Personal Narrative 3D Object Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Edward Gottlieb Zahler Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army Air Forces/Corps
- Unit of Service: 85th Airdrome Squadron; 8th Air Force
- Location of Service: New Jersey; Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana; Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; North Carolina; Philippines; New Guinea; Ie-Shima (Ryukyu Islands); Australia; Pacific Theater
- Highest Rank: Corporal
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/112362
The oldest of eight siblings, Edward Gottlieb Zahler enlisted in the Army Air Forces following the attack on Pearl Harbor, and served in the Pacific Theater as a flight engineer with the 8th Air Force. His Veterans History Project collection includes 91 letters written to his younger sister Lillian. While his correspondence is light-hearted--full of brotherly teasing, movie recommendations, and funny anecdotes about military life--his letters evidence mutual affection and concern. They also portray the challenges of a family with multiple members in service. As the war dragged on, Zahler became increasingly concerned about the fate of his kid brother Donald, who had enlisted in the Army Air Forces with him and was serving with the 91st Bomb Group in the European Theater. Lillian Zahler donated both of her brothers' collections to the Veterans History Project in 2018.
