Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Ray F. Yager scrapbook

Abstract

The Ray F. Yager scrapbook (dated 1916-1923, undated; 0.17 cubic feet; 3 folders, 6 photographs) comprises one scrapbook that documents the experience of Ray F. Yager at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in the early twentieth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Ray F. Yager scrapbook
Date
1916-1923, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Yager, Ray F.
Extent
0.17 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Students.
Military life.
Letters.
Family.
Maryland
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0931: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Ray F. Yager scrapbook, 1916-1923, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Captain Ray F. Yager (1899-1957) was born in La Grange, Kentucky to Joel Woodford Yager (1867-1954) and Estella Stucy (1878-1931). In 1917, he entered the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland under an accelerated wartime program. In 1920, he was commissioned an ensign and served on the cruiser St. Louis, the destroyer Fox, and the battleship Utah. He later became an engineer officer of the submarine R-22 and executive officer of the O-3. In 1926, he resigned from the Navy and engaged in real estate in Kentucky, Florida, and Texas. In 1940, he returned to the service via the Naval Reserve and was called to active duty at the Bureau of Ships in 1941. After the end of World War II, Yager was an industrial relations officer and shop superintendent at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard and in the 1950s, served as industrial relations officer at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. While working at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, he also did duty as a senior member, industrial engineering officer, and member of the physical evaluation board of the United States Civil Service Examiners.
In 1932, Yager married Alice H. Evans (1907-1975). Together the couple had two children, Elizabeth A. and William R.
American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
Scope and Content
The Ray F. Yager scrapbook (dated 1916-1923, undated; 0.17 cubic feet; 3 folders, 6 photographs) comprises one scrapbook that documents the experience of Ray F. Yager at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in the early twentieth century. The scrapbook contains letters from Kentucky Representative James Cantrill discussing Yager's application to the academy, Yager's grades, newspaper clippings describing activities of the midshipmen, and photographs depicting fellow midshipmen. Many items were loose in the back of the scrapbook, including more newspaper clippings and full newspapers from Annapolis, letters sent to Yager's parents about his and his brother's acceptances in to the Naval Academy and West Point, and photographs depicting the Yager family.
The Ray F. Yager scrapbook collection is part of the Wade Hall Collection of American Letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Ray F. Yager scrapbook, 1916-1918, undated

  • Box WH-118, folder 2
To top

Ray F. Yager papers, 1916-1923, undated

  • Box WH-118, folder 3
To top

Newspaper clippings, 1917-1918, undated

  • Box WH-118, folder 4
To top

Photographs, undated

  • Box WH-113, item 1-4
  • Box WH-100, item 5-6
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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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Submit a request for SCRC materials.




You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.