The papers consist of correspondence, mostly from Washington’s service during WWII, a pocket diary, military personnel documents, a small number of documents from Washington’s life after the war, a photograph of John E. Washington, and his funeral program. The collection is arranged alphabetically by type of document. Items date from 1943 to 2007, with the largest gaps from 1954 to 1956, from 1961 to 1971, and from 1976 to 2001. Most of the collection relates to Washington’s Army service during WWII. The correspondence dates from September 1943 to June 1945 and is addressed to either his mother, Rosetta Washington, or to his sister, Eula Mae Dyer. The first letter from 1943 is addressed to Josh, possibly his stepfather, and asks for money so he can remain at Camp Lee. Washington wrote from Camp Lee, Virginia; from an undisclosed location while he waited to cross the Atlantic Ocean; from North Africa; and then from Italy. He signed several of his letters “Len” or “S/Sgt John E. Washington.” However, his personnel records indicate that his rank was private first class. In 1944, Washington sent a telegram wishing his family a Merry Christmas. Two other soldiers wrote to Washington’s mother and sister during this time. There are several envelopes with the collection which do not match the letters. Washington wrote in a pocket diary which he entitled, “My Life Overseas,” from 17 May 1944 to 15 November 1944. He recorded more about his days in Italy and his private thoughts in this dairy than he did in his letters home. Washington mentioned going to shows, weekend leave with other soldiers, playing baseball, and seeing planes shot down. The military documents include Washington’s army vaccination records, a pay record book, a transcript of his military record, and discharge documents at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. He used the G.I. Bill and there are also documents relating to his eligibility, training, and payment. Correspondence dating after WWII include letters to friends in 1946 while Washington lived in Chicago, a telegram congratulating the Washington’s upon their marriage in 1950, and a letter from his nephew Andrew Lee Lyles. Lyles wrote to his uncle from the Missouri State Penitentiary in 1953. Other documents post-dating WWII include a 1949 studio photograph of Washington, licenses authorizing Washington to preach, a business card for Denise Cleaners which he owned, wage information from Narcotics Service Council, and Washington’s funeral program with a detailed biography.