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:26515
Mary writes that she hopes Lucille will get an answer to her letter to the Com. Gen. of the Air Force. She confides that sometimes she thinks that the government knows the fate of the boys, but isn't telling the families. Then she talks about her other son in the military who is unharmed despite an attack on his boat. Finally, Mary tells Lucille she has moved into a smaller house.
grinnell:26508
Anna Lee asks Lucille again what she has heard or read in regards to their sons. She tells Lucille about her contacts that she has that are actively looking for information.
grinnell:26517
Just envelope front and back--no letter.
grinnell:27768
A Purple Heart certificate posthumously awarded to Jimmy Ley on 21 September 1948.
grinnell:27770
Jimmy Ley was posthumously awarded two Purple Hears and an Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters for sustaining wounds resulting in death during a combat mission and for meritorious achievement while participating in five bombardment missions over active enemy occupied territory, respectively. The two medals were mounted and framed by Jimmy's parents.
grinnell:27763
Jimmy's Army Air Corps patch.
grinnell:27766
A certificate of condolence given to the family of Jimmy Ley by Harry Truman, president of the United States. This is similar to the other certificate of condolence, but does not provide a date of death.
grinnell:27764
A certificate of condolence given to the family of Jimmy Ley by Harry Truman, president of the United States. This document specifies the date of Jimmy's passing as 29 February 1944.
grinnell:27761
A framed document describing the commendations that Jimmy received posthumously: the distinguished flying cross, the air medal, and three oak leaf clusters to the air medal. The document also includes a photo of Jimmy in uniform and a photo of his mother receiving them from Lt. Col. A.T. Lobdell.
grinnell:27769
Jimmy Ley was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying cross "for extraordinary achivement while serving as an Engineer-Gunner on a B-26 airplane on twenty-five bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. Description taken from the framed description of Jimmy's commendations. The medal was mounted and framed by Jimmy's parents.
grinnell:26727
Jimmy, possibly in high school. Undated.
grinnell:26738
A zoomed in portion of a larger photograph. Jimmy in uniform. Undated.
grinnell:26723
Sports Letter earned by Jimmy Ley at Lakota High School. Undated.
grinnell:26732
Jimmy with three other airmen. All four men have their left hand on their left hip. Undated.
grinnell:26725
Jimmy (left) with two unidentified airmen.
grinnell:26728
A zoomed in portion of a larger photograph. Jimmy in uniform. Undated.
grinnell:26726
Jimmy on Mother's Day, May 1943
grinnell:26733
Jimmy on Mother's Day, May 1943. Second copy of photograph.
grinnell:26737
Jimmy Ley with other members of the bomber crew. Jimmy is on the left of the bottom row, kneeling. Undated. Based on the letter from Anna Lee Freeman to Lucille Ley (November 24, 1944), Top row, left to right: Sgt. Kenneth Grothouse, Bombardier; Lt. Clifton R. Freeman, Pilot; Bonnett, Pilot; Cpt. Welburn, Photographer. Bottom row, left to right: Jimmy Ley; Sgt. Lath [Toth], Tail Gunner; Sgt. Luke, Radio.
grinnell:26735
Jimmy's photo rests on a fireplace mantel and flowers surround the fireplace. A United States flag hangs on the wall. Second copy of photograph. Undated.