Jimmy Ley Collection

Ruth talks about her husband's job and the health of her son, Dave. She then starts to write about family friends and the well being of their children. Currently, Sue is in the hospital with pneumonia. Ruth mentions how proud everyone is that Jimmy is recieveing both the Air Medal and the Oak Leaf Cluster, but is sad that he couldn't return home for his furlough.

Ley, Jimmy

Jimmy responds to news from home.

Ruth complains about a toothache from a bad cavity and chats about a shopping trip with friends. She then writes about her brother Vic who was able to connect with an old college buddy who is also in service in the Pacific. After explaining how ecstatic Vic was, she tells Jimmy that David has sent him a valentine.

Ley, Jimmy

In Jimmy’s final letter he says that he hopes to pursue pilot’s training in the US.

Anna Lee implies in her letter that she has recived word that her son is dead. She mentions that she is still praying for the other members of the crew that are only reported as missing, including Jimmy. Anna Lee tells Lucille about an old friend of her son that paid her a visit and the good memories he brought back. She asks Lucille to write back any news she hears.

Mrs. Luke thanks Lucille for her letter and for the additional information Lucille was able to provide about the circumstances of her stepson George's death. She requests a copy of one of Lucille's photographs. She says she is glad to know some of the crew of the plane is still missing and not officially pronounced dead, and she hopes for good news soon. Mrs. Luke describes her internal struggle with her hatred for the Germans. She tells Lucille a little about George, about her own children, and about George's older brother who was also killed in action.

Mary, another mother with a son reported as missing, writes to Lucille to tell her she has not yet recieved her son Kenneth's personal items. She writes that her other son in England communicated with some of the boys from Kenneth's base who have high hopes the crew will return. Finally Mary relates to Lucille how her family has changed since the start of the war.

Hazel informs Lucille that she has read and forwarded the Christmas card to her son John who is a fighter pilot stationed in the South Pacific. She emphasizes how sad she and John were to hear that Jimmy is missing. She informs Lucille that John is not returning home until at least March. She expresses solidarity as another mother of a soldier and encourages Lucille to have courage and to hold out hope for Jimmy's return.

Anna Lee writes to Lucille about visiting her parents. She says she continues to pray for the missing crew members and that she hopes they have escaped. She tells Lucille to keep busy her and her husband have bought some chicks.