Wilburn F. Bonifay Letter
Object NameCorrespondence
Historic Owner
Wilburn F. Bonifay
Association
USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)
DateDecember 25, 1944
PeriodWorld War II
Mediumpaper, ink
ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts
Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of the family of W.F. (Bill) Bonifay. A2017.33
Object numberA2017.33
DescriptionExtent: 1 folderCorrespondence; Five (5) pages. Letter is on U.S. Navy letterhead with a blue Navy insignia and "United States Navy" printed in blue on one side of each page.
December 25, 1944. Addressed to "mom & all", signed "Your Son // Wilburn". In the letter, Bonifay talks about the November 25, 1944 kamikaze attacks on the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid. He describes being afraid of being unable to hear an order to abandon ship because the loud speakers were damaged in the attack. He goes on to express the effects the attack has had on his mental health, and tells the story of his reaction to another sailor whistling like a bomb. Bonifay also expresses frustration over not being able to get home during leave due to sold out trains and bad weather cancelling flights. He ends the letter warning his mother not to show the letter to anyone outside of the family because he is not supposed to tell them as much as he has written, and tells his parents how much he misses and appreciates them.
On View
Not on viewCollections
Edward C. McConkey
May 19–September 7, 1966
Object number: A2019.23
