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Ferdy W. Freytag Letters

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 0348

Scope and Content

This collection consists mainly of letters sent from Ferdy W. Freytag, a military airplane mechanic stationed in the Panama Canal Zone between 1924 and 1926, to his love, Beryl Burton, a college student and teacher residing in Redfield, New York. While the content of the letters mostly regards love and other personal matters, interesting details regarding the lives of military men stationed in the Canal Zone during the 1920s is also included. Stemming from Freytag's position as an airplane mechanic, many of the experiences mentioned in his letters involve machinery and transportation, such as planes and submarines. Freytag also reveals some details about the living conditions of American military men stationed in the Canal Zone and moving within the military ranks, as well as the weather and seasonal changes in Panama.

Additionally, this collection includes a couple letters from other people, a lottery ticket (likely from Panama), and two U.S. temporary passes into Panama. The majority of the letters are handwritten.

Dates

  • Creation: 1924-1926

Creator

Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Ferdy (Ferdinand) W. Freytag (1902-1957) enlisted for the Army Air Service sometime between 1924 and 1925, and was stationed in France Field, Panama Canal Zone, 25th Bombardment Squadron. While he worked as an airplane mechanic, his lover, Beryl Burton (1903-1985), was a college student and teacher residing in Redfield, New York. The couple later married.

Sources consulted for biographical information include the National Archives 1940 Census Data and Find a Grave.

Extent

0.42 Linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection consists mainly of letters sent from Ferdy W. Freytag, a military airplane mechanic stationed in the Panama Canal Zone between 1924 and 1926, to his love, Beryl Burton, a college student and teacher residing in Redfield, New York. While the content of the letters mostly regards love and other personal matters, interesting details regarding the lives of military men stationed in the Canal Zone during the 1920s is also included.

Arrangement

The letters from Freytag to Burton are arranged chronologically, followed by the small group of other items and letters, which are also arranged chronologically within that group.

Physical Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Acquisition Information

This document was purchased in 2012.

Subject

Title
A Guide to the Ferdy W. Freytag Letters
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Kalthoum Elfasi
Date
December 2015
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755