George E. Lovell, Jr. Papers

Collection Summary

Title: George E. Lovell, Jr. Papers
Call Number: MS 94-16
Size: 2.0 linear feet
Acquisition: Purchased from Pacific Coast Auction, 1993
Processed by: JEO, 2-8-1994; JEF, 11-16-1998; JLY, 8-2007; Staff, 11-2012
Restrictions: None

Literary Rights

Literary rights were not granted to Wichita State University. When permission is granted to examine the manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.

Content Note

The George E. Lovell, Jr. Papers consist of documents, photographs, and memorabilia regarding Lovell’s career as an Army Aviator from World War I through the late 1950s. Other related materials display his family and social life including photographs of his mother, father, wife and family both in leisure and military-related life. The materials serve as a tool in understanding life, dress, and military history from the early to mid-20th century.

Detailed Description: Series Listing

Series 1 Box 1 FF 1-9 Military Career Documents
Series 2 Box 1 FF 10-12 Memorabilia
Series 3 Box 1 FF 13 Genealogy
Series 4 Box 1 FF 14-Box 2 FF 6 Photographs
Series 5 Box 2 FF 7 Miscellaneous
Series 6 Oversized Storage Military Certificates
 

Detailed Description: Box and Folder Listing

Series 1 – Military Career Documents 

Box 1 FF 1 Two documents, one dated October 24, 1908 informing Lovell as admitted to West Point and a certificate of mental qualifications dated February 2, 1909 for attending West Point.
Box 1 FF 2 Several documents pertaining to Lovell’s early military service including the following: a War Department Personal Order rating Lovell as “Military Aviator,” October 5, 1920, a certification of graduation from United States Special Service Schools Air Service, August 15, 1922. Copies of military orders to Lovell on December 6, 1922.
Box 1 FF 3 Various documents including witnesses to George Lovell Sr.’s marriage, 1886. War orders dated August 17, 1913 and several documents tracing Lovell’s family and military history.
Box 1 FF 4 Four personnel orders dated between 1939 to 1945 to Lovell. Also, an unsigned undated poem found among the orders.
Box 1 FF 5 Documents including Lovell’s record of service to April 4, 1945, also clinical abstracts, physical reports, interviews pertaining to Lovell’s retirement.
Box 1 FF 6 Documents and memos dated from April 2, 1946 to April 26, 1950 pertaining to Lovell’s retirement and veteran benefits. Included also is a “Graphological Analysis of Colonel Lovell, Jr.” by Virginia Drew.
Box 1 FF 7 Documents and correspondences July 15, 1949 to June 19, 1957 from the War Department and Veterans administration on retirement and pension for Lovell. Included also is a typed draft and newspaper obituary from 1972 on George Lovell.
Box 1 FF 8 Letter of confirmation for Lovell to the “Ordine de Santi Meurzio e Lozzaro” (in Italian) dated March 26, 1931.
Box 1 FF 9 Certificate honoring the memory of Lovell following his death in 1972, signed by Richard Nixon (possibly stamped).

Series 2 – Memorabilia

Box 1 FF 10 Memorabilia: A shoulder rank insignia patch; A medal given by Italians to Lovell of a Maltese Falcon (its gem stone center has been chipped off); another medal of an enamel and metal cross with “Terza Armata” (third army) inscribed.
Box 1 FF 11 Memorabilia. An 1913 edition of “The Howitzer,” the West Point yearbook including a picture of Lovell.
Box 1 FF 12 Several typewritten papers explaining the family history of the Lyter Family, a description of a Coat of Arms for the Miller Family and a family history of Mary Reynolds.

Series 3 – Genealogy

Box 1 FF 13 Family photographs including photographs of Lovell’s father; a photo of a young Lovell addressed to his parents; two large portrait photographs of Lovell’s mother and father (in military dress); a photo of Lovell with parents and sister; photos of Lovell’s parents at a young age.

Series 4 – Photographs

Box 1 FF 14 Several photographs from 1915 to 1931 depicting Lovell’s civilian life including family, children and a photograph of Lovell at a pre-teen age with the family dog (presumably).
Box 1 FF 15 Photographs of family including wedding, daughter, and two large photographs of George Lovell and wife dated June 1, 1942.
Box 1 FF 16 Three separate studio pictures as Lovell as a West Point cadet.
Box 1 FF 17 Photographs of Lovell pertaining to military service including those with Lovell by airplanes, other servicemen, in Rome, and decorating another serviceman.
Box 1 FF 18 Two photos. One of unidentified man with two young girls. The second of a dinner party with participants identified, left to right, Lt. Walter Joyce, Frances, Lt. Bill Murray and Lt. and Mrs. Hal Oliver.
Box 1 FF 19 These photographs show Lovell in middle years. Photographs of Lovell with other officers at attention, one entitled “Review for Col. Lovell” of serviceman, and of Gen. Arnold stepping out of a plane.
Box 2 FF 1 Collection of mounted, dated photographs from 1915 to approximately November 11, 1944 (last date listed). Included are photographs of aircraft, vacations, and Lovell with aircraft. This album was kept by Lovell’s daughter.
Box 2 FF 2 Several photographs of Lovell: as a West Point cadet, in uniform, at work at desk, and an older Lovell in profile (studio photo).
Box 2 FF 3 Photographs of Lovell and Lovell with Cavalry company in older-style cavalry dress regalia.
Box 2 FF 4 Album of approximately 450 photographs dated from 1914 to possibly mid-1930s. Photos include Lovell with aircraft, family, or on vacation. Many of photographs are captioned and glued into the album.
Box 2 FF 5 Large photos of Lovell in uniform.
Box 2 FF 6 Large leather bound photo album of approximately 133 photographs.

Series 5 – Miscellaneous

Box 2 FF 7 Framed certificate in Italian, 1931.

Series 6 – Military Certificates

Oversized Storage   Large certificates: Diploma from West Point, 1913; From the President of the United States appointing Lovell to Second Lieutenant of Cavalry, 1937; From the President of the United States appointing Lovell to First Lieutenant of Cavalry, 1941; certificate in Italian, 1937.