How were families was informed when a soldier, seaman, and pilot was killed in action. Someplace in a magazine or book, the families was informed by telegram that was bordered in black. Tell if I am wrong; I would like to know.
I can answer that, as we were one of the families who received that dreaded telegram! I wish I knew how to do get a picture on here, and I'd post a copy of the telegram. It was a "Western Union" telegram, on gold colored paper. Since we lived on R. R. Elk City, KS, the telegram was sent to the Depot in Elk City, and the agent there knew that my Mother's two sisters, Hattie Davidson and Myrtle Cox, lived in Elk City, so he called them, and they went down and picked up the telegram and they had the very sad duty to drive out to the community of Hale, (where we lived in the country) and tell Mother and Daddy the news. This is what the telegram had written on it:
"The secretary of war has asked me to express his deep regret that your son, Truitt, Rex D., was killed in action on Okinawa, 9 June 45. Confirming letter to follow."
This telegram was received by Mother and Daddy on July 10th., a month and a day after Rex had been killed. And, there was further correspondence, in the days to follow. Then, in March of 1949, Rex's body was shipped from his grave in Okinawa, to Longton. It came across the country by train. Our good friends were the Moores, and Thaine Moore was a Sgt. in the Army, and he asked for the assignment to accompany Rex's body "home." And, he did. His body arrived in Longton on a cold, rainy night, at the Longton Depot and there were so many people who had come out to the depot, to "be there." He is buried in the Longton cemetary, with my Mother and Daddy.
And, I truly do appreciate your inquiry! Thanks.
Oh, how sad. To lose a brother at anytime is sad. To have to wait from June 9, 1945, (the day he was killed), until March of 1949 for his body to be returned to his family is really sad.
Bonnie,
Did your family have any kind of a memorial after the notification or did everything wait for his body to come home?
Janet, no, we didn't have a Memorial service. We lived in the country at that time, and after the telegram, we moved to Longton. Mother and Daddy had been notified that, if they requested it, Rex's "remains" would be shipped to Longton, so it took that long for it to happen. There was a Memorial Service once his "remains" arrived, it was held in the High School gym, and the gym was full with family and friends. As you can imagine, it was very sad. Rex was twenty years old, when he was killed. He was the first born, and only son, as the next three children were girls.
I remember my grandparents talking about how they felt when a telegraph was brought to them. As it turned out my Uncle Dean was missing in action. They thought sure he was dead, and worried as they were, were so relieved that he was just missing. Months went by before they heard anything. Then a Ham radio operator, I believe in Switzerland sent them a postcard. This radio operator would sit and listen to the German transmissions sent out where they named the prisoner and gave the home address of each one. He wrote them down as fast as he could and would then send a postcard to the family, so they would know. My grandparents sent him some money to help him with stamps and post cards.
My Uncle Dean had been taken prisoner after their plane was shot down over Norway on a bombing mission. Some farmers hid them, but they were captured and sent by box car and then marched to Stalag 13? (the one the movie was about), in Austria. He was there for I believe 18 months. He made it home two weeks before my first birthday July 14, 1945 and spent it with us in Moline.
That's a story with a happy ending, but it sure was a very stressful time for all of those months and years when Dean's parents had no idea where he was, or what was going on. Is your Uncle Dean still alive?
Yes he is still alive and lives in Colorado. He wrote his memoirs of WWII a few years ago and sent them to me. He talks a bout being taken prisoner of war. Yes he was lucky to be alive.
I noticed your brother's name was Rex Truitt. There was a Rex Truitt who was a florist in Chanute, KS for years, I knew his youngest daughter Mary. Any relation to you?
Roma, I for one who be interested in reading the memoirs your uncle wrote. Might be an interesting thread to start. Huh, Teresa? Add a little each day you have time! Just a thought.
I would find it interesting, too and first daughter would love it.
There was a Rex Truitt who was a florist in Chanute, KS for years, I knew his youngest daughter Mary. Any relation to you?
Roma, I didn't know of the "Chanute Rex Truitt." There were other "Truitts" around, but I think they were "distant cousins." I never really knew any of them.
