Ralph L. Gjefle World War II Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 1992-07-29

Contents of the Collection

The Ralph L. Gjefle World War II Collection is a small collection that contains primarily textual materials relating to Gjefle's World War II experience, circa 1942-1945. The materials were collected by Gjefle, who served as a pilot in the China-Burma theater during the war. Materials include a 1943 Enlisted Man's pass and a 1942 physical fitness record card for Gjefle, as well as 1944 graduation invites for Class 44-D from Marfa Army Air Force Pilot School at Marfa Army Air Field, Texas. Additional materials include a reading assignment worksheet, the booklet, "A Heart to Heart Talk with Men in the Service," a pocket songbook, "Air Force Airs," and assorted maps. The maps vary in size, from 14x22" to 28x40", and depict the United States, Europe, sections of China and India, "the new Far East," and the world. They appear to be mass-produced. There is also a document in Thai, possibly a song or speech, and a February 1945 news sheet in Chinese. At the end of the collection is a 10x30" black-and-white panoramic group portrait, circa 1942-1945, that depicts a large group of aviation cadets with a two banners; "Aviation Cadets 56" and "Squadron 56."

Dates

Creation: circa 1942-1945

Creator

Gjefle, Ralph L., 1922-1982 (Person)

Language of Materials

One newsletter is in Chinese and one flyer is in Thai. All other materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. For more information contact us.

Conditions Governing Use

The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Biographical Note: Ralph L. Gjefle

Ralph Gjefle was a World War II pilot.

Ralph LaVerne Gjefle was born January 10, 1922 in Coalharbor, North Dakota to Christian and Amalia Gjefle. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in 1942 and served as a pilot in the Burma-India Theater during World War II.

Post-war, Gjefle operated a motel for a time in Missoula, Montana. In 1953, he became a contractor and did carpentry work. He married Mariann Koesler in 1952 and the couple had five sons and two daughters. Ralph L. Gjefle died in June 1982.

Source:

Biography derived from donor information, collection materials, and Ancestry.com

Extent

0.22 Cubic Feet (1 half-width letter size document box and 2 oversize folders)

Additional Description

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

Separated Materials

Assorted military patches, pins, a survival kit, soap, goggles, and uniform pieces have been separated from the archival component and are kept in Objects storage. For more information contact us.