I know my father would have loved to have had access to this kind of website and all the information it shares.  Now, as I read through Harry's letters, I too, want to know all I can to find out every detail possible of what happened to him.  Now that I'm the one reading the letters, I feel closer to my father and I feel I finally have had a chance to get to know my uncle.  I feel honored to be the caregiver of those letters that are so priceless to our family.  Now it is my turn to carry the grief of Harry's loss.

 

I would appreciate very much, if it is possible Harvey remembers anything about Harry.  From his letters, I know Harry spent most of his time in the engine room and that he enjoyed drinking and telling stories with his shipmates.  I can tell from his letters that he was quite the character and that's why I have hope that Harvey may remember him.

 

Although I don't have a lot of information, other than he died that fateful night when the LST went down, I do recall my father mentioning that Harry had died from a concussion torpedo and there wasn't a mark on his body.  The story goes that my grandfather couldn't take the pain of having his son's young body being delivered to his hometown of Austin, Texas.  Because of that, Harry's body was buried in North Africa. 

 

Please let me know if I can provide any other information or if I need to send a picture of Harry.  I really appreciate any and all help you can give me in my quest to find everything possible about my brave uncle.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carol Boatman Gage