Guide to the Russell Craig Von Oesen Papers 1923, 1944-1945 MG 1596
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 1923, 1944-1945 52 Park Place Newark, New Jersey 07102 Contact: NJHS Library Phone: (973) 596-8500 x249 Email: library@jerseyhistory.org URL: https://www.jerseyhistory.org © 2004 All rights reserved. The New Jersey Historical Society, Publisher Inventory prepared by Shawn Ryan Rosa. Finding aid encoded by Julia Telonidis. October 2004. Production of the EAD 2002 version of this finding aid was made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Finding aid written in English. Biographical NoteRussell Craig Von Oesen was born on June 27, 1923, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Von Oesen served as Pharmacist 3rd Mate in the United Stated Navy during World War II. Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Content NoteThis collection consists of the World War II correspondence between Russell Craig Von Oesen, members of the United States Navy, family and friends. The bulk of the letters are written by Von Oesen to his wife, Cathie. These letters almost always concern Von Oesen’s desire to be reunited with his new bride. Other individuals addressed by Von Oesen, include his parents and several military acquaintances. Two noteworthy letters deal with the Japanese surrender and the return of Von Oesen’s unit to the United States. Also included in the collection is what appears to be a typed press release announcing that Von Oesen has been court-martialed for “going AWOL” and traveling to Florida to be with his new bride. The press release further announces that he was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison, and that both his wife and his mother were hospitalized due to a mental illness sustained from the trauma of his ordeal. There is no evidence in the collection, however, to support the authenticity of this press release. Not one of the one hundred fifty letters addressed to his wife after this date mention the court-martial, his punishment, or any mental distress that she may be suffering. Additionally, it is clear from these letters that Von Oesen was on active duty from June-December 1945, writing from a number of Naval ships and ports. It is likely that the press release was meant to tease Von Oesen about his homesickness and his overwhelming desire to be reunited with his wife, which he mentions in every letter home. Finally, the collection contains two letters sent to Von Oesen by Emory University in reference to his application to the University’s School of Medicine. Return to the Table of Contents Administrative InformationPreferred CitationThis collection should be cited as: Manuscript Group 1596, Russell Craig Von Oesen Papers, The New Jersey Historical Society. Acquisition InformationPurchased by the New Jersey Historical Society in June 2002. Return to the Table of Contents Container List
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