30 December 1943

Dear Bryantites,

Hail to the Service Club! There is no better morale builder than a letter with news of old friends and associates not to mention a welcome box of candy, yes, there is a fine organization.

There isn't much of interest for we "military men" of the home front. Can you imagine, in the Army twenty-three months and thirteen of those spent in North Carolina. There is little chance that our letters can equal those of the men who have been in Italy or Africa.

In spite of the fact that my fate seems to be to fight the battle of Wilmington, North Carolina and am still in the U.S.A., I don't have much contact with my friends of the pleasant days at Bryant and enjoy your long newsy letters to the fullest extent.

I want to wish each and every man and woman of Bryant College and Bryant Service Club a Happy and Victorious New Year.

Sincerely,
S/Sgt. Robert N. Fowler
[Transcription ends]

UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCES

Det. 901st Quartermaster Co.
Bluethenthal Field
Wilmington, N.C.
July 13, 1943.

Dear Bryant Service Club,

I hasten to acknowledge the letter from the Bryant Service Club and also the package which I received about a month ago. It isn’t that I didn’t’ get a great deal of pleasure from receiving the gift and also in consuming its contents; it is simply that the art of letter writing is not one of my possessions.

That list of addresses is a very good idea. There are quite a few missing, one of which I can supply:
T/3 William D. McCaughey
Hq. S.O.S. Q.M.
A.P.O. 871
New York, N.Y.

Bill is a graduate of the class of ’40. My own address has changed again as you can see.

We are all hoping to hear good news from Joe Buerdsell, he was a rather special buddy of mine.

Let’s have more of those letters, I really enjoy them. That is about my only source of news on my fellow Bryant graduates. More power to you.

Sgt. Robert N. Fowler [Transcription ends]

Dear Bryant Service Club,

Once again this soldier is glad to report that his package from the good old school has arrived safely and that it was much appreciated by him and his buddies.

I was pleased to notice in the Providence paper that Bryant is doing her part in the war effort in helping to make good clerical workers for the armed forces. In spite of the fact that the clerical end of the Army isn’t as glamerous [sic] as some other branches it is definitely important work which, when carried out speedily and efficiently, serves to give the Axis another “boot” which will eventually topple Hitler and his henchmen to complete defeat.

This boy has had very good luck at this base and has had two promotions in two months. I made sergeant on the 15th of last month. Bill McCaughey, who was in my class at Bryant is also a sergeant somewhere across the pond.

Thanks again for the package and good luck to all the Bryant men and women, past, present and future; you are doing a swell job with your letters and very welcome packages.

Sincerely,
Robert N. Fowler
[Transcription ends]

UNITED STATES
ARMY AIR FORCES

1 January 1945

Bryant Service Club,

Thanks a million for the box of candy which arrived in good shape in plenty of time to add the proper touch to the yuletide season.

I don’t know how your files can keep up with the many changes in addresses experienced by most military personnel. I have done the same job at the same military installation for two years but have had my address changed eight different times! Cheers to you because your file is up to date for me at least.

May I extend my sincere wishes for a prosperous new year to the Service Club, College, members of the faculty and the present student body.

Sincerely,
S/Sgt. Robert N. Fowler
A.S.N. 11044304 [Transcription ends]

[Transcription begins]
901st Quartermaster Co.
Army Air Base
Wilmington, N. C.

Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
Providence, R. I.

Hello !

Thanks for the candy you sent me here at the Army Base, it really was a welcome gift since candy is one of the hardest things to find both here on the Base and in the City of Wilmington, most anything is hard to find there.

We are situated at a brand new Air Base and thus far we don’t have much in the line of a Post Exchange. All the boys were hoping for plenty of candy for the Christmas holiday. I rather imagine that the two pounds won’t last long, but you may rest assured that [it]is being appreciated not only by me but by the other men in the barrack.

I am always interested in the doings of the graduates of Bryant and the November issue of the Bulletin provided plenty of such information.

We were well provided for at dinner today; I am sure that no one could have expected more at any Army camp. The mess sergeant has certainly a swift pace for himself from now on.

Thanks again for the gift. A happier new year to all the Bryant students.

Sincerely,
Robert N. Fowler

December 25, 1942.
[Transcription ends]

D. P. #2, Municipal Airport
Jacksonville, Florida

June 29, 1942

Bryant Service Club
Bryant College
Providence, R. I.

Dear Friends,

Just this morning I received a letter mailed June 8th. It had traveled to four rather distant points before it finally caught up, but it was very welcome in any case.

About two weeks ago a package of cookies also came my way after a trip nearly as long. I intended to notify you of my change in address, but before I had a chance to catch my breath from the last trip, I was on my way on another.

You will find my latest address in the upper right hand corner; it may be old before you send the next item, but at least it will cut down the trip by three or four stops.

Letters and packages mean a great deal to a man in the Army, which is a familiar remark by now, but nevertheless it is true. Candy and cigarettes are always available at the Post Exchange, but they mean more when they come through the mails as a gift.

Thanks again for your kindnesses, and I hope you get half the fun from sending as I do on the other end.

Very truly yours,

Pfc. Robert N. Fowler [Transcription ends]

703rd Q.M. Co. (Trk)
Provisional Air Base
Ft. Dix. New Jersey

May 5, 1942

Dear Sir:

Your package of candy arrived yesterday and I appreciated it more than you know. The above address is temporary for a month or two. My correct address is:

Pvt. Robert N. Fowler
901st Q.M. Co. (T-135)
Army Air Base
Grenier Field
Manchester, N.H.

We came down here on maneuvers and therefore the sweets are scare and the package doubly appreciated.

Very truly yours,

Robert N. Fowler [Transcription ends]