Jimmy Ley Collection

James “Jimmy” J. Ley attended Grinnell College for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942. Ley’s papers include an extensive series of correspondence written by Ley during his time at Grinnell and in the army air force, as well as personal items, photographs, and military documents.

grinnell:11614
Ley, Jimmy
Writing from the Service Club, Jimmy relays news that Grinnell is going to be used as an Officer’s Training School.
grinnell:11622
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy explains why Sheppard Field is considered one of the toughest camps with low morale.
grinnell:11631
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy writes to Bill describing in detail everything he knows about the Air Corps, since Billy is interested in joining.
grinnell:11626
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy talks about letters he has received from family and friends.
grinnell:12528
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy responds to news from home and mentions the Lakota scrap drive. He outlines the official changes regarding the mechanical school.
grinnell:12534
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy wishes that his short vacation from mechanical school would line up with Betty’s wedding so he could attend.
grinnell:12572
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy is studying hydraulics and writes that the barracks is getting very friendly. He is sorry to miss the wedding.
grinnell:12644
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy was mistaken and Betty’s wedding is not until October. He wants to see the family and wishes they would visit.
grinnell:12804
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy attended a U. S. O. dance and met some nice girls. He plans to visit his Aunt Florence’s friend Miss Smith. He wonders about paying to take flying lessons.
grinnell:12808
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy asks about gas rationing at home and writes about engine repair.
grinnell:12812
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy describes a gas mask drill.
grinnell:12816
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy writes about the weather and the high popularity of gambling in the army camp.
grinnell:12991
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy tells about eating breakfast on the night shift, asks Betty about wedding planning, and prepares for a final test in Engine Repair.
grinnell:12995
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy has begun studying electricity. He wants to apply to Officer’s Candidate School and needs a letter from Doc Williams verifying character.
grinnell:12999
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy writes that he had a sore throat and describes a drill using gas masks.
grinnell:13063
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy visited Dallas and Fort Worth and received a postcard from Shirley at Minneapolis.
grinnell:13072
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy received a letter from Ruth with pictures of Davy. He responds to news about Betty’s wedding tea and sends a bill for Betty and Ed to buy a wedding gift.
grinnell:13075
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy visited Dallas again and practiced his first drill with a rifle. He wishes his father happy birthday and writes about a letter from Aunt Pearl.
grinnell:13084
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy writes about a five mile cross-country run and more rifle drills.
grinnell:13103
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy ends the carburetion phase. He hopes to graduate around Thanksgiving time. He mentions his father’s scrap business back at home and tells about a parade they put on in the camp.