Butcher, Jesse Smith letter - typed     Typed blue carbon copy or mimeographed letter on Illustrated New York Times letterhead stationery: “Jan. 13, 1920 Dear . Dr. Gordon: -- As requested, I have filled out the blank which I enclose. Like most Patchoguers, my war service was rather prosaic due to the fact that I did not go across. Someone in the Air Service who knew of my newspaper career on the Times changed my hopes of becoming an “ace” like Rickenbacker. Thaw and Campbell and I was assignd to the unenviable task of conducting the publicity necessary to gain recruits for the Air Service. As a member of the Publicity Bureau in Washington, I also prepared articles dealing with the flying corps and kept an eye on the camp newspapers published in the interests of the soldiers. It was a work which had to be done, I suppose, but I would have been happier if the job had been given to some other unlucky chap. I wanted to continue at the flying game, but the army is not given to consulting one’s desires! With highest personal regards, I am, Sincerely yours, Jesse Smith [Butcher]”