WWII V-Mail
On June 15, 1942, the US Post Office Department officially inaugurated V-Mail service in which letters to and from members of the Armed Forces overseas were microfilmed for transporting, then printed out for the recipient. The name was derived from the "V for Victory" symbol used during World War II. Developed and operated in cooperation with the War and Navy Departments, V-Mail reduced the weight and bulk of military mail, creating more space for other, vital military cargo and providing safer, faster mail service for the military overseas. A combination letter and envelope on distinctive stationery, V-Mail received preferential sorting and transportation. V-Mail included space for a message on one side and instructions for sending the letter on the reverse.
My V-mail collection is extensive, and I value these pieces for the human stories they bring to the study of WWII history—and particularly WWII Jewish history. Of particular meaning to me are the V-mails from my father, Bernard Philipson (z”l) in the U.S. Army, to my grandmother Sylvia Philipson (z”l), as well as to his brother Herb (z”l), who was serving in the U.S. Navy. There are also V-mails from friends of the family addressed to my grandparents and c/o Philipson’s Army and Navy Stores in Utica, NY. The other V-mails that are of great interest to me are those illustrated with Jewish holiday themes including Passover and Rosh Hashanah. And, of course, the story of the two Stanleys, which I discovered and pieced together entirely through V-mail.
Important Moments
Highlights from the Collection
A V-Mail message from a Jewish chaplain informing recipients that their loved one attended Rosh Hashanah services.
A Christmas and New Year 1943 V-Mail by the famous Jewish GI Cartoonist, Dave Breger. Breger was the person who coined the phrase GI.
A 1943 Chef Boy-Ar-Dee ad promoting V-Mail
This Rosh Hashanah greeting card was created by a Jewish US serviceman in the South West Pacific theater for the Jewish New Year 5705 (1944–1945) and would be used as an approved V-Mail design. The back of this card reads, "Nancy: Just returned from services. Very nice. About 1,000 men attended. We were presented with these careds. I will mail more tomorrow. Love, JS."
An unused Christmas V-Mail from 1943.
A Zenith fountain pen advertisement, encouraging buyers to "write him via v-mail."
More V-Mail Christmas greetings.
A mailer promoting V-Mail for those at home writing to the men overseas.
Henrietta Szold 1943 Airgraph to Jerusalem, Palestine for London, UK.
The back of this original 1943 AP photo reads, "Washington, D.C. ~Lieutenant Frances Rich, (left) of the Women's Reserve, is the new V-Mail Officer for the Navy here. She inspects microfilm which Lt. Paul R. Grigsby shows her Lieutenant. Rich replaces Lieutenant Grigsby who is now available for combat duty. Miss Rich is the daughter of radio and screen star Irene Rich."
This V-Mail letter was returned to sender, noting the recipient had been killed in action.
This 1944 US Navy Seabees V-Mail features anti-Tojo imagery.
Kodak created both V-Mail and Airgraph, and this ad explains the method behind the medium.
Part of the V-Mail promotional mailer, an overview of what to write to loved ones about.
1944 WWII V-Mail
Instructions for correctly addressing a V-Mail form to ensure it's sent promptly.
A letter sent by an American soldier in France, detailing how they'd been able to open the synagogue for high holidays and invite the "handful of Jews who had survived from several thousands" to worship there.
A Jewish New Year greeting from Chaplain Norman Siegel, to the family of a soldier who'd attended recent services.
A V-Mail sent by a soldier in Africa to a friend, detailing his recent outing to a Jewish wedding—and his unfortunate mistake of sitting on the ladies' side of the church.
