Raymond was a 1934 graduate of Milford High School, Milford, Penna.

While in the U.S. Naval Reserve during WWII, he died as a passenger on a routine operation training flight along the coast. A year before his death, he wrote this letter on June 13, 1942, to Helen and Harold Steele, his aunt and uncle, from the U.S. Naval Reserve Aviation Base in Philadelphia:

Dear Aunt Helen and Uncle Harold--

Very glad to hear from you--was beginning to think the people up there also hibernated in the summer time.

Wish I could be up there helping you all with the farming. A couple months on the farm would be just the thing I need. One thing about aviation is that it is pretty hard on the nerves.

Not much excitement around here--just a helluva lot of work. We have had a number of crashes lately--two complete washouts. One of the boys is still in the hospital and will be there for the next 6 months. Can't imagine how he got out of it alive--spun in from 100 feet with the power full on. Guess that it wasn't just his time.

Have been doing quite a lot of passenger flying. To Washington, [?] Bennett, N.Y., Norfolk, etc. It makes for a nice change.

Tim Case stopped in at the Base the other day--quite a surprize [sic]. We have 12 cub aircraft and was in to see about them.

I haven't been commissioned as yet. It is definite that I will be, but this waiting is enough to drive one nuts. Still don't know where I will be sent. Will, of course, let you know.

Bill Mattes just completed the Primary Course with the Army with a very high grade. He is now at Basic School where they fly larger ships. He will probably be commissioned in October. From there, who knows?

Well, guess that's about all. Tell Aunt Mouse that she owes me a letter. My very best to the kids and tell Doug to join the Navy Air Corps when he finishes high school. You can do it now if the mental and physical exams are passed--it is the best air corps in the world.

Love,
Mac

Raymond was a 1934 graduate of Milford High School, Milford, Penna.

While in the U.S. Naval Reserve during WWII, he died as a passenger on a routine operation training flight along the coast. A year before his death, he wrote this letter on June 13, 1942, to Helen and Harold Steele, his aunt and uncle, from the U.S. Naval Reserve Aviation Base in Philadelphia:

Dear Aunt Helen and Uncle Harold--

Very glad to hear from you--was beginning to think the people up there also hibernated in the summer time.

Wish I could be up there helping you all with the farming. A couple months on the farm would be just the thing I need. One thing about aviation is that it is pretty hard on the nerves.

Not much excitement around here--just a helluva lot of work. We have had a number of crashes lately--two complete washouts. One of the boys is still in the hospital and will be there for the next 6 months. Can't imagine how he got out of it alive--spun in from 100 feet with the power full on. Guess that it wasn't just his time.

Have been doing quite a lot of passenger flying. To Washington, [?] Bennett, N.Y., Norfolk, etc. It makes for a nice change.

Tim Case stopped in at the Base the other day--quite a surprize [sic]. We have 12 cub aircraft and was in to see about them.

I haven't been commissioned as yet. It is definite that I will be, but this waiting is enough to drive one nuts. Still don't know where I will be sent. Will, of course, let you know.

Bill Mattes just completed the Primary Course with the Army with a very high grade. He is now at Basic School where they fly larger ships. He will probably be commissioned in October. From there, who knows?

Well, guess that's about all. Tell Aunt Mouse that she owes me a letter. My very best to the kids and tell Doug to join the Navy Air Corps when he finishes high school. You can do it now if the mental and physical exams are passed--it is the best air corps in the world.

Love,
Mac