[Letter from Cornelia Yerkes, September 10, 1944?] (open access)

[Letter from Cornelia Yerkes, September 10, 1944?]

Letter from WASP Cornelia Yerkes discussing visiting her friend Billy and her recent travels ferrying aircraft. Written on American Airlines Sky Harbor Airport stationary.
Date: 1944-09-10?
Creator: Kafka, Cornelia V. Yerkes
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Cornelia Yerkes, December 24, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Cornelia Yerkes, December 24, 1943]

Letter from WASP Cornelia Yerkes discussing flying over New York City and Philadelphia, a phone call, seeing a performance of Othello, and returning to Dallas. Written on Hotel Peabody (Memphis) stationary.
Date: December 24, 1943
Creator: Kafka, Cornelia V. Yerkes
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Bill to Cornelia Yerkes, Spring 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Bill to Cornelia Yerkes, Spring 1943]

Letter to Cornelia "Connie" Yerkes from her nephew Bill discussing flight training, his family, the weather, food shortages, school, and Cornelia's husband Dick. At the top of the first page is an address for "Mrs. W. St. Clair Childs."
Date: Spring 1943
Creator: Bill
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History

Oral History Interview with William Smeltzer, August 3, 1996

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with William Smeltzer, a Army WWII veteran and Navy contractor from Wrightsville, Pennsylvania. Smeltzer discusses quitting high school and moving to California in 1940, experiences working at Mare and Pearl Harbor Navy Yards as a civilian contractor before and after the start of the war, the raising of the sunken USS Oklahoma (BB-37), being drafted into the Army and infantry training, assignment to the 45th Infantry Division and participating in the drive into Germany, the end of the war and demobilization, and his career afterwards. In appendix are a photo of the insignia for the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard and two photos of the capsized Oklahoma.
Date: August 3, 1996
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Smeltzer, William
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Arthur Dodge Jr., January 8, 1971 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Arthur Dodge Jr., January 8, 1971

Interview with Arthur B. Dodge, Jr., a US Army WWII veteran from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Dodge recounts his service in M Company, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, which landed in Morocco and moved through Algeria in late-1943, before landing in Italy, where his unit took up position on the Cassino-Rapido-Garigliano front in March, 1944. Dodge describes prolonged skirmishing with German forces near Tremesuoli, Lazio, the breakout from Cassino, advancing into northern Italy, and finishing the war in the Po Valley.
Date: January 8, 1971
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Dodge Jr., Arthur B.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
[Flyer: Special Tribute to W.A.S.P.'s of World War II] (open access)

[Flyer: Special Tribute to W.A.S.P.'s of World War II]

Flyer to Women Airforce Service Pilot Members inviting them to the Spirit of Flight Air Show where they will be given a special tribute.
Date: 1998
Creator: Women Airforce Service Pilots (U.S.)
Object Type: Pamphlet
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Marvin Krieger Obituary] (open access)

[Marvin Krieger Obituary]

Photocopy of the text from Marvin A. Krieger's obituary along with a "Big League Card" from Business and Commercial Aviation with his name and photo seen in the bottom right.
Date: unknown
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Aircraft Delivery Memorandum #3] (open access)

[Aircraft Delivery Memorandum #3]

Orders for WASP Gayle D. Ewing to ferry a P-510 aircraft from Grand Prairie, Texas to an Air Force base in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Date: July 25, 1944
Creator: 555th Army Air Forces Base Unit - 5th Ferrying Group
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Clipping: Girl Flyers Who Tow Targets May Be Real "Soldiers" Soon] (open access)

[Clipping: Girl Flyers Who Tow Targets May Be Real "Soldiers" Soon]

Newspaper clipping of articles about the WASP, how it feels to fly a plane, a dance that will be held to raise funds for infantile paralysis, the marriage of teacher Batrice Howell, war bonds, and more.
Date: January 21, 1944
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Clipping
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of Cartoon Men]

Postcard with a cartoon of a policeman and other man standing next to a red armchair under a street lamp on a street corner. Text on the cartoon says "They sure make you feel at home here!" A handwritten note addressed to Mrs. Clara Aten & Family says "Dear Friends: Just a line to let you know I am well, hope you are all the same, I received your card a few days ago, I'm on my way west, somewhere in Texas now. My new address is on this card. Had a nice trip so far, don't know how the rest of it will be, we have several days riding yet. Write when you can. Nevin."
Date: August 1943
Creator: Hermsinger, Nevin E.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of Abilene State Park]

Postcard of a stone stairway leading up a grassy hill to a long building. Typed text on the postcard says "Approach to Recreation Center, Abilene State Park, Abilene, Texas." A handwritten note addressed to Miss Helen H. Aten from Woodrow W. Aten at Camp Barkeley says "Dear Helen and all: This is the state park of Abilene- about 20 miles away from the city. Received that great post card yesterday. Glad to hear the candy arrived safely and was enjoyed. As ever "Woodrow."
Date: May 16, 1944
Creator: Aten, Woodrow W.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of "The Roundup"]

Postcard of a painting entitled "The Roundup," of cowboys sitting together in a camp, with more cowboys rounding up cattle in the background, framed with mountains. A handwritten note addresed to Miss Helen H. Aten says "Hello All- Arrived yesterday at 3:00pm. Travelled 1850 miles. Chevy is still good. Was a bit tired driving but will come out of it in a day or two. Rained today and is plenty muddy at camp. Abilene is a nice town. Will write more in a day or two. Looks as tho we will be busy."
Date: December 5, 1943
Creator: Aten, Woodrow W.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of Crab Orchard Lake, Marion, Illinois]

