WWII Letter, Brother Of A TUSKEGEE AIRMAN AFRICAN AMERICAN, Philadelphia
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:539491 | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
Original WWII letter with envelope written by an African American solider, PFC. William (Billy) Ramsey from Philadelphia.
This letter is dated January 19th 1944 and is written to his "Mother + Dad". The letter is 6 pages and has great content, some of which I don't understand because of the Jargon.
PFC. William (Billy) Ramsey is rather special as a solider because he becomes an Officer during the war which wa...s quite an accomplishment to understate. In addition his younger Brother, Pierce Theodore “Ted” Ramsey would also become an officer and a B-25 Pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen.
PFC. Billy Ramsey also had another Brother in the Army, Prt. Jack Ramsey who received his trained at Kessler Field, Mississippi. Both his Brothers Ted and Jack are mentioned in the letter.
PFC. Billy Ramsey was from a classic American Military Family. His Father, Sgt. William Beal Ramsey, Jr. was in WW1 and served with the all African American 368th Infantry Regiment,
PFC Ramsey is writting the letter from the Presidio in San Francisco, here is part of what he writes:
"You know all the big Colored outfits that were here are gone. With the exception of the patients in the host. We three + right now - me - are the only Cuffs on the whole post."
(I think the word "Cuffs" refers to him being a MP)
He also writes about his great pride of being from Philadelphia.
Family Background:
The Ramey Family were Philadelphian and light skinned African Americans. This impacted the way they were treated in the Military and when they were on furloughs.
It was tricky navigating racial discrimination in the military and in the letters I have read there is almost a code language the Brothers use in describing their treatment and the situations they were involved in. Lt. Billy Ramsey, I believe entered WWII service first out of the three Brothers and he would give advice to his other Brothers on how to get along and get ahead in the military. The Brothers grew up in the North but received most of their military training in the South. In doing so they were not a custom to the way African American were treated in the South to understate.
Lt. Bill Ramsey (I think was the oldest) would write his Brothers about the importance of laying low and obeying orders in getting along. Despite the many hurdles all these men encountered it is clear how patriotic the WW1 Father and his WWII Sons were and the importance of winning the War.
You can find videos on Youtube about his Brother Lt. Ted Ramsey if you do an online search: "Pierce Ramsey, TUSKEGEE"
See photos for content and condition. This letters and envelopes are guaranteed original. The letter also comes with a recent print of WWII photos of both Lt. Billy Ramsey's Brothers, Prt. Jack Ramsey and Lt. Ted Ramsey.
Bidding conditions and mailing below:I ship Priority Mail US Post Service, three day delivery. The reason why is virtually all of the items I sell are one of a kind and even though an item may not have a high selling price it is sometime priceless to the buyer. Also Priority Mail US Post Service is insured and is tracked to guarantee delivery. US buyers only. (I do make some exceptions for foreign buyers but you need to email me to get approval for bidding.You must have bought over 25 items on eBay, Paypal preferred and you must have a good rating in order to buy on this item/items.I have a 100% rating and have sold many rare and important document, letters and items to important collectors and museums so you know you will receive this original item offered. See photos for condition. Email me if you have any questions. (I have a few other letters from these men listed on eBay, please take a look).
This letter is dated January 19th 1944 and is written to his "Mother + Dad". The letter is 6 pages and has great content, some of which I don't understand because of the Jargon.
PFC. William (Billy) Ramsey is rather special as a solider because he becomes an Officer during the war which wa...s quite an accomplishment to understate. In addition his younger Brother, Pierce Theodore “Ted” Ramsey would also become an officer and a B-25 Pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen.
PFC. Billy Ramsey also had another Brother in the Army, Prt. Jack Ramsey who received his trained at Kessler Field, Mississippi. Both his Brothers Ted and Jack are mentioned in the letter.
PFC. Billy Ramsey was from a classic American Military Family. His Father, Sgt. William Beal Ramsey, Jr. was in WW1 and served with the all African American 368th Infantry Regiment,
PFC Ramsey is writting the letter from the Presidio in San Francisco, here is part of what he writes:
"You know all the big Colored outfits that were here are gone. With the exception of the patients in the host. We three + right now - me - are the only Cuffs on the whole post."
(I think the word "Cuffs" refers to him being a MP)
He also writes about his great pride of being from Philadelphia.
Family Background:
The Ramey Family were Philadelphian and light skinned African Americans. This impacted the way they were treated in the Military and when they were on furloughs.
It was tricky navigating racial discrimination in the military and in the letters I have read there is almost a code language the Brothers use in describing their treatment and the situations they were involved in. Lt. Billy Ramsey, I believe entered WWII service first out of the three Brothers and he would give advice to his other Brothers on how to get along and get ahead in the military. The Brothers grew up in the North but received most of their military training in the South. In doing so they were not a custom to the way African American were treated in the South to understate.
Lt. Bill Ramsey (I think was the oldest) would write his Brothers about the importance of laying low and obeying orders in getting along. Despite the many hurdles all these men encountered it is clear how patriotic the WW1 Father and his WWII Sons were and the importance of winning the War.
You can find videos on Youtube about his Brother Lt. Ted Ramsey if you do an online search: "Pierce Ramsey, TUSKEGEE"
See photos for content and condition. This letters and envelopes are guaranteed original. The letter also comes with a recent print of WWII photos of both Lt. Billy Ramsey's Brothers, Prt. Jack Ramsey and Lt. Ted Ramsey.
Bidding conditions and mailing below:I ship Priority Mail US Post Service, three day delivery. The reason why is virtually all of the items I sell are one of a kind and even though an item may not have a high selling price it is sometime priceless to the buyer. Also Priority Mail US Post Service is insured and is tracked to guarantee delivery. US buyers only. (I do make some exceptions for foreign buyers but you need to email me to get approval for bidding.You must have bought over 25 items on eBay, Paypal preferred and you must have a good rating in order to buy on this item/items.I have a 100% rating and have sold many rare and important document, letters and items to important collectors and museums so you know you will receive this original item offered. See photos for condition. Email me if you have any questions. (I have a few other letters from these men listed on eBay, please take a look).
