Stouch: John W. Stouch Papers, 1933-1949
Call Number: MG-435
1 box 12 folders .33 cubic ft.
Repository: LancasterHistory.org (Lancaster, Pa.)
Shelving Location: Archives South, Side 10
Description: This collection contains papers representing the early life of John Wingard Stouch (1920-2004). Track and field programs, newspaper articles, certificates and correspondence with minor league teams illuminate his athletic career. He saved squadron newsletters, newspaper articles, correspondence and certificates related to his service in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. There are also photographs in the Photograph Collection.
Creator: Stouch, John Wingard, 1920-2004.
Conditions for Access: Restrictions are noted at the item level.
Conditions Governing Reproductions: Collection may not be photocopied. Please contact Research Staff or Archives Staff with questions.
Language: English, Japanese
Source of Acquisition: Gift of Jeremy Schmoel, 2007.
Related Materials: Photographs in the General Collection.
Administrative/Biographical History: In junior high school, high school, college and the army, John W. Stouch was an avid athlete. He was a member of the track, soccer, basketball and baseball teams. He went to McCaskey High School and ran track with Lancaster Olympian, Barney Ewell. He continued his athletic career at Franklin & Marshall Academy and then in the U.S. Army Air Forces in the Philippines, Japan and New Guinea when he served in World War II. He played minor league baseball for five years upon his return. He retired in 1970 from a career as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.
Folder 1 Junior High and High School, 1933-1938
Insert 1 Certificate of Perfect Attendance. 1933.
Insert 2 First Annual Track and Field Meet program for the Central Pennsylvania Junior High School Track Conference. William Penn High School. 19 May 1934. (photocopy)
Insert 3 The Scribe East Junior High School newspaper. Described an athletic award to John Stouch for outstanding boy in athletics. He participated in soccer, basketball and track as part of T9B’s. 30 January 1936. (Please use photocopy—Do Not use original)
Insert 4 Picture of Lancaster High School track squad of 1938. John is in first row. 19 June 1938. (photocopy and original)
Insert 5 Photocopy of article about Stouch’s bowling team at a local bowling alley. No date.
Folder 2 Junior High and High School Track Meet programs, 1934-1938
Insert 1 Track program of the 32nd Norristown High School Track and Field Meet listing Stouch in the 100-yd dash, 220-yd dash and broad jump, #442.1936.
Insert 2 Track program of the 34th Norristown High School Championship; Stouch listed in the 100-yd dash and broad jump, #411. Misspelled “Stauch.” 1938.
Insert 3 Program of the District Championship Track Meet held at John Harris High School in Harrisburg. Stouch entered in 100-yd dash, 220-yd dash and broad jump, #162. 16 May 1936.
Insert 4 13th Annual District 3 Track Meet program held in Harrisburg. Stouch is entered in 100-yd dash, 220-yd dash, broad jump, 880-yd and mile relays. 22 May 1937.
Insert 5 14th Annual District 3 PIAA Track Meet program. Held at F& M College. Stouch wearing #33 in 100-yd, 220-yd and 440-yd runs, broad jump, 880-yd and mile relays. 21 May 1938.
Folder 3 Stouch at Franklin and Marshall College, 1938-1939
Insert 1 F&M College Academy Catalog (1938-39) listing John Winger Stouch as an Upper Middlers.
Insert 2 Athletic certificate awarded to John W. Stouch. F.M.A. Varsity letter as member of soccer team. 1938.
Insert 3 Varsity letter certificate awarded to John W. Stouch as member of basketball team. 1939.
Folder 4 3rd Airdrome Squadron, 5th Air Force, Veteran
Insert 1 Commendation letter from the commanding officer of 3rd Airdrome Squadron, AP 321, to Pvt. John W. Stouch. 8 April 1944.
Insert 2 Letter of praise for John W. Stouch as a mechanic with a unit of the 5th Air Force Services Command stationed in the Philippine Islands. Awarded by Maj. Gen. Ennis C. Whitehead. With envelope. No date.
Insert 3 Letter from Harry F. Cunningham, Col. G.S.C., commending the men of the 5th Air Force. Dwells on the time frames of the Past, Present and Future to secure our hard-won victories in the far east during occupation. No date.
Insert 4 Letter from the War Dept for the members of the AAF Team saluting your effort and will endeavor to aid you in adjustment to civilian life. Also a certificate of appreciation to John W. Stouch from Gen. Arnold, Commander of Army Air Forces. No date.
Folder 5 Guide to Australia; Japanese Phrase Book
Insert 1 Pocket Guide to Australia, issued by the War and Navy Depts. An overall view of the continent helping troops stationed “down under.”
Insert 2 Japanese Phrase Book, issued by the War Dept for military personnel only. Covers an array of situations that an occupying army may confront.
Folder 6 Sports
Insert 1 The Tuba Tribune newsletter chronicles Stouch’s expertise in basketball as he led this team to victory. Other headlines were worldwide in scope.
Insert 2 Headquarters 6th Special Service Co. Basketball schedule is listed for all games with rules and regulations added. May 10-24. No year.
Insert 3 Headquarters 6th Special Service Co. Basketball schedule for May 25-June 7 listed. No year.
Insert 4 Headquarters 6th Special Service Co. Basketball games for June 8-16 listing the 3rd Airdrome Team (Stouch’s team). Also a note for basketball tournament commencing on June 18.
Folder 7 The Squadron Pulse Newsletter, 1945
Insert 1 The first newsletter published in the Philippines for the 3rd Airdrome Squadron entitled The Squadron Pulse. 3 March 1945.
Insert 2 The local base newsletter published weekly sets circulation record in second edition. 10 March 1945.
Insert 3 Newsletter invites articles under 100-150 words to be submitted. 17 March 1945.
