Dear Billy:

How could we catch up for all the years that have passed since we last saw each other? I was a twelve year old little girl and now I am a grandmother of three. You will always be my handsome big brother with Granddad's beautiful blue eyes. Losing you was devastating to the entire family, especially not knowing what had happened to you. We were told to get on with our lives and ask no questions. Not that Mom did that. She would pull out my portable typewriter and write to whomever she thought may have some information, but sadly got no results. She never gave up the hope that someday you would return. I believe your fellow Ranger, Ed Purcel came to visit Mom after being released as a POW. Mom passed away in 1959 from a heart attack and Dad in 1986 from leukemia.

Let me give you a little breakdown of the lives of your siblings. Joan married a coworker's brother and moved to NJ. The same year, the rest of us moved into a home two doors down from them. Joan and Jack had two daughters and were married almost 50 years when Jack passed away and Joan followed the following year. Don served in Korea the latter part of the 50's. He came home and married a girl from Bridesburg, and he and Rose have four children  one named Billy.

After graduating from high school, I worked for a short period for a jewelry store before getting a position at the Frankford Arsenal. I really enjoyed working there and moved up in the secretarial field to become an administrative assistant to a Lt. Colonel. I married in 1962 to a young man, Andy Hantwerker, who I had met when I was 13. After three years of marriage, we had a son, Kurt, and then in 1969, a daughter, Susanne. Andy was a Philadelphia police officer and was a very dedicated public servant. He had a broad career in many aspects of policing and retired, as an Inspector, in 1985 to accept a federal grant position dealing with organized crime. With this career change, came a move from Philadelphia to Virginia. This was followed by a position with the Commonwealth of Virginia for Andy, and I starting working for a district office of the department store, JCPenney. Kurt moved to Tulsa attending an aeronautics school. He never worked in that field, going into business instead. He has two sons and is married to Donna. Susanne graduated from high school and attended Longwood College graduating with an education degree. She is a reading specialist teaching kindergarten to third grade. Sue and Dave have one son.

Andy and I finally retired the end of the nineties to our home on the Chesapeake Bay. Billy, you would love it here. We look out our back and see the Bay. We have always boated on the Chesapeake even when we lived in Philadelphia. It is a good life. Your little sister, Janice, married a young man from our old Mershon Street neighborhood, Charles Payne. You played football with his older brother, Bill,. They have six children (including one named Bill), and I have lost count of the number of grandchildren.

Back in 2001, your family learned of an organization named Ranger Infantry Companies of the Korean War Association.. Through this wonderful organization, we finally pieced together your fate on that Spitfire Mission. Your fellow Rangers searched for you where you held off the enemy and also at the prearranged check points to no avail. We also learned that your missions were written about in papers and books. It was strange to read quotes from you regarding the lack of cigarettes and the broken radios. You would be amazed at the electronics the military now possess. I spoke to Sgt. Garner who was the radio operator for the Spitfire Mission who gave me a first hand account. At a memorial service held in Arlington, we had the honor of meeting some of the men you served with in Korea. Your friend, Rich Capone, told us of trying to find your family after returning to Philadelphia. An ironic thing in this regard, was that Andy and I had eaten in a bar that he bartended located on Frankford Avenue. Probably talked to him not knowing who he was. In 2003, you were inducted in the Ranger Hall of Fame at Ft. Benning, Ga. Brother, you are in there with some big name heroes. In 2003, a retired colonel took up your cause citing your bravery in holding off the enemy so your comrades could escape and submitted your name for the Distinguished Service Cross. It is still in committee.

Well, Bill, you may have been lost to us 55 years ago, but I wanted you to know that you were never forgotten. Our children and grandchildren know about you, and you will always be in our hearts.

Love

Margie

I was but an eighteen year old kid. I was on duty in the war zone but not on the front lines. The wounded and dead were flown into our landing strip before being transported elsewhere. I remember looking at each of your bandaged faces and frozen feet and saying a silent prayer for you. I knew not your names then and I know not your names now. But whatever your name and wherever you are this day I simply say, "Thank you".

