Lubbock, Texas, Army Air Field -- This Iowan, Lt. Raymond J Drewelow of New Hampton, had reason a-plenty to smile on gradation day May 24 at this advanced twin-engine bomber pilot training school. His wife, dad and mother, and four sisters were all on hand to share his thrill of achievement upon receiving his silver wings and a commission as an air forces second lieutenant. Now he's set to take his place with other American front-line fliers and fighters.
Left to right in the picture are Rita Drewelow; Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Drewelow, parents of the graduate; Rose Mary Drewelow; Lieutenant Drewelow and his wife (pinning on the wings); Ramona Drewelow; and Ruth Bussard. All are from New Hampton except the two sisters, Ramona, whose home is Cedar Rapids, and Mrs. Bussard, who lives in Terrell, Texas.
A University of Iowa student in 1939-40, Lieutenant Drewelow entered the army March 1, 1941. He served with the heavy mechanized unit for more than a year, after which he transferred to the air forces and Brooks Field at San Antonio, where he was appointed as an aviation cadet last year.
Source: The Courier, Waterloo IA - May 30, 1943 (photo included)
Ramona Drewelow, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew M. Drewelow, Route 6, Raymond road, has been commissioned an ensign in the naval reserve and will report to the naval station, Great Lakes, Ill., Jan. 24, for active duty, it was announced here Tuesday.
Ensign Drewelow is a graduate of high school at New Hampton, Ia., and Mercy school of nursing, Cedar Rapids, Ia., and since has been employed at the St. Francis hospital here.
She has two brothers in service, Sgt. Roland J. Drewelow, who just returned to Ft. Sam Houston, Tex., after spending a furlough here, and Lt. Raymond Drewelow, who has been missing in action over New Guinea since March 1944; also two brothers-in-law, Pfc. Richard Hopkins, who has just goner overseas and William H. Bussard, in the air corps at Sheppard field, Tex.
Source: The Courier, Waterloo IA - January 9, 1945