Insert 4 Sports segment to be included in future editions. 14 March 1945.
Insert 5 Four editions included. One issue extols the athletic Prolaners of Johnny Stouch no matter what the sport. Could purchase beer for the base. Stouch saw notice on the bulletin board and went crazy yelling his approval. 31 March – 21 April 1945.
Insert 6 Newsletter recounts paratroopers fighting with the Japanese. 28 April 1945.
Insert 7 Stouch’s triple leads to baseball victory. Stouch, captain and manager, leads basketball team to first victory. 5 May 1945.
Insert 8 Celebrates VE Day and 2nd anniversary of being overseas as 3rd Airdrome Squad. Stouch leads team to baseball win. 12 May 1945.
Insert 9 Feelers put out there for annual convention for the squadron. Stouch leads Cagers to victory with 9 pts. Stouch key in baseball win with three hits, is currently holding a .308 batting average. 27 May 1945.
Insert 10 Stouch team scores for baseball, included 3 games. Record was 5-2 in first round. Also lost in basketball with Stouch tallying 4 pts. 3 June 1945.
Insert 11 Demobilization up in the air over, victory in Japan. In baseball, Stouch batting .364 for the season. 10 June 1945.
Insert 12 Stouch leads baseball team to third win of the week. Stouch scored 15 pts to lead basketball team to victory. 35-23 over 6th Army. They call him the “PA Dutchman.” Japan must pay the price for this war, as recounted in the column “My Daze.” 17 June 1945.
Insert 13 Special edition commends 3rd Airdrome for initial unit to occupy Japan. Four editions recapping war in Japan. September 1945.
Folder 8 Army Papers
Insert 1 “Invasion Prayer” written by President Roosevelt for D-Day. 6 June 1944. (photocopy)
The Tribune, Manila, Philippines. 13 December 1944.
Insert 2 “Serving Overseas.” Newspaper clipping reporting Stouch’s “skillful defense” of an air base in the Philippines. No date. (photocopy)
Newspaper clipping announcing Stouch’s army discharge. 24 November 1945. (photocopy)
“Information for persons being discharged or released from active service.” 20 November 1945.
Response from the Veterans Administration regarding a claim for his service-connected hearing loss and compensation benefits. 3 June 1948.
Folder 9 Japanese memorabilia
Insert 1 Picture from The Bull Ladle paper depicting Cpl. William A. Fowler and his service team. No date. (photocopy)
Insert 2 Pictures of Japanese peace party departing, lead by Lt. Gen. Kawabe. Picture of Sons of the Sun arriving at IE SHIMA. 20 August 1945.
Insert 3 Postcard and envelope with Japanese writing. No date.
Folder 10 Minor League Baseball Correspondence, Contracts, etc.
Insert 1 Release contract from Cordele Athletic Assoc. Inc. Class D. 29 July 1946.
Indefinite release from Peekskill baseball team because of a sore arm. 4 July 1947.
Reactivated to Peekskill club. 15 July 1947.
Released outright and unconditionally from Peekskill. 15 July 1947.
Insert 2 Baseball contract from Class D Eastern Shore League ball club in Federalsburg, Maryland for the upcoming season with a salary of $75.00 per month for Mr. Stouch to peruse. With envelope. 4 February 1941.
Insert 3 Invitation from University of Tampa for John Stouch to attend baseball clinic promoted by Bob Feller. College sent brochure and told of accommodations. School starts January 21. 7 January 1946.
Insert 4 A contract from Fort Smith Baseball Club extended to Stouch. Team is affiliated with the Giants and is part of the Western Association. Salary is $125.00. 11 February 1946.
Insert 5 Baseball contract signed by Stouch to be a member of the Peekskill Ball Club of the Class D North Atlantic League at salary of $125.00. 30 April 1947.
Insert 6 Contract signed by Stouch to play for Mahanoy City team of Class D North Atlantic League. 19 April 1948. Release form from the team, outright and unconditionally. 19 June 1948.
Insert 7 Invitation from the Topeka Baseball Club of the Western Association to try out for the club by reporting to Miami, Oklahoma on 1 April 1949. With envelope. 9 February 1949.
Insert 8 Letter acknowledging letter from John as to joining the Davenport Pirates of the Three I League. Message reminisced of old times—could not be of help but forwarded Stouch’s name to Cedar Rapids and Hutchinson. With envelope. 9 March 1949.
Insert 9 Follow-up correspondence from letter with Davenport team, letter conveys message that Stouch is invited to try out for the Hutchinson Elks team. Postcard from Leesburg, Florida Baseball Club to try out through 1 April 1949. With envelope. 11 March 1949.
Insert 10 Follow-up letter courtesy of Adam Pratt giving name of Stouch to the Cedar Rapids ball club. Told Stouch to submit resume of past baseball records. Envelope included. Letter and envelope incorrectly addressed to John Stover. 15 March 1949.
Follow-up of resume sent to Cedar Rapids team to come to tryouts, scheduled for April 8-10. Name correct. With envelope. 21 March 1949.
Insert 11 Official scorecard of Philadelphia Athletics for 1950 season. Lists schedules and rosters of all teams. Cost: 10 cents. No date, possibly opening day.
Folder 11 Lancaster Senior High School Varsity Athletic Certificate presented to John W. Stouch for basketball, 1936-1937 and 1937-1938, and track, 1937 and 1938. Signed by Abram E. Herr, coach; B. B. Herr, principal; and James Neely, department head. [1938].
Folder 12 Certificate of Honor presented to John W. Stouch by the City and County of Lancaster. Signed by Dale E. Carey, mayor and G. Graybill Diehm, County Commissioner. One copy with Stouch’s name, one without. No date.