Group of 23 autograph letters addressed to Captain William M. Perkins, Chaplin of the Tuskegee Army Airfield. 1945-1951. WITH one telegram, Greyhound lines baggage claim, War Department Office of the Chief of Chaplains Circular Letter, 1940s Soldier’s map of Berlin, a 1946 French birth announcement, a New Year’s postcard, and a “Salute” newsletter from the National Catholic Community Service USO club 1945, a graduation announcement for Deshazor’s Beauty School, Inc. for “Ruby Wells,” and one letter addressed to Ruby Perkins from the Aviation Engineers 1991, and two empty addressed envelope to Perkins.  

This excellent grouping of letters are written to Reverend William Perkins, who served as a chaplain for the 829th Engineers Aviation Battalion. The Tuskegee airmen were the first Black military aviators to join the U.S. armed forces during WWII. While they undoubtedly faced the hardships of segregation, their time in service was invaluable to the United States and the outcome of the war. Most notably, the 829th Engineers Aviation Battalion served in England and France during the war. This is documented by the letters received by William Perkins from two French families, who seemed to keep up correspondence through 1946-47, informing Perkins of the births of babies and other familial happenings. Also included in the grouping are letters of request for Reverend Perkins to preach on different occasions, and great home front letters from a variety of women which extend beyond the end of the war. Endearingly, there is a graduation invitation from a woman by the name of “Ruby Wells,” in 1946, who is later addressed as “Ruby Perkins,” in a later 1991 letter. 

This charming collection of letters demonstrates the relationships formed by a soldier during his time of service, as well as his acclimation back into the post-war world. While documentation is scarce to find on particular members of the instrumental 829th Engineers Aviation Battalion, this collection provides more insight into the individual lives of the soldiers who fought bravely for their country. 

[World War II, WWII, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Adolf Hitler, Allied, Axis, George S. Patton, Air Force][Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]