Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource David Ray Dresser Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 291st Army Postal Unit
- Location of Service: Camp Roberts, California; New Caledonia; Manila and Luzon (Philippines)
- Highest Rank: Technician Five
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/58090
Like many soldiers, David Dresser kept a diary of his service experiences in WWII, as a means of passing the time and recording what he saw and felt while stationed in the Pacific Theater. Unlike most, however, Dresser made his entries in the form of daily cartoons. In his memoir, these cartoons are interwoven with his post-war reminiscences, creating a chronicle of his service with the 291st Army Postal Unit. His illustrations offer a humorous depiction of life as a clerk-typist and mail sorter: his cartoon avatar dodges mosquitoes, dashes to the chow line, and deals with the Christmas rush of mail--doing it all with beads of sweat springing from his brow. His memoir offers insights not contained in the cartoons, such as how it felt to serve as a devout Christian soldier, and to lose friends from college in combat.
About this Item
Title
- David Ray Dresser Collection
Names
- Dresser, David Ray
Home State
- Michigan
Headings
- - Dresser, David Ray
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 291st Army Postal Unit
- Location of Service: Camp Roberts, California; New Caledonia; Manila and Luzon (Philippines)
- Highest Rank: Technician Five
- Dates of Service: 1943-1945
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran also served in the Chaplain's Office.
Materials
- Manuscript: Creative works [77 items] -- Mixed (handwritten and typewritten documents) (collected 1943-1945)
- Manuscript: Memoirs [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 1943-1945; 2008-05-03)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/58090
Cite as
- David Ray Dresser Collection (AFC/2001/001/58090), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image