Letter from Charles W. Drew to his mother, April 24, 1918. Describes flight training maneuvers, discusses having picked up smoking, the costliness and rarity of candy, and asks after friends and family. Two folded sheets, eight handwritten pages,…
Letter from Charles W. Drew to his mother, May 1, 1918. Mentions he has relocated to southern France, describes getting a new style of uniform that allows greater mobility when flying, and other news. Three handwritten pages, with envelope.
Letter from Charles W. Drew to his mother, May 12, 1918. Describes flying over Atlantic to escort convoy, discusses differences in training levels and abilities of American and French pilots, notes ace status of [Ren] Fonck. One folded sheet, four…
Letter from Charles W. Drew to his mother, May 18, 1918. Mentions he is on vacation leave and describes leisure activities, describes his group's special recommendation for service made by a commander due to their record-breaking high marks in Aerial…
Letter from Charles W. Drew to his mother, May 24, 1918. Attempts to reassure her about his health, discusses his group's recommendation for duty but lack of planes for use, and mentions inability to take photos and his small profit on the photo for…
Letter from Charles W. Drew to his mother, May 26, 1918. Explains letter censoring and package limits, discusses the changing attitude of Americans toward servicemen as the war progresses and contrasts with his interactions with French civilians. Six…
Letter from Charles W. Drew to his mother, June 2, 1918. Describes experiencing an air raid in Paris, mentions his work at an American Aviation Acceptance Park, and mentions a few accidental deaths of fellow pilots. Two handwritten pages, with…
Letter from Charles W. Drew to his mother, June 12, 1918. Details witnessing a fatal crash, his work as a ferry pilot flying planes to schools and the front for use there, an experience with a French woman trying to steal money from him. He also…
Letter from Charles W. Drew to his mother, June 26, 1918. Describes witnessing troop movement at night, explains he has filed for flying pay, and mentions the death of a nurse who was kind to him in the hospital. Five handwritten pages.