Nathan Hecker Letters
Object NameEnvelope
Letter
Clipping, Newspaper
Historic Owner
Nathan B. Hecker
Association
USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)
DateNovember 21–29, 1944
PeriodWorld War II
Mediumpaper, ink
ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts
Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of the Charles C. Robinson family. A2018.63
Object numberA2018.63
DescriptionExtent: 1 folderThe Nathan Hecker letters were sent to Nathan B. Hecker, a chief aviation radio technician, by his wife, Dorothy. Nathan Hecker was killed in the November 25, 1944 kamikaze attacks on board the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11). The letters never reached Hecker, and they were returned to Dorothy, stamped undeliverable.
The donor's father, Charles Robinson, was a letter carrier in the Fresno, California, area. Charles was unable to return the letters to Dorothy Hecker and they remained in his possession, unopened. His son suggests several reasons for this: the return address was her workplace, or she may have moved after her husband’s death. Charles was also a member of the National Auto Club, and he may have thought he could return them to her personally.
The letters were opened by museum staff members on October 10, 2018. They describe Dorothy's life back at home, updates on family and friends, her progress in Christmas shopping, and her worries about her husband in the war.
Correspondence; 2 unopened letters, November 21 & 29, 1944.
Both are addressed to "Nathan B. Hecker ACRT // USS Intrepid // Fleet Post Office // San Francisco // California" and have a return address of "Dorothy Hecker // 95 Uae - 1255 Broadway // Fresno, California." Both have a stamp on the front that reads "Returned to Sender // Unclaimed // By F.P.O., Directory // Service, Wash., D.C." in red ink and a stamp on the back that reads "Directory Service // F.P.O. Wash D.C. // Jan 6 1945" in blue ink.
Letter; November 21, 1944. In the letter, Dorothy describes food rationing, having too many points, and news about a mutual friend Charles having been injured in "France's Invasion" and been sent home to recover. She goes on to confirm she received money that Hecker had sent her, and that she has not started buying Christmas presents yet. Dorothy goes on to talk of Thanksgiving plans, family and friends that had recently visited, and a belated birthday card she received from an aunt. She closes by referring to the newspaper clippings she enclosed with the letter.
Clippings, Newspaper; 3 clippings from unknown newspaper. "Graduated," "Sunday, November 12th," and cartoon entitled "Ethel's Apartment is a little // Small for our family, but it's // her turn to have dinner!"
Letter; November 29, 1944. The letter begins with Dorothy describing her Christmas shopping, problems at work, the rarity of getting a piece of ham from the butcher, and a band show. She then begins to answer some questions Hecker had written her, and describes the goings on of various friends. She expresses that she does not worry that Hecker will come to any harm, but she does worry when she hears reports of carriers being attacked. She understands that she can't know all the details of damage, but would feel better if she knew what was going on. Dorothy explains that she has not sent Hecker a care package because several other people, including his mother, have done so recently so she does not want to bog him down with too much. She continues to talk about other acquaintances, money they should be receiving for a jacket of Hecker's they sold, and Dorothy's Thanksgiving. She apologizes for not including any clippings in this letter. She ends the letter by telling Hecker that she found a bracelet from her niece that she thought she had lost.
On View
Not on viewCollections
Edward C. McConkey
May 19–September 7, 1966
Object number: A2019.23
