Name/Title
Letter From Jim Bryan Jr. to the Parents of Elisha "Smokey" Stover Dated March 21, 1946Scope and Content
This is a copy of the letter that Jim Bryan sent to the parents of Elisha "Smokey" Stover following the end of World War II. The letter discusses Smokey Stover's life, the impact that he made in the lives of his shipmates, and the legacy that he leaves behind.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 12, 2026
