Helen Winkelmes to Samuel R. Owens, October 23, 1945

WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Randi Adams (Creator)

Institution

Western Carolina University (WCU )

Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/

Advisor

Brian Gastle

Abstract: When Samuel Robert Rickman Owens was born on April 10, 1918, he was the ninth of the eleven children of Steven John Owens and Frances Elvira Alexander Owens. His sister, Flora Helen Owens Winkelmes, was the Owens’ second child—born April 28, 1906. Helen’s letter to her brother, “Sammy,” was written on October 23, 1945. It is clear from the context of the letter that this was fairly soon after Samuel Owens’ return to the United States after being held as a prisoner of war at Fukouaka—a Japanese prisoner camp. With Owens having been a P.O.W. since 1942, the sentiment expressed in Helen’s letter reflects that of a family member that has been waiting years for their soldier to return safely to American soil. Helen’s letter to her brother was originally addressed in black ink to the Oakland Navy Hospital in San Francisco, California. This is crossed out with blue ink, and redirected to Parris Island, South Carolina. From the handwriting, it is unclear whether Helen made this change herself. The envelope is postmarked in Savannah, Georgia, where Helen lived, on October 23, 1945 and was postmarked by the U.S. Navy on November 3, 1945.

Helen Winkelmes to Samuel R. Owens, October 23, 1945
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Created on 12/11/2017
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Language: English

Date: 2017

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