Ray Family Papers and Photographs
1938-1999
WVM Mss 1312
0.4 linear ft. (1 archives box and 2 oversized folders) of papers, 0.4 linear ft. (1 archives box and 1 oversized folders) of photographs.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
(Map)
Papers and photographs pertaining to Rose Ray and her husband Fred Ray, Milwaukee, Wisconsin residents who both served in the Army during World War II. The collection has been organized into materials pertaining to each person. The majority of manuscripts and photographs document Rose's service. Rose (maiden name Jrolf) enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1943 and received training at Daytona Beach, Florida. After training, Rose was first transferred to Nebraska and then quickly promoted to Mess Sergeant at Sedalia Army Air Field, Missouri (present day Whiteman Air Force Base). While at Sedalia, Rose successfully organized a feuding kitchen staff into a working unit. Manuscripts include service records, certificates, a diary, postcards, ephemeral military items, and W.A.C. memorabilia. Also included are interesting items documenting her time at Sedalia, which include menus from kitchen staff parties, a humorous list of rules for the mess hall, recipes for Christmas cookies, and a poem written by a soldier about the kitchen staff. Photographs include those from training at Daytona Beach, images of the Sedalia kitchen staff and parties, and posing with friends and relatives. There are also images of Rose posing in uniform and also photographs from her military wedding to Fred Ray. Also included are images sent to Rose by fellow soldiers who were training at other bases. Fred Ray, originally from Covington, Virginia, enlisted in the Army in 1939. He was assigned to the Quartermaster Corps and stationed at Albrook Army Airfield in the Panama Canal Zone. Fred was transferred to Sedalia in 1944, where he met Rose. Manuscripts include service records, certificates, identification cards, a newspaper clipping from Sedalia about the bowling team, and menus from holiday meals while in Panama. Photographs include a large collection of recreational activities from his time in Panama. Images show soldiers relaxing, swimming, and also kayaking and canoeing. The photograph collection also includes images of various unidentified soldiers and sailors who were apparently friends with Fred. One interesting image shows two soldiers sitting in the cockpit of a downed German plane.
English
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