Jack McVickers
Sea Bee, USN

Dad,

It's hard to believe that it has been 33 years since your life ended. There is so much that the family would have loved to share with you!

Mom is gone now too, and I'd like to think that you two are together again. She never married after you passed. For 30 years she stayed a widow.

I am almost 49 now, & I have given you two grandchildren, Ian & Sarah. And guess what??.... Ian is attending College! Can you believe that!! A first for the family!! You'd be so proud!

Belinda had her first daughter, Chasity in 1974. Her second daughter, Jill in 1979. Chasity has given Belinda 2 grandchildren, Dylan & Abbey. Jill has so far stayed single. After 27 years of marriage, Belinda divorced Jimmy. Looks like you were right!

We lost Myrna to lung cancer. It was very hard on all of us, but mom suffered the most. She felt it was unfair of God to take her daughter before her!

Duke finally met a perfect match for him. He and Connie have one son together, Stephen. I gave him the nickname of Gus. He's Duke made over. The "curse" caught up to Duke too. 0

The little gray house on 6th street was finally knocked down, but the red house is up for sale, at an overpriced amount!! The tree that you planted near the street, now stands tall. It was the only one out of 3 that made it. Just last month I got together with Belinda and Duke in Pacific. We donated your Army uniform to the local museum. We thought you might be pleased with that. We know how you loved the town, and so many there loved you.

The Flag that was draped on your casket is on display in my home, and has been for years. I also display the USA flag on the front of our house. I replace it with a new one when it becomes too ragged.

Do you remember, Malcolm Turnbull from WWII? You were his Sgt. In Europe. He says you were his favorite. He was a young boy then. He said you were a good leader and a fair man. Turnbull and his wife have become wonderful friends to me. He was surprised to hear that you stayed in the Army and went to Korea. I often wonder what would have happened if you wouldn't have re-enlisted. I'd like to think that I wouldn't be writing this letter.

That you would be here with me & the rest of the family. That you would have been able to keep that promise to mom, & spent your old age traveling the world!!

I'm sorry you died so young, 56...& that you never knew a grandchild to spoil & love, & sing your silly little made up songs to!!

I love you. I miss you every day....& still after all these years, I always continue to wonder... what if????

Love and kisses,

Rita

My father, Raymond Magnus Anderson, who served in Korea in 1952 with K Co, 35th Infantry regiment, 25th ID, can not write this letter, so I will in his place. My father passed away in August of 2000.

My father came home from Korea, where he met and fell in love with my mother, Betty Hartwell. They were married 16 October, 1955. He had 4 children, Susan, Bob (me), Karen and Janice. He was truly a devoted father. He really loved his family, and cherished his time with them.

As a young child, I remember my father struggling to operate his own (failing) printing business, while at the same time working full time to support his young family. He was literally working 20 hours per day, 7 days per week. Only now, as I am raising my own family, can I really appreciate these efforts.

My father was also devoted to his church. He was a gifted singer, woodworker, and teacher. He used these gifts to the great benefit of others. He was perhaps the most unselfish man I have ever had the privilege of knowing. He strove to make this world a better place. I believe that he lived this way purposefully, to honor you, his fallen comrades.

Shortly after retirement, my father was diagnosed with a severe neurological disorder, sort of a very aggressive Parkinson's disease. Over the course of about 4 years, he progressed from being completely healthy, to an invalid. When he was diagnosed, the first thing he decided to do was to remodel his kitchen. I am talking about building his cabinets from scratch, and doing a complete renovation. He did manage to complete this project, although barely. During this time, my father became very close with his grandson Sean, as we moved into a house just down the street from him. He also kept his great sense of humor and joy of life, right to the end.

My father would want you to know that he carried a piece of each and every one of you in his heart. He knew that he was one of the lucky ones. He came home, and lived a full and happy life. He knew exquisitely of your agony, and felt anguish every day of his life.

