“It’s a Wonderful Life” Star Donna Reed Quietly Keeps WWII Letters from Soldiers for Decades Daughter Says

Mary Owen discovered shocking things about her mother 17-years after Hollywood star died.

It was 2003, when Donna Reed’s daughter found 350-plus shoes in her shoeboxes. letters from World War II soldiers. The trunk was kept by the matriarch in her Beverly Hills, California home, for more than 40 year.

“When WWII was over, nobody really wanted to talk about it anymore because everyone participated in it,” Owen spoke to Fox News Digital. “I didn’t know anything about these letters.”

From top, clockwise: James Stewart, Donna Reed and Carol Coombs. Larry Simms, Jimmy Hawkins & Karolyn Grimes – “It’s a Wonderful Life.” (Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty Images

Reed, an Oscar-winning actress who is best known for her role as Mary Hatch Bailey’s loving wife the holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” In 1986, she was 64 years old. She was among many stars of show business who proudly supported the war effort to lift the American troops.

‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’ STAR KAROLYN GRIMES REVEALS WHY SHE LEFT HOLLYWOOD: ‘IT BECAME MY PAST LIFE’

The Hollywood Canteen opened its doors in 1942 and became a refuge for military personnel. They could enjoy a hot meal, watch a movie, or even dance with their favorite stars. Over 3 million people visited the Hollywood Cafeteria between 1942-45.

“I still have my mother’s ration cards,” Owen chuckled. Owen chuckled. She sold bonds whenever she visited her parents in Iowa. She was a dancer at the Hollywood Canteen, among other things. Several of her movies … were shown at base camps. She began receiving these letters around 1940, 1941 but closer to the close of the war.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases