Robert H. McVay Second World War correspondence, 1943 December 22 - 1950 February 15

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Summary

Creators:
McVay, Robert Harrell and McVay, Kipling L.
Abstract:
This collection contains letters, photographs, and written correspondence from AMM3/C, Robert H. McVay, USAAF during the Second World War.
Extent:
.21 Linear Feet (3 folders)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Robert Harrell McVay Second World War correspondence (2017.518.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains correspondence, realia and ephemera from AMM3/C Robert McVay, USAAF to his parents during and after the Second World War. Also included is a supplementary file featuring the biographical information of McVay.

Biographical / historical:

Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class Robert Harrell McVay, United States Army Air Force (10/30/1925 - 6/11/1989) was born to parents George Birch McVay and Ida Ruby Smith McVay in Cochran, Georgia. Robert attended the Cochran public schools and was a member of Boy Scout Troop #53. Along with his friends, he signed up for the aviation branch of service. From 1943 to 1946, he served in the US Navy and soon after completed his studies at Middle Georgia College in Cochran. He reenlisted in the Air Force on October 22, 1947, and served until he was discharged as a Master Sergeant in late 1964/early 1965.

During his service, he was stationed in the Pacific theater, serving at the Admiralty Islands, Saipan, and the Philippines, and later performed duties in Germany, Africa, France, and back home in the United States. He was awarded the American Area Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal with three bronze stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal with one bronze star, the German Occupation Medal, the Berlin Air Lift clasp, the Humane Action Medal, Senior Air Crew Members Wings, the Good Conduct Medal with five loops, the Sharpshooters Medal, the NCO Academy Ribbon, the Victory Medal with three bronze stars, and was commended by the Air Force on December 6, 1944 and the Navy on April 23, 1945. He married to Yvette Chouchesne on January 13, 1952, and later adopted their daughter, Sylvia Lee McVay, and her sone, their grandson Thomas Robert Roetzler, Jr. Robert McVay retired from military service on December 9, 1986, receiving a medal and a certificate for completing over fourty years of service. Robert passed away in 1989 and is interred at Cedar Hill Cemetary in Cochran, Georgia. (Source: donor)

Acquisition information:
Gift of Kipling L. McVay.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by material type, author, and date.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Preferred citation:

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Robert Harrell McVay Second World War correspondence (2017.518.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Contact:
(714) 532-7716
privette@chapman.edu
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