Robert L. and Virginia Butler papers

Collection — Container: 17.0030 - Box 1

Identifier: 17.0030

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection relates to Corporal Robert L. Butler, who served with the U.S. Army Air Corps in the U.S., and his wife Virginia Butler. This collection contains letters sent between Robert and Virginia while he was training at six different locations from 1944 to 1945. Also included in the collection are letters to Robert from his mother Vedale Butler (née Irwin) and letters to Robert from his brother Charles. The letters are personal but some discuss Robert’s daily routine while in training. Virginia’s letters mostly discuss her day-to-day routine at home in Michigan and the lives of their friends and family.

Dates

Created: 1937-1945
Other: Majority of material found within 1944-1945
Other: Date acquired: 11/02/2017

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to all researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical or Historical Information

Robert L. Butler was born on February 11, 1922. He received basic training at Sheppard Field (later renamed Sheppard Air Force Base) in Texas. After basic, Robert received training in radio mechanics and transmitting at Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin, a year before the field was officially shut down. He was then moved to Chanute Field in Illinois. In January 1945, Robert was stationed at Boca Raton Army Airfield for five months before moving to Yuma Army Airfield in Arizona. He obtained the rank of corporal in 1945. Robert passed away in March 2001. His brother, Charles Butler, also served during World War II.

Virginia Butler was born on October 1, 1923. While her husband trained, Virginia stayed home in Michigan and cared for their daughter Linda. For a time, she worked assembling B-29 bombers, but she eventually quit and began working at a department store. She also spent time on the family farm. Virginia passed away on October 25, 2016.

Sources:

FamilySearch, “Mr. Robert Lee Butler.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKKV-1D3D (accessed January 31, 2018).

Kalamazoo Gazette Obituaries, “Virginia May Butler.” Legacy.com. http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/kalamazoo/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=182287723 (accessed January 31, 2018).