Postcard of a group of people standing on a dock and swimming nearby in Crab Orchard Lake at Marion, Illinois. A handwritten note addressed to Miss Helen H. Aten from Woodrow W. Aten says, "Hello all. Will probably arrive Thursday- trip has been fine so far. Am stopping off to see Lt. Crews. He is still alive. Woodrow."
Date: June 19, 1944
Creator: Aten, Woodrow W.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of Hendrick Memorial Hospital]

Postcard of Hendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene, Texas. A handwritten note addressed to Miss Helen H. Aten from Woodrow W. Aten says "Dear Helen & all: Quite a nice day and now is a little warm. Received a letter from Fred today. Had a letter from Al Saturday and also one from the staff. We are plenty busy right now. As ever, Woodrow."
Date: August 21, 1944
Creator: Aten, Woodrow W.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of Bluebonnet Field]

Postcard of a field of bluebonnets, with text that says "Blue Bonnets, The State Flower of Texas." A handwritten note addressed to Miss Helen H. Aten from Woodrow W. Aten at Camp Barkeley says "Dear Helen and all- Here are the Bluebonnets but have not seen any yet that we are certain that they are the right ones. This is Sunday and a real fine day- Warm and a nice breeze. As ever, Woodrow."
Date: May 14, 1944
Creator: Aten, Woodrow W.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of Wooten Hotel]

Postcard of Wooten Hotel in Abilene, Texas, seen at night. A handwritten note addressed to Miss Helen H. Aten from Woodrow W. Aten says "Hello all- This is Friday nite and it was quite a warm day too. Tomorrow the Battalion has a picnic at Circa park and we are leaving at 1100. Should be here to see some of these places. Should be seeing some others soon. We are quite busy now. Always, Woodrow."
Date: August 11, 1944
Creator: Aten, Woodrow W.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of Sebastian County Courthouse and City Hall]

Postcard of the Sebastian County Courthouse and City Hall in Fort Smith, Arkansas. A handwritten note addressed to Miss Helen H. Aten from Woodrow W. Aten at Camp Barkeley says "Hello All- Trip is going swell- 520 miles first day. Stayed all nite on west side of Springfield, Ohio. Should make about same distance today. Weather is swell & quite warm- no heater. Snacks are good. Above is new address."
Date: December 2, 1943
Creator: Aten, Woodrow W.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of Camp Barkeley Parade Grounds]

Postcard of soldiers marching on the parade grounds at Camp Barkeley in Abilene, Texas. A handwritten note addressed to Helen H. Aten from Woodrow W. Aten says "Hello all- Received your letter yesterday & am glad to hear you are still all ok. It was approx 1850 miles down here. Arrived in good time Saturday. Rained most of this week and [?] of cold. Bought 8FL of antifreeze tonite (alcohol base) it is quite scarce here. Woodrow."
Date: December 10, 1943
Creator: Aten, Woodrow W.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of Camp Barkeley, Texas]

Postcard with text that says "Greetings from Camp Barkeley Texas." A handwritten note addressed to Miss Helen H. Aten from Woodrow W. Aten at Camp Barkeley says "Dear Helen and all - The radio is playing Mary Doats. Today was chilly but by tonite the sun came out and looks as if we might have a nice day tomorrow. Listened to Jack Benny Sunday- Kay Kaycer is now on. Had a pint of ice cream tonite. Bro Woodrow."
Date: March 1, 1944
Creator: Aten, Woodrow W.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of Terra-Cotta Tourist Court and Hotel, Arkadelphia, Arkansas]

Postcard of a row of white buildings next to a road, with text that says "Terra-Cota Tourist Court and Hotel, At Junction of U.S. 67 and State No. 7, 4 Miles North of Arkadelphia, Ark." A handwritten note addressed to Helen H. Aten from Woodrow W. Aten at Camp Barkeley says "Dear Helen & all- Arrived safely at 2/38 3 July, had a nice trip. The weather we relatively cool and had on partial flap - a small nail. Drove 133 miles the first day- Woodrow."
Date: July 4, 1944
Creator: Aten, Woodrow W.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of Abilene, Texas Post Office and Court House]

Postcard of a large yellow building, with text that says "United States Post Office, Abilene, Texas." A handwritten note addressed to Helen H. Aten from Woodrow W. Aten says "Dear Helen and All, Seems as tho you are getting quite a number of cards in the mail so I will send a few of Abilene. Received your card today. Have read some of Ernie Pyles columns in the Fort Worth paper. Tonite it is a bit cooler. than usual. Had another piece of watermelon. Bro Woodrow."
Date: August 4, 1944
Creator: Aten, Woodrow W.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Postcard of Fort Phantom Hill]

Postcard of Fort Phantom Hill in Abilene, Texas. A handwritten note addressed to Miss Helen H. Aten from Woodrow W. Aten says "Dear Helen and all- Was on a picnic today and climbed Castle Peak and have a little sun burn as a [?] of the very nice day. We have had several hard showers including a little hail. Things have turned green again. Doesn't take long for them to turn brown. As ever, Woodrow."
Date: May 21, 1944
Creator: Aten, Woodrow W.
Object Type: Postcard
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Boyd K. Miller, January 21, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Boyd K. Miller, January 21, 2003

Interview with Boyd K. Miller, a draftsman and pilot during World War II. He discusses being drafted out of college and working as an artist and draftsman. Since he studied art in college, he worked on diagrams and charts. He then transferred to the Air Corps to become a pilot and trained in Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Alabama, New York, Georgia, Florida and Texas.
Date: January 21, 2003
Creator: Misenhimer, Richard & Miller, Boyd K.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History