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:18657
Ley, Jimmy
Bob enlisted in the Marines. Jimmy is already talking about Christmas.
grinnell:18658
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy writes about his visit to Baltimore over the weekend.
grinnell:18659
Ley, Jimmy
This letter is missing.
grinnell:18660
Ley, Jimmy
A Christmas card
grinnell:18661
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy enjoyed another visit to Baltimore and to a girl’s house for dinner.
grinnell:18662
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy describes his Christmas experience including gifts and cards he received. He encloses a paragraph from a friend named Sidney.
grinnell:18663
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy explains pre-flight procedures.
grinnell:18729
Ley, Jimmy
V-Mail “Greetings from Britain”
grinnell:18664
Ley, Jimmy
Back on the night shift for school, lots of the boys are looking forward to visiting New York together. Jimmy plans to see Amy.
grinnell:18665
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy is very pleased with his trip to New York City, but sad that he did not get to see Amy. He plans to visit again if possible.
grinnell:18666
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy finished school, went on a tour of the factory, and is preparing to relocate to Panama City, Florida, where there is a pressure chamber to simulate high altitude. He will visit New York City again to see Amy.
grinnell:18667
Ley, Jimmy
Life at the new camp seems to be a bit rough.
grinnell:18668
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy prepares to head to Florida. He enjoyed a final visit to New York to see Amy.
grinnell:18669
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy has arrived at Buckingham field, near Fort Myers, Florida. He describes the journey to Florida and a bit about the new camp. He reports that pressure chamber is not completed so they can’t do the altitude tests.
grinnell:18670
Ley, Jimmy
The first two days of gunner school have been tough. Jimmy imagines being back in civilian clothes and hopes the war will be over soon.
grinnell:18671
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy’s mother might visit Florida and he thinks he can get time off one weekend to see her. Jimmy explains a bit about shooting practice. Cameras are not allowed in the new camp.
grinnell:18672
Ley, Jimmy
In a letter to his grandmother, Jimmy explains that he will wait to visit her until his mother comes to Florida, as well. He encloses a letter written by his sister-in-law Ruth from the perspective of her baby son Dave. Jimmy sends it on to his grandmother, Opal Wheeler.
grinnell:18673
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy tells his father about his visit with his mother and grandmother. He asks after the garage and wishes for a furlough, although getting one seems unlikely.
grinnell:18674
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy describes school, exams, and the weather.
grinnell:18675
Ley, Jimmy
Jimmy describes the flying clothing and equipment that he will be issued next week.