Gershkoff, Myra Strachner, Papers

Scope and Contents Note

These papers consist chiefly of letters between Myra Strachner and Private First Class (PFC) Bernard (Bernie) Staller during World War II. The earliest letter, dated January 23, 1941, was written by Bernie when he and Myra were 15 years old. Though they both lived in the Bronx, they felt the need to communicate to each other in writing. These letters express their early attraction to each other. Bernie interrupted his studies at the City College of New York when he was inducted into the Army in February 1944, and was sent to Fort Dix. The correspondence becomes voluminous as the couple often wrote to each other daily, and sometimes more than once a day. Myra was living at home in the Bronx with her parents and sister while attending New York University. Her letters describe her life as a student, as well as her relationships with her family and friends. She freely and eloquently expresses her feelings, ideas and hopes. She comments on the news, and quotes from books and poetry. Of particular note are Myra's comments on the philosophy courses taught by Sidney Hook. She describes his teaching methods, opinions, and warm interest in her.

In March 1944, Bernie was transferred to Camp Wolters, Texas, for basic training. He was assigned to an anti-tank unit in the 53rd Infantry Battalion, 4th Platoon. His letters describe in detail his daily routine and training exercises, as well as his social life off base. Bernie's letters indicate that he adjusted well to army life, enjoying the routine and making friends. Bernie completed basic training in July 1944, and was sent to Camp Van Dorn in Mississippi. He requested placement in an anti-tank company, and was assigned to Company B of the 255th Regiment, 63rd Division of the 4th Army. The 63rd Division was known as the Blood and Fire division. Bernie's letters offer detailed descriptions of life in camp, the regulations, training exercises, work details, and social life. In November 1944, Bernie was promoted to Private First Class and deployed in France, where his division was attached to the 7th Army. His letters provide excellent descriptions of infantry life during the final months of the war. He tells of life in a foxhole, various billeting arrangements, army rations, and conditions in the local towns. Bernie describes his involvement in defensive actions and in patrols on the front lines.

Bernie's last letter is dated March 14, 1945. Three weeks later, he was reported missing in action. Over the following week, Myra continued to write to him, hopeful that he was safe. Her last letter is dated April 15, 1945. The following day, the Staller family was informed that Bernie had been killed on March 19 on the Siegfried Line in a German artillery barrage. Myra's letters to Bernie between February and April 1945 were returned to her unopened and marked "Deceased." Thereafter Myra received letters from Bernie's army friends, who tell of the circumstances of Bernie's death and express their sympathy.

These papers include typed transcripts of all the couple's letters from 1941 to 1945 prepared by Myra Strachner Gershkoff, as well as material from Myra's scrapbook and a recording of Bernie's voice. Also included are 67 photographs, most relating to Bernie's army career. A few of the original letters are missing. Myra's last letter to Bernie was published in the book, Since You Went Away: World War II Letters from American Women on the Home Front, edited by Judy Barrett Litoff and David C. Smith (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991), page 237.

These papers contain an exceptional series of letters. Myra and Bernie were natural writers, and their letters are articulate, humorous, and thoughtful. They explore their feelings toward each other, discuss their views on life, relive memories, and exchange dreams. Both Myra and Bernie are Jewish and, occasionally, they relate experiences and opinions that explore the meaning of their faith in their lives. The tone of the writing is far more mature than their years. The letters are rich in the details of both army life and the home front during World War II. They offer a poignant view of the human cost of war.

Accretions to the original group added letters and V-Mail between Bernie and his parents and siblings, including approximately 36 that were returned, marked "missing" or "deceased." The letters are similar in content to those he had sent to Myra. In return his family kept him informed of activities and events back home. In addition there are numerous letters of sympathy and condolences sent to the Staller family from relatives, friends, fellow soldiers, commanding officers, and public officials.

These papers also include official communications from the War Department concerning initial reports of Bernie being "Missing in Action" and later confirmation of his having been "Killed in Action." Further communication from the government concerns the return of personal effects, collection of death benefits, and awarding of the Purple Heart.

Lastly, this collection includes a year book autograph book, photographs, and other memorabilia related Bernie's career as a student at James Monroe High School in Bronx, New York (Class of 1943); artifacts related to Bernie's military service, including a canteen, garrison caps, tobacco pouch, and Purple Heart that was awarded posthumously to the Staller family.

Related Collections

The holdings of this repository include about 40 additional collections of original manuscript letters written by soldiers who had served in the armed forces during the World War II. Information about these collections can be found by searching the online catalog by entering search terms: "World War 1939-1945 Personal Narratives." 

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