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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016 to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09611.091 Author/Creator: Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016 Place Written: Great Lakes, Illinois Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 September 1943 Pagination: 2p. : envelope Height: 24.8 cm, Width: 14.8 cm Order a Copy

One letter from Leonard Eugene Graeff to Susan Prowell Graeff and Raymond James Graeff dated September 23, 1943. Leonard relays that he was interviewed for service school after boot camp and received his test results. Leonard is optimistic because his scores were above average, "the lowest one being one point over...among the highest in the company so you know what a bunch of morons they must be." He, "asked for Aircraft Metal smith (can learn more about welding that didn't know) or Aircraft Machinists Mate (Engine work on aircraft)." Leonard expects to make it into either school with his marks. He mentions, "After coming out of those schools you are rated with a rank equal to sergeant in the Army - you know me that's what I'm after." In the margins he asks "SAVE MY LETTERS - WILL YOU?"

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016
Graeff, Raymond James, 1889-1963
Graeff, Susan Prowell, 1890-1967

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