PARTNER

OBJECT ID

ddr-janm-17-68 (2018.22.69)

PARENT COLLECTION

George Nakamura Collection

DESCRIPTION

1 envelope, 1 letter written on front and back. Letter written from Mary Smythe to Nobuko Nakamura, dated June 3, 1944. Smyth writes about George Nakamura being in the hospital, for Nobuko to write to the Red Cross for her brother's release, Smythe also writes to Nobuko to not mention Smyth's name because they are only allowed to write what the soldiers want.\n\nEnvelope has 10 2-cent stamps; Stamp postmark reads "June 4, 1944" from Charleston, South Carolina; Mrs. L.C.M. Smythe's address on verso of envelope.\n\nTranscription:\nMy dear Nobuko,\nYour letter came a few days ago. When I saw George he was very glad when I said I would write to his father for him. A few days after that he was sent to Darnall General Hospital, Danville, Kentucky.\n\nWhen I go to the hospital here, I am supposed to write only what the soldiers ask me to write. When I wrote to your father, I signed my own name, as I wanted him to know that I was interested in the Japanese soldiers, and I was very glad to get your answer.\n\nI think the best thing for you to do is to write a letter to "Director American Red Cross", Darnall Gen. Hospital, Danville, Kentucky.\n\nSay in the letter that you think your brother is in that hospital, and you would appreciate it very much if the Red Cross would find out how he is and deliver a letter to him, which you would enclose. Ask the Red Cross if you could write letters directly to your brother, and if so, how you should address them. Put in your letter to the Red Cross a letter to your brother. I think the Red Cross there will give him your letter, and write you about him.\n\nDo not mention my name, and do not say how you found out that he is in that hospital. As I am only supposed to write you what the soldiers dictate.\n\nI hope you are able to get in touch with George and find that he is getting on well, let me know how this plan works. I will be thinking of you and your family. Yours sincerely, Mary F. Smythe\nMrs. L.C.M. Smythe

CONTRIBUTOR

Japanese American National Museum

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Japanese American National Museum (Gift of the Nakamura Family, 2018.22)

RIGHTS