Description: World War I Letters and Photos from NW member of the Army Signal Corps Three handwritten letters on paper with mastheads of YMCA or 502 Aero Squadron, with envelopes and three small 2.25x3.25-inch photographs showing Curtis in uniform (one marked with an x over his head, and one captioned “taken at Punta Gorda, Florida”). Letters dated May, June and August of 1918, in total eight pages. Curtis L[eRoy] Chapman (Dec. 10, 1885-Sept. 1955) was born in Cedarville Kansas and died at Deep River, Wahkiakum County, Washington. At the time of writing these letters and following the War, his home was in the Northwest. He married several times, and in 1916 at 30 years of age he married Emma Fanny Hendrix Higley (d. 1974), his second marriage. During WW1 he was a member of SFC 502, Aero Squadron, Aviation Signal Corps (the precursor of the U. S. Air Force). During the period of these letters, he was stationed at Dorr Field at Arcadia, Florida and then at Hampton, Virgina. Chapman also served in WW2 and became an engineer. His letters are written to Mrs. L. E. Miller or Portland OR; Lavinia Miller was Emma’s mother’s maiden name, so likely to her, although it is not clear why she was using her maiden name. One of the letters notes that he has been promoted to sergeant of construction, and put in charge of 50 men. “…Steal [sic] work is somewhat out of my line and it will take from 50 to 75 men though I will have from 5 to 7 corpals [sic] to help out as assistants. The August letter notes that he doesn’t think he will be in Virginia long: “…from the talk that is going around as thars [sic] 1800 negrous [sic] coming in here and are susposed [sic] to take our place. I am going to try to get transferred back to the spruce division so as to get nearer home.” The spruce division was located in Vancouver, Washington. Like many service members, he’s disappointed not to hear from home more often.
Price: 50 USD
Location: Seattle, Washington
End Time: 2024-11-17T13:02:40.000Z
Shipping Cost: 5 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Date of Publication: 1918
Type: Manuscript
Language: English
Author: Curtis LeRoy Chapman
Subject: Personal
Original/Facsimile: Original
