The collection is comprised of a diary, military papers, notes, newspaper clippings, and a letter relating to two St. Louisans who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II: Robert L. Christmann and Sidney R. Feiner. The materials date from 1942 to 1946 and are arranged alphabetically. Robert L. Christmann kept a diary from January to November 1942 (The Everyday Diary). His girlfriend, Lorraine C. Croissant, gave it to him before he left Chanute Field in January 1942 with the inscription: “Sweetheart, keep a record of the days we spend apart in this diary so when we get together we can compare notes. Love, Lorraine.” After Christmann was killed in action, his friend Jack N. Curtis arranged to have the diary returned to Lorraine in 1943 (f.2). She kept it for decades, and after her death, her son donated it to the Missouri Historical Society. Christmann wrote almost daily, except in May and June, of his activities at posts from Sheppard Field (Texas), Lowry Field (Colorado), Harding Field (Louisiana), and Baer Field (Indiana). He also included a key to his locations on the calendar page and a written chronology of his travels in the memoranda section of the diary. While at Harding Field, Christmann flew gunnery and bombing training missions, both day and night flights, in a B-26 over the Gulf of Mexico with the 437th Bomb Squadron, 319th Bomb Group (July-September). He recorded how they secured planes during hurricanes in Louisiana and that an engine caught fire during their flight from Baer Field to Presque Isle, Maine (Sept. 23). After arriving in Maine, Christmann heard news that his friend, Ray Colestock, and his crew died when their plane crashed upon take off. Before leaving the U.S., Christmann listened to the World Series at the U.S.O., St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Yankees. In the last game on October 5th, with the score tied in the 8th inning, the radio stopped working. The next day, Christmann left for Goose Bay and then for Greenland where he and friends hiked on glaciers (October 10, 12). On October 14th, he arrived in Iceland, which he described as “pro-German” (it was neutral but occupied by the British and then by American military), windy, and the target of German air raids. Christmann arrived at the Royal Air Force Attlebridge station in England on October 25, 1942. His crew’s B-26 was fully armored there before they left on the Andes from Liverpool for Algeria. He described the escort that accompanied their ship near the Rock of Gibraltar. (November 20). On November 28, 1942, Christmann flew his first mission over an oil refinery and railroad roundhouse in Tunis. In his last entry on the next day, he explained preparations made by the crew for the following day’s mission, in which they expected heavy opposition. Christman’s friends wrote in his diary on November 30th, “Killed in action on bombing raid 1:30 P.M.” Sgt. Jack N. Curtis added the last entry on December 1st, explaining the shot that killed his friend. Other items relating to Robert L. Christmann include a note he sent to Lorraine via the Red Cross, letting her know he was safely somewhere in North Africa, and the October 16, 1943, letter to Lorraine Croissant written by Jack N. Curtis, which he enclosed in the back of the diary. There are several newspaper clippings about Christmann’s death and burial, two funeral programs, and a memorial poem by Zelma Sommerfeldt (f.2). There are only six items relating to Sidney Feiner’s service. The two earliest items pertain to his pre-flight training in Minnesota: a folder with his identification information and a handout of measurements important for pre-flight students. It is difficult to discern when a handwritten note regarding the duties expected of various guards and the Officer of the Day was produced. A certificate declares Feiner an “Honorary Resident of Guam,” having served there for a year with the 35th Photo Tech Unit. Feiner’s 1946 discharge papers reveal much information about his training and assignments with the AAF.