Author: STUART D. WIGGIN
Title: 1944-1945 New Hampshire Us Naval Officer’S Letters Home, Discussing Army Academics and Comparing German, Italian and British Submarines
Description: Sampson, New York, New London, Conneticut. Non-Book. On offer are a small collection of two fascinating letters, written by Stuart D. Wiggin, during his service in World War Two (WWII) in the United States Navy. Stuart D. Wiggin was born in 1927 to parents Albert W. Wiggin Sr. And Agnes R. Wiggin. He grew up in Wakefield, Sanbornville, New Hampshire with his parents and three siblings. An outstanding collection of 10 of Stuart’s older brother, Albert W. Wiggin Jr. ’s letters can be found in a separate listing (#0010310). During his time in the U. S. Navy, Stuart was part of the U. S. S. Bushnell Submarine Squadron One, stationed at the U. S. Submarine Base in New London, CT; Camp Shoemaker, CA; Fort George G. Meade, MD; U. S. S. Blackfin, San Francisco; and Fort Devens, Ayer, MA. The letters on offer here were written seven months apart, in December, 1944 and July, 1945. In them, Stuart writes to his grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. A. O. Robinson. The first letter was written on December 7, 1944. At this time, Stuart is an F2 (Fireman Second Class) and is staying at the US Naval Training Centre in Sampson, New York. The letter is not focused on the war, rather on his studies, his friends and the weather and driving conditions around the center. It is funny that his comment about the quality of his academic instruction is no different then the way a 17-year-old in the 21st century may speak of their own classes: “School is just the same as ever and not very interesting. They put too much stress on the wrong things and don’t seem to care very much about the important things”. Stuart acknowledges that while school is not interesting to him, “It is a lot better than a lot of the other service schools and it’s better than being out to sea”. The second letter was written on July 1st, 1945 and contains details that will appeal to naval enthusiasts. Stuart is now an F1 (Fireman First Class) and is stationed in the U. S. Submarine Base in New London, Connecticut. It is a Sunday so he hasn’t much to do. Stuart tells his grandparents that he has been exploring and comparing submarines from Germany, Italy and Britain. He also hangs out with some British Navy Officers who are in the US on his base. An excerpt from the letter follows: “I went down to the lower base to look over some of the boats. I took a look at the German sub which is quite a boat. I was on an Italian sub a couple of weeks ago that had much better accommodations for the men, but the German was the better of the two. We have a couple British subs. Down here now and I went aboard one of them. It was about the dirtiest thing I have ever been on and not much of a boat either…” [Historical Note: This German sub Wiggin mentions is in reference to U-858 which surrendered to the United States Navy in May, 1945]. Taken together, these two letters give insight into the experience of a Navy officer during the Second World War who sees action but also gets an education and observes his surroundings. If the name “Stuart Wiggin” sounds familiar, it is likely because there is a Stuart Wiggin Collection of letters at the University of New England. These are part of the Bush Legacy Collection established by Pres. George H and Barbara Bush at the university. The Bush Legacy Collection also includes the Randall J. Cushing Collection of World War I and World War II Letters, 1914-1963, a collection of approximately 1,500 letters among members of 27 families of U. S. Soldiers in those wars. These letters are separate from that collection and, to the best of our knowledge, the Bush Legacy Collection contains only letters written by Stuart to his parents, not to his grandparents. Both letters are written in pen in an easy cursive hand and fill two sides of single sheets of paper. There is normal signs of age present as the letters and envelopes are slightly discoloured, but there are no rips or tears to the letters or envelopes. Overall G+. ; Letters; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 2 pages; Signed by Author. Very Good with no dust jacket .

Keywords: 2 Soldier


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