The last of the U.S. Army Soldier Shows "Blueprint Specials" to be published, "OK, USA" is a musical revue on the theme of U.S. soldiers returning to the United States and finding it finding it as foreign and exotic as any country overseas because they have been away and living under extreme circumstances for so long. Like the other "Blueprint Specials," this show includes a complete script (multiple copies this time); a conductor's score and complete set of instrumental parts; a sample program; set and costume designs; and detailed instructions for producing the show using whatever materials are at hand. Unlike the other "Blueprint Specials," it includes no information on the librettists, songwriters, and other staff who worked on the show.

Transcript of an interview with William W. Pearsall concerning his experiences on the homefront as a teenager in Elgin, Illinois, during World War II. Pearsall discusses his education and childhood in Elgin; local reaction to the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941; air raid drills and blackouts; attempts to make people war conscious; spy hysteria; censorship of mail; harassment of German Americans; gasoline rationing; scrap drives; war bond drives; Victory Gardens; rationing of tires; scarcity of automobile parts; black market activities; clothing shortages; Boy Scout activities; effects of having a brother and sister in the military; wartime entertainment for teenagers; high school war bond dances; V-E Day celebrations; V-J Day celebrations; attitudes toward Japanese; and the adjustment of his brother and sister to civilian life. Includes appendix with photographs [3 pages].

Transcript of an interview with Caleb H. Canby, III, a Marine Corps veteran (Scout-Bomber 243, 1st Marine Air Wing), concerning experiences in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Canby discusses his family background and education; decision to join the Marine Corps, 1942; boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina; advanced training at Quantico, Virginia, 1943-44; assignment to Scout-Bomber Squadron 243 at Emirau, Solomon Islands, 1944-45; his work in the flight department processing pilots' flight logs; transfer to Mangaldan, Luzon, 1945; assignment to Mindanao in March, 1945; contraction of hepatitis and return to the U. S.

Transcript of an interview with Anne Pearsall Karr from Elgin, Illinois, concerning her experiences on the home front during World War II. Karr discusses her youth in Elgin, Illinois; effects of Depression on Pearsall family; college at Iowa State; courtship with Kenneth Karr, her future husband; reaction to Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor; changes on Iowa State campus after American entry into World War II; wartime rationing and Victory Gardens; effects on Pearsall family having a son and daughter in military service; her marriage to Kenneth Karr, early 1944; housing shortage in Corpus Christi, Texas, during World War II; birth of their daughter; wartime entertainment; experiences as a military wife; attitudes toward the Japanese; husband's training as a naval air cadet at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. Appendix includes various photographs [5] pages.

Transcript of an interview with Louise Pearsall Canby, a Navy veteran from Elgin, Illinois, concerning her experiences as a member of the WAVES during World War II. Canby discusses her personal background, her decision to join the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), and her experiences as a code breaker working with Enigma and German submarine codes. Includes appendix that consists of various photographs and two documents, [5] leaves.

Letter from Cornelia Yerkes discussing taking a train with other Red Cross workers from Chicago to Seattle, the Seattle area, traveling by ship to Oahu, and impressions of the island. Written on Burlington Hotel (Washington DC) stationary.

Letter from WASP Cornelia Yerkes (probably to her parents) written on Burlington Hotel (Washington, D. C.) stationary, discussing travelling, a visit to Chicago, war bonds, and letters.

Postcard from WASP Cornelia Yerkes to her parents discussing flying from Dallas to Scott Field in Illinois. The postcard includes a picture of civilians and servicemen on the tarmac with an American Airlines aircraft.

Letter from WASP Cornelia Yerkes discussing recent work ferrying aircraft. Written on Hotel Belleville stationary.

Letter from Cornelia Yerkes written on American Airlines stationary discussing her visit to Newark and a trip to Dallas via Buffalo and Chicago.

An unused subscription card from American History Illustrated.

Letter from WASP Cornelia Yerkes discussing problems with bad weather and flying, seeing a friend, recent correspondence, and where she had recently flown. Written on United Air Lines stationary.

Interview with Howard L. Patton, a Army WWII veteran from Flora, Illinois. Patton discusses his family background, commissioning into the Army through ROTC, training with anti-air artillery, his marriage, deployment to New Guinea, the assault on Wakde Island, the battle of Leyte, operations at Zamboanga, and the end of the war.

War savings bond form in which Solange D'Hooghe authorizes the semi-monthly payment of $6.25.

Interview with Howard Charles, a Marine WWII veteran and POW from Partridge, Kansas. Charles discusses growing up in the Great Depression; joining the Marine Corps and training; assignment to the USS Houston (CA-30) at Manila as a heavy machine gunner and events before the war; the Battle of Sunda Strait and sinking of the Houston; capture by the Japanese and being held at Serang, Java; experiences in internment and forced labor at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, various camps along the Burma Railway, and Saigon; liberation; psychological treatment, trauma, and adjusting to civilian life. In appendix is a letter written by Charles to Marcello including additional information for the interview.

Pamphlet from Texas Woman's University advertising the WASP portion of their Women's collection, along with a brief history of Women Airforce Service Pilots. The pamphlet describes the types of materials the collection is seeking and the preservation methods they intend to use.

Telegram from Ethel A. Sheehy to Mrs. Millard Christenson discussing the request to recruit Christenson into the WASP program.

A collection of various military orders and documents pertaining to Paul A. Hill's Air Force and Air Reserve service.

Photocopied telegram from Cochran and Arnold to Betty Jo Streff discussing instructions for an interview to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots. A second partial telegram can be seen on the bottom half of the page, also addressed to Betty Jo Streff on reporting for duty at Columbus Air Force Base.

Supplement to the PF-PT program statement that contains information on guidelines for participation in the International Biological Program as well as criteria to be used for site selection and on procedures for making nominations.

Instruction manual for a Bell & Howell Filmo Editor for 8mm film discussing how to splice film and operate the device, and containing instructional photographs.

Envelope from Rialto Service Co. Photographers in Chicago, Illinois addressed to James Read in Dearborn, Michigan.

Postcard of a group of people standing on a dock and swimming nearby in Crab Orchard Lake at Marion, Illinois. A handwritten note addressed to Miss Helen H. Aten from Woodrow W. Aten says, "Hello all. Will probably arrive Thursday- trip has been fine so far. Am stopping off to see Lt. Crews. He is still alive. Woodrow."

Postcard of the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower on the skyline of Chicago. A typed note on the back of the postcard says "Two of Chicago's most interesting and beautiful buildings are the Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building. Facing each other on Michigan Boulevard, they form an impressive gateway to the North Side of Chicago." A handwritten note addressed to Miss Helen & Ted Aten says, "Dear Helen & Ted, How are the pickles going? My bites seem to be improving. Next time I'll bring something that will kill them instead of me. Say hello to Jiggs for me. Love Ruthie."