Lt Edward Lacy King Jr.
"Think of how it will be when we are back together for always"
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Includes short biography. |
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This page: includes inventory. |
Inventory of the Donation
- Large collection of original letters written by Barney to his wife Helen and his parents
- Smaller collection of letters written by Barney's parents and his wife
- Correspondence concerning Barney's loss sent to his wife and family by official sources and letters of condolence sent by friends and family
- Copy of the Accident Report into Barney's death and the findings of the Investigation
- Documentation regarding Lt King's Naval service
- Photographs
- Other materials, including copies of cartoons and newspaper cuttings
Excerpts from Lt King's Letters:
12 May 1945 to his wife
It is hard for me to express in writing how much I miss you. It's been so happy for us both to be together. When I think of all the time we will be together, it sort of lessens the temporary sorrow at our being separated now. Think of how it will be when we are back together for always. Am so glad you are feeling well. Good night honey. Will dream of you again tonight.
26 June 1945 to his wife
We took a boat trip to Corregidor today and I got sunburned on the way back. I had some pictures taken around there and will send them home when I get them...We looked all over the island and in the hospital cave where the last fighting took place. There were dead Japs all over the place and I thought of sending Pack his Jap skull, but most were still being used slightly. We got some pens and stuff out of the pockets and one of the fellows got 2 bayonets. I got a rifle and other papers. There were a lot of helmets, canteens etc lying around. The Japs were pretty ripe and one of the boys got sick. We took our guns along because there were still a few Japs around. We could hear shots now and then and the Army gets 1 or 2 every day or so.
July 5, 1945
Dearest Helen,
Well honey here I am again. The "glorious 4th" went by here with out much of a ripple. I certainly do remember the ones we used to have at the bluff. Worked on a couple of nose fuse paperweights for Daddy last night. My various projects are coming along OK and I'll send your box on out soon. So far none of your boxes have arrived. Some fellows got some yesterday mailed the 5th of May so in the future I imagine it would be best to send anything air mail. Took some pictures of the place but we have no way of getting them printed. The negatives came out fine, but no way to have them printed.
Am enclosing a money order for $100. I thought you could get the evening dress I spoke of and really make it good! Am looking forward to your pictures and your assurance that they'll be sent makes me feel better. I'm really sorry that I have to do my looking at something like that second hand. I could do so much more first hand!
I guess this letter will be a short one. Not much has happened since I last wrote. Of course as you can gather, I miss you all the time and look forward every day to the time when we will be together again. The rainy season seems here to stay. We have a time keeping dry even in a Quonset hut. We made curtains to drop down over the windows, but sometimes the rain gets in anyhow. I fixed my jeep up with regular vacuum wipers instead of the standard hand type and that is a help. My sport type raincoat made from the parka works well also.
Well honey, I guess this is all for now. Will write a better letter tomorrow. I hope you are feeling OK. Take care of yourself as you are very important to me. All my love Barney.
Excerpt from Lt King Letter:
13 August 1945 to his wife - this was the final letter as Lt King was killed 8 days later
If the news is favorable tonight, perhaps I'll be on the way home before long. It can't be too soon...Glad to hear that you are getting the kids on schedule. They had better be on schedule well enough to have you leave them for our 2nd honeymoon. Well good night honey.
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Includes short biography. |
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This page: includes inventory. |