Identified V-Mail
V-Mail identified to Joseph F. McDonald - 83rd Signal Company
Original censored WWII Army V-Mail cover and letter, dated May 11, 1944. The V-Mail was sent by Pvt. Joseph F. McDonald to his mother Mrs. J. V. McDonald (fathers name) of 51 Lenox Avenue, Glenbrook (a section of the city of Stamford), Connecticut. The cover contains also his original V-mail letter. The address the envelope was sent from was APO #83 which was in Keele Hall, England on this date.
Note: Put into practice in June 1942, V-mail became the most popular way for the troops to correspond across the ocean. As a way to limit bulk mail, V-mail blanks were submitted, photographed, then condensed and sent in special envelopes.
Pvt. Joseph F. McDonald
Private
Joseph F. McDonald
Private Joseph F. McDonald
Joseph Francis "Joe" McDonald was born on March 19, 1925, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the son of James V. and Emma F. (Blaw) McDonald.
Joseph F. McDonald entered the service as a draftee (#31338431) on August 9, 1943 at New Haven, Connecticut. During World War II, he proudly served his country as a member of the 83rd Signal Company, 83rd Infantry Division in the European Theatre.
Pvt. McDonald discharged during the period of December 29 to 30, 1945 at Fort Devens Separation Center, Massachusetts. (source: "CONNECTICUT VETERANS COMMEMORATIVE BOOKLET" Vol.IX - Dec.30,1945 - No.12)
Joseph 'Joe' McDonald was a graduate of Stamford High School and attended Merrill Business School. When he returned home from the Army, he began his 41 year long career with Machlett Laboratories in Stamford, CT which later became Raytheon Company. His strong faith and an unwavering belief in God contributed to the importance of religion in his life. Mr. McDonald was a longtime member of St. Maurices RC Church and was a Eucharistic Minister. He also had been a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Augustine Council #41. Joseph McDonald married Marie Moore on June 30, 1956.
Joseph F. McDonald, 85, died peacefully on March 28, 2010 at the Richard L. Rosenthal Hospice Residence. He was predeceased by his wife of 34 years, Marie McDonald (1924-1991).
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