killed in action during the WW I and II

[archeobabe]

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.

[Bonnie M.]

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.

[Janet Harrington]

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?

[Bonnie M.]

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.

[Roma Jean Turner]

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.

[Bonnie M.]

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?

[Roma Jean Turner]

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?

[Ole Granny]

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.

[Wilma]

I would find it interesting, too and first daughter would love it.

[Bonnie M.]

 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.