Chesley R. Hall manuscript collection

The collection contains documents related to Chesley “Chet” Roland Hall’s service with the Navy during World War II. This includes a diary kept by Hall during his time in Africa and London, England from 1943 to 1944. Hall recorded the events of almost every day of his active duty. He includes details about his day-to-day activities, battles he fought in, and the men he met along the way, as well as his emotional state and opinions.

Many of the entries talk about his work as an electrician for the Navy. He was in charge of setting up camps and hospitals, so he was constantly moving from base to base in Africa. He received several promotions for his efficient work and his leadership skills. He also frequently discusses the impact of battle on his mental health, which caused him to drink heavily, have nightmares, and talk in his sleep. He often discusses whether his experiences in battle would be damaging in the long-term and how much he had changed since he left home. Hall also expresses his displeasure that his wife took a job while he was away.

Another major topic of the diary is the preparations for what would be the Normandy Invasions. He describes training new soldiers and the work done to ready them and the ships for battle. In the end, he is not sent out with the invasion forces, but stays in London to continue work there.

The last entries in his diary were written during Germany’s final aerial assault on London after D-Day. In these passages, Hall recounts the horrible aftermath of the bombings, as he was often called out to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. The diary ends with his return to the United States in September, 1944.

Photocopies of a photograph of Hall and a commendation for his service are also included in the collection.