Name/Title
Elisha "Smokey" Stover Letter to his Parents Dated April 11, 1943Scope and Content
In this letter to his parents Elisha "Smokey" Stover discusses the quickly approaching commissioning ceremony for the USS Yorktown (CV-10) and how he was ordered to fly to Washington D.C. to deliver invitations for the event and was able to connect with his commanding officer from his time on Guadalcanal. He also mentions that he getting trained as a back up Landing Signal Officer (LSO) and what that entails. Smokey also discusses some financial details about the money he is sending home and finishes the letter by mentioning that his engagement has been called off.Context
Elisha Terrill "Smokey" Stover was a F4F Wildcat pilot with VF-8 on the USS Hornet (CV-8) and VF-5 aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and later at Guadalcanal in 1942 where he downed 4 Japanese planes earning the Air Medal. Transferred aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-10) as a Fighter Director Officer in CIC in 1944, he appeared in scenes of "The Fighting Lady" and later returned to flight status with VF-5 when he was shot down over Truk Atoll on February 16, 1944.Collection
Smokey Stover CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2017.001Source or Donor
Daniel M. StoverAcquisition Method
GiftUpdate Date
October 13, 2026
