"I swore to myself many, many times that if I were spared, the rest of my life would be all for you." (Letter to Betty, 9/20/1945).

Ralph Samuel Jaffe

Ralph Jaffe in uniform, Newport, RI [n.d.] War: World War, 1939-1945 Branch: Army Service Location: Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Meade, Maryland; Fort Devens, Massachusetts; Manila (Philippines); Pacific Theater Rank: Private First Class

Drafted into the Army at the age of 37, Private First Class Ralph Samuel Jaffe departed his home in Rhode Island for basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in late 1944. Keeping up with his cohort, some of whom were nearly 20 years younger, proved immensely physically and emotionally challenging. Also difficult was the separation from his wife, Betty, and his two children, and the loneliness and lack of connection he felt as an older man among teenagers. The nearly 600 letters that he exchanged with Betty offer perspective not only on his experience, but also on Betty’s, as she coped with managing the family hardware store back in Rhode Island.