Letters Home to St. Louis from World War II

A Few Precious Lines captures the experiences of St. Louisans who served in World War II, sharing their struggles, fears, and hopes through letters sent home. Scattered across battlefields, remote bases, and ships at sea, these men and women endured the hardships of war, finding solace in the letters they received from loved ones. Meanwhile, families in St. Louis anxiously awaited any news confirming their safety. This book tells the war’s story through firsthand accounts--letters written by those who lived it. From the city’s neighborhoods and surrounding towns, brave individuals answered their country’s call. Alphonse Andrews, a civilian worker, witnessed the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Adela Scharr, a pioneering female pilot, ferried fighter planes as a WASP. Omar Kolkmeier, a farm boy from St. Charles County, stormed the beaches in Italy. Charles Waugh, an attorney turned intelligence officer, flew dangerous missions over the Hump to China. Through their own words, these St. Louisans bring history to life, sharing the horrors of war, the pain of separation, and encounters with distant lands. Their letters preserve a deeply personal and powerful perspective on World War II.

Christopher Alan Gordon is an American historian, lecturer, and museum professional in St. Louis where serves as the director of library and collections for the Missouri Historical Society. He is a recipient of the Marc Simmons Writing Award for his research on the history of the Santa Fe Trail, and his 2018 book, Fire, Pestilence, and Death: St. Louis, 1849, won an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History and a Silver Medal for Regional Non-Fiction History by the Independent Book Publishers Association.