
- Tom and another are selected to go to the front, and Tom is proud of that.
- TPW-1918-02-10
- TPW-1918-02-13
- TPW-1918-02-14
- Valentine's Day.
- TPW-1918-02-14A
- TPW-1918-02-16
- TPW-1918-02-20
- TPW-1918-02-22
- Had a letter from Bert in which I was properly called for the way we treated mother by being married in Berkeley. He was right as far as he went, and I'm glad he thought so much of mother's feelings -- but he certainly didn't know all the conditions. I'm sure we have explained that "faux pas" away.
- TPW-1918-02-28
- TPW-1918-03-03
- TPW-1918-03-06
- TPW-1918-03-12
- TPW-1918-03-19
- TPW-1918-03-28
- But bless your heart you're game, and now are busy, for even in the short space those four letters covered you had done a great deal. You've got it in you to cut out a career -- given a short year in NY. If this blinking war doesn't quit soon I'll return to find myself famous as Mrs. Walker's husband. You be good to yourself and keep well.
- TPW-1918-03-30
- TPW-1918-04-01
- TPW-1918-04-06
- TPW-1918-04-08
- Today I had a letter from A.W. Hendricks -- a nice newsy, personal one, and listen -- one each from your mother and Dad. You must have them fed up on stories about me, because they seem to like their new son "tres bon". It's great to have "in law" folks like that. 'Member how I used to say I'd marry an orphan so I wouldn't be worried with folks-in-law. I've decided now that if a fellow chooses them well he's very much better off. Wouldn't be without your folks, kiddie.
- TPW-1918-04-13
- TPW-1918-04-16
- TPW-1918-04-22
- Tom's 27th birthday.
- And while you are worrying here I sit in the wine cellar of a castle built four hundred years ago -- forty five feet below ground and the guest of a French General.
- TPW-1918-04-24
- A dried flower is included in the letter.
- Yesterday I took a long walk through some very beautiful woods -- just carpeted with wild flowers -- such a profusion I never imagined before. It was beautiful -- and through it all I walked with you -- and how we did enjoy it you and I.
- TPW-1918-04-28
- TPW-1918-05-02
- TPW-1918-05-07
- Tom sees a German plane crash near him.
- Then some of us get to look at the material gathered from the wreck -- the new instruments to be examined -- the photographs -- and finally the personal effects of the pilot, and his observer. When a fellow looks at these -- a diary perhaps -- photographs of German soldiers or girls -- a knife -- some small change -- just the things he carries himself -- he thinks a minute, and then he realizes that with all these personalities, he was an enemy and deserved all he got.
- TPW-1918-05-10
- TPW-1918-05-15
- TPW-1918-05-19
- TPW-1918-05-24
- Tom goes up in a hot air balloon.
- I can't begin to describe the wonder of it all -- the rolling country -- the tiny villages stuck everywhere -- the woods like beautiful green velvet -- the fields squared off so accurately, and each square a different green -- gee it was great. But the best of all was two French aeroplanes that came soaring around us.
- TPW-1918-05-30
- This letter recounts the Battle of Cantigny. Tom was in the trenches on the front line, and his communication system withstood shelling for 15 hours. Tom is up for the Croix de Guerre for his efforts in this battle.
- I helped draw up the plans for the communications, and asked to carry the line over with the Infantry. Now I had no time to ask you whether I could do it -- and I wouldn't 'cause I'm afraid you wouldn't let me -- so I just went and did it. The reason? -- because this is the first American offensive -- and your Tommie wasn't going to pass up such a wonderful chance.
- TPW-1918-06-04
- Feel right at home now -- they've named one of our important telephone centrals "Reno" so I can call up home pretty often.
- TPW-1918-06-06
- A short telegram, announcing that Tom has received the Croix de Guerre, a decoration given by the French for heroic deeds.
- Everything fine have croix de guerre Walker
- Croix de Guerre
- The Croix de Guerre certificate.
- TPW-1918-06-09
- TPW-1918-06-19
- TPW-1918-06-26
- TPW-1918-06-29
- TPW-1918-06-30
- TPW-1918-07-09
- TPW-1918-07-10
- TPW-1918-07-15
- TPW-1918-07-24
- TPW-1918-07-26
- TPW-1918-08-02
- TPW-1918-08-08
- TPW-1918-08-11-newsclips
- TPW-1918-08-11
- TPW-1918-08-12
- TPW-1918-08-14
- TPW-1918-08-15
- TPW-1918-08-18
- TPW-1918-08-24
- TPW-1918-08-26
- Harden-1918-08-27-telegram
- TPW-1918-08-31
- includes a note from C.L. Webster from Haverhill
- TPW-1918-09-02
- TPW-1918-09-03
- TPW-1918-09-05-enclosures
- TPW-1918-09-05
- TPW-1918-09-08
- Includes a questionnaire from Ruth.
- TPW-1918-09-17
- TPW-1918-09-22
- TPW-1918-10-19
- TPW-1918-10-23
- TPW-1918-10-24-cablegram
- TPW-1918-11-11
- Peteman-1918-11-17
- TPW-1918-11-18
- TPW-1918-11-23-telegram
- TPW-1918-11-23
- TPW-1918-11-23A
- TPW-1918-11-30