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John Donald Wright papers

 Collection
Call Number: RH MS 1332

Overview

The collection is comprised of military documentation from World War II and letters between John Donald Wright and various family members, including his cousin Peggy Hull Deuell.

Dates

  • Creation: 1915 - 1970

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Biography of John Donald Wright

John Donald Wright was born in 1914 in Kansas to John Anson Wright and Myrtle Alice Finn. He went by Don, and married Princess LaVera Wood (born 1913), who went by Pat, shortly before the United States entered World War II. Don Wright joined the United States Marine Corps and served in the South Pacific. Their two twin children, Mike and Pat, were born while Don was overseas.

Upon returning from the war, Don Wright worked as a tool maker for Hewitt Manufacturing in California. He died in 1970, aged 56. His wife Pat died in 1988.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet (1 document case + 1 volume)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents

The collection includes frequent letters outlining Wright's experience being trained as a United States Marine before shipping out overseas to fight in World War II. Some letters include stamps. Also includes Wright's military documentation (orders, certificates) as well as various correspondence from friends and family during WWII.

A scrapbook, located at RH MS G88, includes letters to and from Wright while serving in the South Pacific during World War II, as well as baby photographs of daughter Patricia Alice and other memorabilia.

Physical Location

RH MS 1332

Physical Location

RH MS G88

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, Patricia Cole, 2013

Related Materials

Peggy Hull Deuell papers, RH MS 130, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

Source

Title
Guide to the John Donald Wright Collection
Subtitle
John Donald Wright papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by hc, 2014. Finding aid encoded by hc, 2014. Finding aid revised by eear, 2015; mwh, 2020.
Date
2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/6894197998
Preferred citation
John Donald Wright papers, RH MS 1332, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334