CONTENTS OF THE EXHIBIT

May 20, 1942. From John to Priscilla (Camp Shelby, Mississippi). After completing his first twenty-four hours at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, John writes his first letter to Priscilla.  He recounts his train journey from Chicago and describes various aspects of basic training.  He refers to the "truly deplorable" housing of the lower classes, comparing it unfavorably to that found in Milwaukee's Third Ward.  (Alumni Papers, John L. Holloway Papers, 1922-1946).

June 20, 1942. From John to Father Brennan (Camp Shelby, Mississippi). A month after arriving at Camp Shelby, John writes to Rev. Gerald P. Brennan, a faculty member of Marquette University's History Department.  During World War II, Father Brennan corresponded with many former Marquette students who had joined the service. (History Department, Rev. Gerald P. Brennan, S.J., Papers, 1940-1945)

August 17, 1942. From Father Brennan to John (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Father Brennan replies to John, providing details about the impact of the war on Marquette University. (Alumni Papers, John L. Holloway Papers, 1922-1946).

October 20, 1942. From Priscilla to John (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). In addition to keeping John informed about family matters, Priscilla makes passing reference to the prospect of gasoline rationing and describes the impact of the war on Marquette University social events such as prom. (Alumni Papers, Priscilla M. Holloway Papers, 1919-1946).

December 20, 1942. From John to Priscilla (South Pacific). John describes war events of both local significance--such as the disappearance of Lieutenant Carl Zeidler (former Milwaukee mayor) in the south Atlantic--and global importance.  The latter include British General Bernard Montgomery's movements in North Africa, the "Darlan Deal," and naval battles in the South Pacific. (Alumni Papers, John L. Holloway Papers, 1922-1946).

August 12, 1943. From John to Priscilla (South Pacific). Writing to Priscilla from an unidentified location in the South Pacific, John describes his interactions with the native islanders. He also alludes to "retribution" delivered by these islanders to the Japanese, who had conquered some of the islands and cruelly treated the inhabitants. (Alumni Papers, John L. Holloway Papers, 1922-1946).

June 6, 1944. From Priscilla to John (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Priscilla recounts homefront reactions to reports of the Allied landing in Normandy, France. (Alumni Papers, Priscilla M. Holloway Papers, 1919-1946).

December 7, 1944. From Priscilla to John (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Priscilla describes a war bond rally that featured film footage of naval assaults on Guam and dramatic stories by disabled war veterans.  This is one of the many letters in which Priscilla mentions the purchase of U.S. war bonds.  (Alumni Papers, Priscilla M. Holloway Papers, 1919-1946).

April 17, 1945. From Priscilla to John (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Although Priscilla, like many Americans, disagreed with Roosevelt's domestic policies, she recognized his death on April 12, 1945 as a "world shaking event" and joined with the rest of the nation in honoring his memory.  This letter describes local and and national reactions to Roosevelt's passing and Truman's assumption of the Office of the President. (Alumni Papers, Priscilla M. Holloway Papers, 1919-1946).

May 8, 1945. From Priscilla to John (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Priscilla describes VE Day in Milwaukee. Her letter also mentions "Gertie," a mallard duck that laid eggs on a piling below the Wisconsin Avenue bridge. Gertie's efforts to safeguard her clutch held the attention of not only Milwaukee but also the nation, and provided people with a welcome distraction from the war.  (Alumni Papers, Priscilla M. Holloway Papers, 1919-1946).

August 6, 1945. From Priscilla to John (Milwaukee, Wisconsin).  On this date, the United States dropped a 20-kiloton atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing 80,000 people. Priscilla is clearly discomposed by initial reports of the bomb's power, but finds solace in her religious beliefs and patriotic feelings. (Alumni Papers, Priscilla M. Holloway Papers, 1919-1946).

August 10, 1945. From John to Priscilla (South Pacific).  Writing after the bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, John agrees with his wife that implications of the atomic bomb for modern warfare are "horrifying." (Alumni Papers, John L. Holloway Papers, 1922-1946).

August 15, 1945. From Priscilla to John (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). On August 14, the nation received the news of Japan's surrender.  This letter describes the victory celebration that took place in downtown Milwaukee that evening.  (Alumni Papers, Priscilla M. Holloway Papers, 1919-1946).