Finding Aid for the Edward J. Lenhardt Second World War correspondence 2019.043.w.r

Andrew Harman
Center for American War Letters Archives
6/18/2019
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu


Contributing Institution: Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Edward J. Lenhardt Second World War correspondence
source: Rogers, Teresa
Creator: Lenhardt, Edward Joseph, Staff Sergeant, 1922-2010
Identifier/Call Number: 2019.043.w.r
Physical Description: 0.01 Linear feet (1 folder)
Date (inclusive): 1942 December 30 - 1943 February 14
Abstract: This collection contains two letters from SSgt. Edward J. Lenhardt, USAAC to John Ladwein during the Second World War. Also included with one of the letters is a black and white photograph of SSgt. Lenhardt.
Language of Material: English .
Container: WWII 149
Container: 3
Container: 1

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Teresa Rogers, purchased at the estate sale of Edward J. Lenhardt.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically.

Biographical / Historical

Staff Sergeant Edward Joseph Lenhardt, United States Army Air Corps (1922-2010) lived Chicago, Illinois when he enlisted on August 10, 1940 while single with only a high school education. He served as a "Sergeant Pilot" with the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron during the war.

Preferred Citation

[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Edward J. Lenhardt Second World War correspondence (2019.043.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Content Description

This collection contains two letters from SSgt. Edward J. Lenhardt, USAAC to John Ladwein during the Second World War. Also included with one of the letters is a black and white photograph of SSgt. Lenhardt, and printouts from Ancestry.com have also been added to the collection.
The first letter dated December 30, 1942 mentions being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and how he enjoys his type of flying, in a troop carrier squadron. He asks about the people back home and tries to get in contact with some of them. In the second letter, he mentions being newly stationed in New Guinea in February 1943 and how hot the weather is compared to the snow of Chicago where Mr. Ladwein is located. He also mentions being a "Sergeant pilot" and that he assures that those still exist because he is one. This is in reference to a Stars and Stripes article saying they were all gone and had been replaced by a new rank, which he has now met some, which are flight officer commissions given to "lower classmen."

Conditions Governing Use

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. Chapman University does not own the copyright of this material.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Correspondence -- World War, 1939-1945
World War (1939-1945)
United States -- Army -- Air Forces
World War (1939-1945) -- Christmas
World War (1939-1945) -- Pacific Area
Rogers, Teresa