Vorel Family Letters, 1943 - 1945

File — Box: 4253.003, Folder: 010

Scope and Contents

This collections consists of 48 letters written to Joseph and Marie Vorel of Berwyn, Cook County, Illinois, by Joseph Jr., “Joie,” and Robert “Bobby” Vorel, and to Joie Vorel, from his brother, Bobby Vorel while they were both in the military during World War II. 37 of the letters in the collection are written by Bobby to either his parents or his brother and describe the various locations where he is stationed. Also, in almost every letter, he asks his parents to send packages of food and candy. His early letters, written from France, are quite light-hearted with details about how to send letters and packages, while the ones written from Germany, particularly after he has been in combat, have a more serious tone. Joie’s letters give less detail but do ask after friends and relations. His last letter, dated April 28, 1945, is from the United States Naval Air Station in Memphis, Tennessee where he is an instructor. One of Charlie’s letters to his aunt and uncle, dated July 29, 1944, is censored, but speaks of the “many boys we owe our lives to. Makes me think pretty hard when ever we pass the spot where there are white crosses and also our flag. There are Lots of places like that in the world now. It should never happen again.” Tony Santany’s letters are both in Czechoslovakian. There is one letter with two photographs to a woman named Vi written by a man named Julie (as indicated by the name on the back of the photos). There is no apparent connection between this letter and the rest of the Vorel letters.

Dates

1943 - 1945

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Biographical / Historical

Joseph Jr. “Joie” and Robert “Bobby” Vorel were sons of Joseph and Marie Vorel of Berwyn, Cook County, Illinois and served in the Armed Forces during World War II; Joie served in the Navy and Bobby served in the 25th Infantry Medical Detachment, 65th Infantry Division. Bobby was stationed in France and Germany and was on the front lines in Germany. Charles J. “Charlie” Slezak, a cousin and neighbor of Joie and Bobby Vorel, was the younger son of Jaroslav and Francie Slezak of Berwyn, Cook County, Illinois. He served in the Navy during World War II. Tony Santany was a friend of Bobby Vorel and served with him in Europe.