Correspondence of Edwin Ziemann, 1942-1945

Edwin Ziemann was the son of Immanuel and Martha Ziemann. Edwin was born in Krem, North Dakota, though he lived in Montana for much of his life. Edwin married Emogene “Jean” Maria in Lewiston, Montana on August 25, 1946. They had two daughters, LaDonna Ost, and Anita Boyum. Edwin served in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater as a Chief Petty Officer, First Class. Edwin joined the Navy on February 21, 1942, in Seattle, Washington. He served until December 22, 1945. Edwin’s first assignment was in April 1942, aboard the U.S.S. Henderson, which left from San Diego, California, in route to Pearl Harbor. This collection consists of transcribed letters Edwin wrote to his family, mainly his older brother, Herbert, and Herbert’s wife, Ella Ellwein Ziemann, while he was in the United States Navy. These letters were transcribed by Cindy Highley, who is Edwin’s niece. The original letters were saved by Ella Ziemann and came into Cindy’s possession after Ella’s death. The originals were kept by the family, so the transcripts are the only available documentation. Much of the letters describe Edwin’s living and working conditions for his day-to-day life while in the Navy, as well as his thoughts and discussions regarding his family. The letters date from March 3, 1942, until April 26, 1945, although there are long gaps between letters. There are photocopied images of Edwin Ziemann on the July 31, 1942, letter, a photocopied image of Edwin with his signature on page two of the November 29, 1943, letter, and a photocopied image of Edwin from 1949 within April 26, 1945, letter. Donated by Cindy Highley, Bismarck, North Dakota, on July 13, 2021 (2021-3445). Processed by Julie Faust, Special Collections Assistant, February 2022.