Edward J. Lenhardt Second World War correspondence

This collection contains two letters from SSgt. Edward J. Lenhardt, USAAC to John Ladwein during the Second World War. Also included with one of the letters is a black and white photograph of SSgt. Lenhardt, and printouts from Ancestry.com have also been added to the collection.

The first letter dated December 30, 1942 mentions being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and how he enjoys his type of flying, in a troop carrier squadron. He asks about the people back home and tries to get in contact with some of them. In the second letter, he mentions being newly stationed in New Guinea in February 1943 and how hot the weather is compared to the snow of Chicago where Mr. Ladwein is located. He also mentions being a "Sergeant pilot" and that he assures that those still exist because he is one. This is in reference to a Stars and Stripes article saying they were all gone and had been replaced by a new rank, which he has now met some, which are flight officer commissions given to "lower classmen."