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Post by VeeVee on Apr 24, 2010 15:42:31 GMT -5
Got this envelope from ebay. Pretty interesting history. - Mailed from Clark Field - Fort Stotsenburg post mark - Two weeks before the war started - Philadelphia address... not a very nice neighborhood anymore, can still be googled I wonder if the Lt. R. S. Smith survived the war.  |
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bolo
New Member
Posts: 34
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Post by bolo on Apr 24, 2010 21:19:44 GMT -5
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Post by oklahoma on Apr 25, 2010 16:52:13 GMT -5
Hey Bolo...Now this is what I call "living history". Not a bad looking building and the vehicles ain't too shabby either. Maybe this is a "mob" safe house,etc. lol
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Post by VeeVee on Apr 25, 2010 20:49:34 GMT -5
I was thinking of driving by next time I was going to be in that part of town but... I forgot Google has street view!
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Post by rickthelibrarian on May 2, 2010 8:05:14 GMT -5
The 30th was a part of the 19th BG, which arrived just about the time the letter was mailed. Must have been a "I got here safe" letter. There is a 19th BG/BW association. Maybe you could track down the gentleman on their website or by checking with them.
Fascinating find!
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Post by oklahoma on Oct 2, 2010 10:34:04 GMT -5
Hey Vic. & Rick...This is rather belated info, but a 2nd Lieutenant Richard F. Smith is listed as being a member of the 30th Bomb Squadron in William Bartsch's book, "December 8, 1941". There is no R.S. Smith on the Squadron Officer Roster posted in the index. Maybe a "typo" in the manuscript. Richard F. Smith is the only Smith listed and the author of the letter ain't gonna forget his middle initial, lol. Just thought I would add this little tidbit to the discussion. Sorry I have been so remiss in posting this bit of info. This envelope is rather intriguing. Little did this young Officer know what would transpire in his young life just days away. Cheers.
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Post by VeeVee on Oct 7, 2010 13:15:36 GMT -5
I wonder whatever happened to him...
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Post by oklahoma on Oct 7, 2010 16:12:22 GMT -5
Hey Vic...This Lt Smith wasn't killed at Clark Field during the bombing raid or at least he isn't listed in the casualties in the book index. Of course, he could have "bought it" later flying missions, either in the PI or later down in the Dutch East Indies. It is an intriguing question, isn't it??? Seems as though we kinda know him due to that long ago posted letter back home to Philly.
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Post by VeeVee on Oct 8, 2010 20:36:36 GMT -5
Or he may have survived. I think you're right... the middle initial may have been a typo.
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Post by PeterO on Jun 14, 2012 21:37:58 GMT -5
Alas, Richard A. Smith, promoted to Capt. #0-019512, did not survive. He was transferred to 92nd Coast Artillery on Corregidor, captured. Last known camp Cabuanatuan. Died 27 Jan. 1945. From ABMC records.
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Post by VeeVee on Jun 20, 2012 21:52:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the info PeterO.
He died Jan 27th 1945? What bad luck... three more days and he'd have been rescued by the Rangers in Cabanatuan.
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Post by VeeVee on Feb 25, 2015 9:52:03 GMT -5
Another mail cover from Calrk Field/Fort Stotsenburg.  |
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