Chuckie’s parents first received a telegram sometime shortly before receiving an official letter from the Brigadier General at the War Department notifying her that “regrettably” her son has been reported missing in action. I cannot begin to imagine the heartache my great-grandparents and family members felt in the days, weeks and months following receiving this news. How painful for any family to have to live every day with such uncertainty, no answers and not knowing if Chuckie was dead, alive or a POW.

Dear Mrs. Wilson:

This letter is to confirm my recent telegram in which you were regrettably informed that your son, Staff Sergeant Charles M. Wilson 13,108,714, Air Corps, has been reported as missing in action over France since 27 April 2944.

I know that added distress is cause by failure to recieve more information or details. Therefore, I wish to assure you that at any time additional information is received it will be transmitted to you without delay, and, if in the meantime no additional information is received, I will again communicate with you at the expiration of three months. Also it is the policy of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces upon receipt of the “Missing Air Crew Report” to convey to you any details that might be contained in that report.

The term “missing in action” is used only to indicate that the whereabouts or status if an individual is not immediately known. It is not intended to convey the impression that the case is closed. I wish to emphasise that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel. Under war conditions this is a difficult task as you must realize. Experience has shown that many persons reported missing in action are subsequently reported as prisoners of way, but as this information is furnished by countries with which we are at war, the War Department is helpless to expedite such reports. However, in order to relieve financial worry, Congress has enacted legislation which continues in force the pay, allowances and allotments to dependents of personnel being carried in a missing status.

Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty.

Letter to Chuckie’s mother from Brifadier General Robert H. Dunlap, 16 May 1944

Sadly, it would be two more years before Chuckie’s parents would recieve confirmation of his death and official change in status to Killed in Action. And many more years after that before any further details emerged. This remarkable story and details will be shared on upcoming posts.