Akron, Ohio

September 11, 1944

 

Dear Evelyn,

 

            I am just sitting here trying to relieve my mind.  I just had a good cry over Jack.  I am sorry I haven’t answered all your letters but I have been so busy, I had so many papers to fill out over Jack’s business.  I have been down to the Red Cross three and four times a week and I haven’t been any to happy about it.  It seems the longer it is the harder it is going to be for me.  Evelyn I just can’t believe it.  I guess you are busy there is a lot to do on the farm.  How is your mother and Mr. R.?  I guess it is hard for them.  Evelyn I guess it is true about Jack.  Jack’s buddy wrote me a letter.  I received it last Tuesday and he said he just met Jack by accident going across.  He said that Jack’s ship picked him up and he said that he and Jack talked over their School Days and he said they both made a vow that what ever happened they would write home.  So he said it was a hard task.  He said Jack’s Tank spied a nest of Jap artillery and they were firing on it when the Jap’s fired back and it hit Jack’s Tank and it killed every one in the Tank but one – he was wounded in both knees.  He said Jack died instantly.  He said he didn’t have time to say a word.  Jack was hit in the head I guess he never knew what hit him.  He is buried in the 2nd Division Marine Cemetery in Saipan.  I just think it is terrible but I can rest a little better to know he didn’t suffer long.  Though Evelyn I will never get over that terrible telegram.  I just can’t live in this house.  Every time I go to the door I can see that man with the telegram.  So we sold this place and we are going to move some time in October.  Do you have all your field work done?  I just haven’t done anything this summer.  I think I have aged twenty-five years.  Evelyn no one knows what an awful feeling that is.  Gosh I loved Jack.  It don’t seem right he had to go.  Well maybe some day we will understand.  Here is a Church Bulletin and a nice writing about Jack.  They had that the Sunday they put the Gold Star with his name.  Always glad to hear from you.

 

                                                                                                            Love,

                                                                                                            Mrs. D.