I would like you and your families to know that we will never forget your courage, commitment, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice. You answered the call of duty, not knowing what fate awaited you. I am so sorry that you did not get to experience a full, rich life like my father did. Your lives were cut short. There is no telling what great things that you would have accomplished. Just know that your lives were not lost in vain. The 48,000,000 people of South Korea have lived in freedom and prosperity because of your sacrifice. Think of it. This is almost 20% of the population of the USA. This is more than the entire population of New England, New York, and New Jersey combined. They all have avoided torment and starving under a brutal and communistic regime, because you answered the call of duty.

Thank you and may God bless you.

Bob Anderson

I am sending you a note to let you know that I am fine and to also to let you know what I have been up to in the last fifty-three years. After the war ended, I came home, got discharged, went on with my life and married the finest woman in the world. We have two children and three grandchildren. I ended up in sales and spent forty years in the specialty steel business. I am retired now and live here in California with my wife of 51 years. I am seventy-four years old and as I recall, you too, were born in 1932 so we are the same age.

I still remember when I first met you and that was when our Company was in a blocking position before we went up to Heartbreak Ridge. I was the new B.A.R. man in the first platoon and you were a quiet, soft-spoken corporal at the time of our meeting. You weren't very talkative, but I'm guessing that you had dreams like all of us about getting this terrible war over and returning home to our loved ones.

I still remember well, the relentless mortar and artillery barrages we were under on Outpost Queen. I think that I may harbor some guilt feelings that I survived and got to live this long, full life when so many of our young men didn't make it out of Korea alive.

I want you to know that it is fifty-three years later and I think of you whenever my mind drifts to our combat days. And, I am sad to say that this happens more often to me now that I am in my twilight years of life. We never forget fine young men who sacrificed for their country and we certainly don't forget buddies that have fallen in war. I hope that God is taking special care of you because nobody deserves it more than you. You are a very special person in my life.

Don, I have to leave you for now, but until we meet again, I say goodbye old buddy for I've not forgotten you over these many years - and I never will.

Sincerely,

Gunnar Osterberg
Dana Point, Ca.

Sergeant Donald W. Gibson, from Mercer, Kentucky, was killed on Outpost Queen during a mortar barrage on July 19th, 1953. He was only a few feet from me when this happened. He was a squad leader in Charlie Company of the 179th Regiment, 45th Division. He lost his life eight days before the armistice signing and the ending of this terrible war.

Dearest Tommy:

I will never forget the day that the telegram arrived, reporting that you had been killed or the huge funeral procession snaking along the winding road to your burial site.... or the bells tolling at the cemetery.... or the peaceful swans on the little lake near your grave. I was only 8, then.

Your death was devastating to Daddy. We moved to Florida a few years after your death, and Daddy retired from the ministry. He just couldn't preach anymore.

This summer our family went back to Davenport and found your gravesite. The swans are still just as peaceful.

Mary told me once about your fiance. I have often wanted to find her, just to learn what has happened with the rest of her life. It must have tough for her to lose you, and be ignored by our family.

I don't think Mary ever fully recovered from losing her big brother. She idolized you, you know. The rest of us kids were younger, and really hardly knew you.

You would be proud to know that my son, your great-nephew, has just retired from the Marine Corps after a distinguished career as an officer, including a trip to Iraq. Thankfully, he returned safely. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton for several years, and each time I went to visit, I was haunted by your presence, knowing that you were there before heading overseas.

When you were a young Marine, you were idolized by a 5 year old in our church. This year he found me through the Korean War Project web site, and we have stayed in touch. His mother and sister still live in the Davenport area. He visited your gravesite recently too  so you are still being remembered by many people.

Last year my grandchildren had a contest in their school district entitled "Heroes". Addison chose you as his hero, and he won a prize for his entry.

Rest in peace, big brother. We still think of you, and thank you for your sacrifice. Semper Fi!

Flo (Florence Hoenes Shaffer)