Jacques M. Swaab letters, 1918.

Format:

Manuscript

Author/Creator:

Swaab, Jacques M. (Jacques Michael) 1894-1963.

Contributor:

Isaacs, Sidney, active 1899-1960, recipient.

Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection (University of Pennsylvania)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Jewish soldiers--United States--Correspondence.

Jewish soldiers.

Soldiers--United States--Correspondence.

Soldiers.

United States. Army. Air Service. Aero Squadron, 22nd.

United States.

World War, 1914-1918--Aerial operations, American.

World War, 1914-1918.

Genre:

Correspondence.

Manuscripts, American -- 20th century.

Penn Provenance:

Sold by Stuart Lutz Historic Documents (Short Hills, New Jersey), 2018.

Physical Description:

7 items (15 leaves)

Contained In:

Miscellaneous Manuscripts. Box 23 Folder 36

Place of Publication:

1918.

Biography/History:

Swaab was a Jewish American born in Philadelphia to Mayer Mordecai and Etta S. Swaab. He had a brother, Frank and sister, Marie. He attendend the University of Pennsylvania and in 1916 graduated with a B.S. in Economics. In 1917 he enlisted in the United States Army Air Service. Swaab became a World War I flying ace in the 22 Aero Squadron and piloted a SPAD XIII. He was credited with ten combat victories during air campaigns in Toul, Saint-Mihiel, and Argonne. Swaab was promoted to the rank of Captain and awarded the silver star and the distinguished service cross. Following his discharge from the military Swaab was an import agent in Philadelphia. He moved to New York and was in the advertising business. In New York Swaab married Beatrice A. Rosenthal in 1923, but the couple were soon divorced. In 1928 Swaab moved to California. He later became a technical consultant in the film industry. In 1942 Swaab married Ina Landon.

Summary:

A small collection of letters written by Swaab to Lieutenant Sidney Isaacs from May to November 1918 during World War I. There are seven letters to Isaacs, who was in France. Swaab wrote from the United States, Rome and France. Swaab wrote to Isaacs regarding flight training in Ohio, his plane assignment, his patrol flights, being appointed to flight commander, and his ten battle victories during the war while stationed in France. In a letter dated September 11, 1918, Swaab explained why he missed going to synagogue on Yom Kippur. Swaab discussed in this letter how he was wounded while shooting down a German plane he was hit and landed unconscious on a mountain side. Swaab recovered in the hospital and returned to battle. Swaab's last letter to Isaacs dated November 20th he wrote about the last orders of the Air Service and his desire to return home. Swaab also wrote of a few friends and receiving packages. An envelope is with each letter. A few letters are torn.

OCLC:

1036946014