Todd, Thomas M. (1917-1987), Papers, 1938-1950 (C3790)

46 folders

INTRODUCTION

Papers of Thomas McCutcheon Todd, a World War II soldier from Nevada, Missouri, comprised primarily of letters written to Todd's family. Many of the letters were written while Todd was in military training and during his enlistment in the U.S. Army; they detail issues of work, family, war, and death during the 1940s.

DONOR INFORMATION

The Thomas M. Todd Papers were donated to the State Historical Society of Missouri by Todd on 26 January 1987 (SHS Accession No. 2635).

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Thomas McCutcheon Todd was born October 22, 1917, in Nevada, Missouri. He lived there until he went to Wichita, Kansas, in late 1940 to work as a carpenter for Cessna Aircraft Corporation. While there he was engaged twice but did not marry. Todd volunteered for the army in 1942. Medical examiners gave him a limited service rating because he had hip trouble. After being stationed in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Todd was sent to Memphis, Tennessee, to attend X-ray school. He was then returned to Fort Leavenworth.

In 1944 Todd was reexamined by doctors and given a general service rating. He was then sent to England. He also served in France and Germany. Todd was engaged while in Germany but did not marry. In 1946 he was sent home.

After the war, Todd attended college at Central Missouri State College. Once he finished his degree in adult education, he worked in various teaching positions. In 1952 Todd married a college teacher, Jean Lipsell. Later in his career Todd was named arts and crafts director at Fort Riley, Kansas. He stayed in that position for twenty years until his retirement in 1977.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Thomas M. Todd letters describe Todd's moving away from home and provide glimpses of his life in the army. Todd worked for over a year as a carpenter at Cessna Aircraft Corporation in Wichita, Kansas. He spent approximately three years overseas in the service. As a serviceman, Todd was stationed in England, France, and Germany.

Todd describes the English as being a gentle but unintelligent people. France seemed to cause Todd many frustrations due to the language barrier--hence, his remarks about "the French being a perfume loving, clothes conscious, and a garlic smelling race." Even so, Todd mentions that Paris is a European city of intense beauty. Germany was a place that Todd respected because of the people's determination to repair their country; for instance, they took doors, roof slates, and lighting fixtures from war-damaged homes to place in their new dwellings.

Many of the letters are over four pages long. After the war, Todd used the letters as references for his self-published books, copies of which are at the State Historical Society.

Also included in the collection are letters from his father, Tom B. Todd, to Todd's sister and aunt.

FOLDER LIST

f. 1-61938-1942. Letters to the Todd family from Thomas M. Todd, who is called Mac. Also included are letters from others to various family members. Many of the letters describe Todd's life in Wichita, Kansas, where he worked as a carpenter for Cessna Aircraft Corporation. While in Wichita, Todd decides to enter the army. He goes to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for basic training.
f. 7-121943. The letters focus on Todd's becoming a "total G.I." He has the chance to attend X-ray school in Memphis, Tennessee, and decides to attend. When he returns to Fort Leavenworth, Todd works as an X-ray technician rather than at general-duty activities.
f. 13-301944. Todd tells of being sent overseas because he speaks German. He is first sent to England where he is fortunate enough to have time to travel the countryside. Many of the letters describe the country and the British people and their ways. Todd also talks about the devastation due to the war; for instance, he tells about damage from the blitz. Todd's letters start to be censored by the army. After several months in England, Todd leaves England and goes to France. He spends as much time as possible exploring France. While there, he is involved in fighting the war.
f. 31-421945. Todd is now in Germany and reports to his family that all Germans are not evil. While in Germany, Todd sees total destruction of homes, churches, and schools and meets people from concentration camps and people who have been displaced from their homes. Todd also becomes engaged to a German woman.
f. 43-451946, 1950. Todd is back home from the war and working at Montgomery Ward until he can decide what to do with his G.I. benefits. In 1950 Todd receives a letter from his German former girlfriend.
f. 46Sample envelopes of World War II which display war propaganda of the period.

INDEX TERMS

These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at The State Historical Society of Missouri-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.