| dc.description.transcription | Rossville, Illinois March 13, 1943 Amon Carter, Sr. Fort Worth, Texas Dear Sir: I see in the Chicago Daily Tribune that your son has been missing in action in North Africa since Feb. 14. We received a message from the War Department that my brother, C.P.L. Frederick Kuhne, 36003396, Co I 1st Armed Regt., A.P.O. 251, has been missing in action since Feb. 14. This message came Thursday, March 11 issued from Washington at 1:15 P.M. Since this article is dated March 3, delayed, and the fact that it seems to be known that your son was located at or near Faid pass in an advanced position it has led me to believe that you may be in a position to gain a little more information regarding the fate of our boys than our people can. If you can at any time through the Associated Press or otherwise find out anything to throw any light on the matter we would appreciate it if you would let us know. Frederick was a tank driver. He enlisted at the beginning when it was plain we would have to have an army and received his training. He is twenty-seven, a strong boy, and we feel that if he is living he will fare as well as the rest. He landed at Oran and was there for long. He was moved to North Africa from Belfast, via England, landing in Africa probably in the second convoy perhaps about three weeks after the first landings. His last letter was dated Jan. 16 but he didn't say that he was in Oran then. The War Department will notify us of any important findings but naturally we want to find out if there is any chance that he is alive. The "59 killed - 176 wounded, and 2007 missing" report gives us a little encouragement. Our friends hasten to assure us that we have more reason to hope than not to. Frederick wanted to do his share and he never complained. He was anxious to see service and get his tank in operation. It seems too bad that he didn't get to stay in the fight longer. I know that you, too, are anxious about your son. We are determined to carryon and not let this interfere with our own efforts to bring justice and righteousness into the world. I have just heard that the Germans claim 4000 prisoners but we can't tell; but at least, that gives us that much more room to hope. Sincerely, Mildred Kuhne | |
