Finding Aid for the J. Wallace Williams First World War correspondence 2015.095.w.r
Lauren Menges
Center for American War Letters Archives
12/8/2016
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: J. Wallace Williams First World War correspondence
source:
Reavis, Elmira
Creator:
Williams, Wallace
Identifier/Call Number: 2015.095.w.r
Identifier/Call Number: 1327
Physical Description:
0.1 Linear Feet
(3 folders)
Date (inclusive): 1917 November 24 - 1919 March 24
Abstract: This collection contains the correspondence from Lt. J. Wallace Williams, AEF, to his parents during the First World War.
The collection also contains three newspaper clippings and three photographs.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWI 5
Container: 14-16
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Elmira Reavis. Legacy collection from Andrew Carroll. This collection does not have a donation form.
Colonel John Wallace Williams, American Expeditionary Forces (2/27/1897 - ) was born in Franklin County, Kansas and flew with
the AEF during the First World War, arriving in France July 1918 and returning home March 1919. As a scout, he flew a 300
mile mission in two hours forty minutes over France and Germany, but spent most of his time joy riding a small plane called
a Newport and enjoying the chateaus at which he stayed with a French officer's family. After the war, he married Leona B.
Curry on September 8, 1928 and had two children, Dimma and John, Jr. He later became a flight instructor for the military
as a Colonel and even swore in his own son to begin flight training.
[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Wallace Williams First World War correspondence (2015.095.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 URL's, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
This collection contains the correspondence from Lt. J. Wallace Williams, AEF, to his parents in Ottawa, Kansas, during the
First World War. The collection also contains three newspaper clippings and three photographs.
Lt. Williams was a pilot during his service, but being an officer it seems he saw little action. He served in France but describes
spending most of his time in chateaus with the local people. In a few of his letters he mentions serving with African American
soldiers, whom he refers to as "coloreds" or "negros," although he doesn't have anything negative to say.
Letter dated July 28, 1918: "The war may be over in a short while. Pershing says, 'Hell, Heaven, or Broadway by Thanksgiving."
Letters dated in November 1918 indicate the war is coming to an end and their excitement over that news. Williams eventually
returned home in March 1919.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War (1914-1918)
World War (1914-1918) -- France
United States -- Army -- American Expeditionary Force.
World War (1914-1918) -- Aerial operations
Reavis, Elmira