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HEADQUARTERS 508th PARACHUTE INFANTRY
APO 230, c/o Postmaster New York City, N.Y.
REJL/cts
12 December 1944
Mrs. Mabel DeWeese
415 W. Thomas
Shenandoah, Iowa
My dear Mrs. DeWeese:
You have been informed of the death of your son 1st
Lt Ralph E DeWeese, 0-1285392, who was killed in action, 23 September
1944, in Holland during our invasion of that country. No words can adequately
express our feelings of sympathy with, you in your loss. I can only impart
to you as a partial consolation the fact that your son died as a soldier,
a hero, performing his duty as only a paratrooper can for his regiment
and his country. It will comfort you to know that every soldier of this
regiment while in while in Ireland, England, France and Holland was able
to attend regularly the religious services of his faith and those we lost
were buried in Holland by a minister representing their own church.
This regiment was awarded the Presidential Citation for "Extraordinary
heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action the enemy in Normandy,
France, 6 June 1944,” In every engagement thereafter, the members of this
regiment without exception, conducted themselves in such a manner that
our battle accomplishments will go down in military history as out-standing
and extraordinary. In your sorrow you can also be proud of his participation
and Performance as a soldier.
It was inevitable that many of the fine men of this regiment were to pay
with their lives for our successes and accomplishments. Only fighting
soldiers like your son could have made possible the breaching and penetration
of the continental defenses,
I am not permitted at this time to give you the information you wish or
to disclose the exact burial place. At some future time the War Department
will send this information to you. For information concerning personal
effects, you should address an inquiry The Quarter Master General ASF,
Washington, D.C. If you desire any further information regarding his military
affairs, I suggest you write direct to the War Department.
In closing, may I reiterate that the regiment most sincerely joins you
in the sorrow of your recent bereavement. If I can be of assistance to
you in the futures please feel free to write me.
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