Revealed: Soldier’s Heartbreaking WWII Letter Telling a Mother of Her Son’s ‘Supreme Sacrifice’

To begin with I wish to tell you that Kenneth was the best friend that I ever had or ever expect to have. His passing away was about the hardest shock I suffered in this war. I say this realizing what it must mean to his mother. No doubt the War Department has by now notified you concerning his death which occurred on a prison ship enroute from the Philippine Islands to Japan in January, 1945.

We left Manila on Dec.13, 1944 and on the second day out we were attacked by American dive bombers. Our ship was hit many times and finally burst into flames and we were forced to jump overboard. Kenneth and I went over at the same time. He was sick at the time and I swam ashore with him helping him all I could. When we reached shore we were recaptured and later put on another ship and reached the island of Formosa. Here we were again attacked by American dive bombers on the morning of Jan. 13, 1945. Kenneth and I were sitting side by side just eating our small handful of rice when a bomb hit our ship and Kenneth suffered a broken right leg and a fractured left am. I was hit in the right hand by the same piece of shrapnel that fractured his left arm. I did everything I could for him but there was no medicine available and he died a few days later. His last words to me were to notify you and the girl to whom he was engaged that he wouldn’t be home, and that he thought of you both as well as the remainder of the family up to the very last. He knew he could not make it although I kept trying to keep him cheered up to the very end. He died a true soldier. He was not afraid to die. I am sure that if he would have had his choice of death he would have chosen the most glorious of dying in battle but God decides such questions. He was buried at sea somewhere between Formosa and Okinawa. Someday soon I hope to see you and talk to you personally, as he and I had many things planned that we were going to do.

One thing I would like to ask of you and that is if you have a picture of him I would like to get one made off it for myself.

I am not too sure but I think the date of his death was Jan. 26th. We were put on another ship and he died while on it. Although his death did lack the glory of dying on the field of battle, he gave his life just as freely for the cause for human freedom as any who fell in front of the salvo of enemy guns. His was the supreme sacrifice for God and country and I am sure that he was received with open arms by Him who holds the power of destiny over us. May God always bless his brave and good soul and may I ask God to bless you as his mother. Let me hear you and always that I am at your service.

Sincerely yours,

O. Edward Saalman

Capt. Infantry — AUS

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