Physical Description: .16 Linear Feet(2 folders)

This series contains letters that Lester B. Levy of the US Army Air Corps wrote 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.

Physical Description: .25 Linear Feet

This series contains one letter dated December 29, 1941 that Julie Kostbar sent to her fiance Private Lester Levy while he was stationed at Clark Field in the Philippines. Kostbar's letter to Levy discusses the attack on Pearl Harbor. She also writes about a cablegram that Levy had sent to his father reporting that he was safe after the attacks by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor and other bases. The letter never reached Levy and the envelope is marked "Return to Sender. Service Suspended." Information provided by the donor says Levy was captured after the fall of Bataan and died on July 3, 1942 at a prison camp in the Philippines.

Physical Description: .025 Linear Feet(1 folder)

This series includes one photograph of Lester Levy and three photographs of Julie Kostbar. There is also a newspaper clipping, of unknown date, reporting Levy's death.

Information on the back of Levy's photograph says it was taken at Chanute Field on November 11, 1940.

Physical Description: .025 Linear Feet(1 folder)

This series contains biographical information about Lester Levy from the "Find a Grave" website. There is also information from "Find A Grave" about Levy's father, Harry. In addition, there is a typewritten copy of a eulogy that the collection donor gave about his aunt, Julie Kostbar, in 1995. Kostbar was the recipient of most of the letters in the collection and the author of one letter.