Name/Title
Letter From Elisha "Smokey" Stover to his Parents Dated June 27, 1943Scope and Content
In this letter to his parents, Elisha "Smokey" Stover describes some of the details of his recent trip up to New York City while on liberty including his accommodations, the movies and plays he saw, and some interesting people he met. He closes asking his father to oil his rifle so it won't rust. This letter may have been forwarded to his Aunt Ruby for her interest.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