I'll check with Uncle Dean. If he approves I'll be happy put them up. Thanks
Fred and I attended the service for Rex. It was a sad, sad day for everyone there.
My brother Jack, was killed due to an automobile accident on his way home from work on New Year's eve 1997... and I got the message delivered by Sheriff Lloyd Ford at 1 AM on New Year's day, and had the duty to awaken my Mother and tell her. Jack was her first born then me and my sister. Never have I had a more heart breaking time. He truly was my hero.
Jo, we can just thank the good Lord for the good times, and the wonderful memories!
I thought you and Fred were probably at Rex's service. And, I was at your brother's funeral service. I liked him a lot, and, as you know, I went out with him quite a few times, back in the "old days!"
"Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end!"
Hey, Jo,
Two things. What was the year your brother was killed? You have 1997 and I was sheriff then. The next thing, where can we get an obit to put on the forum for your brother? Love ya, thanks.
Ted Copeland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Copeland living in the Paw Paw community southwest of Severy, was killed overseas on Feb. 10, 1945. His body was not returned to the states for burial until April 1949. He was buried in Cresco Cemetery.
The American Legion Post in Severy was named Copeland Hubbell Post. The boys were cousins. Ted was the son of Horace and the Hubbell was Frank Hubbell's son. Both still have quite a number of relatives in the area.
Myrna
Many from the Severy area went off to war to fight for their country during World War II. Some did not come home. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hubbell, living in the Paw Paw vicinity, lost two sons in a little over two months – Leslie Hubbell was killed in Belgium on Sept. 5, 1944 and Wilford Hubbell was killed in France on Nov. 16, 1944. Their other son, Marion (Pete) Hubbell, was ordered returned to the United States due to a policy adopted by the Army whereby the sole surviving son of a family who had lost two or more sons in defense of their country should be retained in or returned to the continental limits of the United States for permanent assignment.
Ted Copeland was a cousin to the Hubbell boys. Also killed from the Paw Paw vicinity was Ray Carl Highsmith, the son of Oscar C. Highsmith, on Dec. 28, 1944 in Belgium.
Richard Rhea Colyer (a brother to Margaret Gragg), son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold W. Colyer living west of Severy, near Piedmont, was killed while on a mission over Messina, Italy on July 14, 1943. His parents received the Purple Heart, awarded posthumously to their son.
Janet, that was a typo. Sorry --- my fingers did it again. Jack death was 1979.
Ted Copeland was the brother of Virginia Coble and Doyle Copeland who both now live in Howard, and Madge Hebb, formerly of Howard, who now lives in Tyler, Texas.
Patyrn, I was trying to think of the rest of the Copelands, one of the girls married Earl Dean who was Adrian's partner in "Hebb & Dean's", Billy was killed in a car wreck. I think there was one or two more. I know my wife remembered all of them. Really a nice family. When I was a kid I thought the Copeland place was one of the neatest around.
Frank
Marcia Copeland is married to Earl Dean and lives in Oklahoma City. Wilma Copeland was married to King Cooley, and he just recently passed away. They live in Harlingen, Texas. Bill Copeland was married to a Cornett girl from Severy and they were both killed in a car accident when their son, Billy, was a young child. Billy was raised by his grandmother in Severy, Ruth Cornett Massey, and his grandpa Horace Copeland also was a close figure in his life.
Thanks, Marcia and Earl lived neighbors to us when I was a little boy and he was in with Adrian. I have often wondered about them over the years. It has been along time but it seemed to me that Marcia looked somewhat like Madge.
Frank
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Copeland were both instantly killed on Oct. 4, 1955 in a three-car accident that occurred about three and one-half miles east of Jct. 99-96. The Copeland couple was thrown from their car and it appeared they were both run over by one of the cars and Mrs. Copeland was reported to have been dragged on the pavement quite a distance. Their baby son, William Eugene "Billy", received only bruises. The other two cars involved in the accident were driven by Leonard VanBuskirk and his sixteen year-old son, Billy. Bill Copeland was 22 yrs. of age and his wife, Alberta (Cornett) Copeland, was 20 yrs. old.