[Archive]: U.S. Navy Officer's Letters and Bluejacket's Manual with Photo Album from World War II, 1942-1946

A collection of 79 letters to and from Marion Alexander Cassell during his time in the Navy from 1942 through 1946 as well as a photo album and his copy of the *Bluejackets' Manual.* Album is an oblong octavo measuring 11" x 7". Brown cloth boards bound together with string. The album contains 66 gelatin silver black and white or sepia toned photographs measuring between 1.5" x 1" and 5" x 3.5" with some captions written on the back of the photographs. The *Bluejackets' Manual* is a tenth edition. 12mo. 784pp. Blue cloth boards with stamped green titles. All items are near fine. The letters have light creasing from mailing; the book has modest spotting on the top page-edge with lightly bumped corners; and the photo album has tiny tears and small chips. Letters to and from Marion Alexander Cassell during his time in the Navy from various locations some being, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Most of the letters are from Cassell's mother, Mary, in Oak Hill, Ohio. She writes often of how much she misses him and dotes on his health; "You boys need all you can get and for all you have done! Be sure and have a heart check!" She also brings up the women her son is dating, as she mentions Doris Wallentine and three other women, Edith, Florence, and Alice Dodds. There are a couple of letters written by Cassell addressed to his mother. He mostly writes about his time traveling from place to place and though he was in the navy, he frequently got seasick, "Now I know what it's like to be seasick. You just get so sick you don't care whether the world comes or goes". He writes often about how he is sick and tired but enjoys the journey. He also writes to his mother about the many different "blondes" he flirts with, "I really do love her (Florence). Coincidentally, I met a beautiful blonde the other day. I really do like blondes, I just can't seem to help it." Several letters are from Doris Wallentine, an admirer or romantic interest of Cassell's from Dallas, Texas. She often writes very flatly and rarely shows interest in their relationship. Only a few times does she write anything about the two of them, "Frankly, I was quite flattered that you thought enough of me to travel 1400 miles to see me - and maybe also by the fact that you say you didn't flirt with any blondes - because, knowing you, I know that must have been quite a strain! Ha! Ha!" Wallentine also expressed an interest in joining the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), "I have been thinking about rather seriously joining the Waves - what would you think of that - as I know you never had much a woe for women in uniform?" Another admirer, Alice Dodds also frequently writes to Cassell. Her earliest letter (from Wellesley, Massachusetts) to Cassell attempts to reconnect with him after 18 months of not talking, "I had to decide whether not to reply to your last letter sent 18 months ago.At this time you may be a dignified married man who no longer desires to carry a ‘pole,' of candy under his arm. Pardon my terrible correspondence." However, the letters written from her to Cassell after are warm and friendly. Cassell did not end up marrying or continuing his romantic relationship with Wallentine, Edith, Florence, or Alice Dodds as in 1955, he married Hazel Clare Moreland. According to sources not in this archive, Moreland traveled across the country to start a new life in Los Angeles. There she met Naval Commander Marion Cassell. After their marriage in 1955, they traveled the world together as well as across continental North America. Moreland worked for the founders of MGM during the golden era of Hollywood. She became involved with script writing and film production, and considered herself fortunate to know many of the stars during that period. Cassell never had any children and passed away in 1990 at the age of 80. Additionally featured in the *Bluejackets' Manual* is a gelatin silver sepia photograph of Marion Alexander Cassell lai. …