Physical Description: .16 Linear Feet(2 folders)
Language of Material: English.
Scope and Contents
This series contains letters from SSgt. Lester B. Levy, USAAC to Julie Kostbar while he was stationed at Chanute Field in
Illinois and overseas at Clark Field in the Philippines. The letters describe activities at the bases and military life.
In one letter, dated February 26, 1941, Levy writes about how he was court-martialed and placed under "post restriction" after
the barracks chief reported him as AWOL. In a March 26, 1941 letter, Levy writes about how a Martin B-26 "cracked up on the
runway apron." Levy also describes sailing overseas on the USS Pierce. In a June 7, 1941 letter, Levy writes that it is the
maiden voyage of the USS Pierce as an army transport. In a possible reference to the "Flying Tigers", the letter also describes
how the ship was carrying "30 other fellows who are going to China as flyers to fight against Japan."
A May 28, 1941 refers to the death of boxer Max Schmeling in battle (He actually was wounded and survived) The letter also
refers to President Roosevelt and the draft.
Other letters of interest include an October 3, 1941 letter in which Levy writes about German Jewish refugees in Manila.
A July 2nd, 1941 letter refers to an order by "Lt. Colonel Maitland" (Lester Maitland) requiring men to grow beards and an
October 18, 1941 letter describes witnessing a plane crash. It also describes another accident involving two lieutenants.
A letter postmarked June 11, 1941 has a drawing of Levy.