LETTER OF SYMPATHY IS RECEIVED
The following letter was received by Mr. James P. Branscome, father of Walton Branscome, who was killed on Iwo Jima.
Dear Mr. Branscome,
Knowing at the outset there is little I can say that will atone for your tremendous loss, the friends of Walton can only attempt to share with you in this, your hour of bereavement. It is not within my power to reason why God chose one of our comrades to go, others to remain in this, the most hotly contested of all Marine campaigns for every company commander prays that he will be able to bring all his members of his command through safely. Not having been able to fulfill the impossible, at least you will be proud to know your son died an extraordinarily brave man in keeping with the highest Marine Corps traditions. For on February 21st he was mortally hit while charging an enemy pillbox. His assistant B A R man Lionel Carejo's weapon jammed, so Walton diverted the enemys attention to permit the former to reload his rifle. Such unselfish action that cost him his life was in keeping with his entire outlook, a capable leader, universally liked and an inspiration to the members of his platoon. Undoubtedly, his next life, like this one, will be a full and happy one though we will never be able to fill the gap he has left in our ranks.
Should there be anything we can do please do not hesitate to let us know; that after all is the last we can endeavor to accomplish in view of the splendid example set by those who have gone on ahead. Our mission remains the same, to carry the torch onward and upward. God bless you and keep you in these troublesome times.
Sincerely,
Capt. L. F. Howell
USMC.R.
The Carroll News, Hillsville, VA
Thursday, May 24, 1945; page 5
The following letter was received by Mr. James P. Branscome, father of Walton Branscome, who was killed on Iwo Jima.
Dear Mr. Branscome,
Knowing at the outset there is little I can say that will atone for your tremendous loss, the friends of Walton can only attempt to share with you in this, your hour of bereavement. It is not within my power to reason why God chose one of our comrades to go, others to remain in this, the most hotly contested of all Marine campaigns for every company commander prays that he will be able to bring all his members of his command through safely. Not having been able to fulfill the impossible, at least you will be proud to know your son died an extraordinarily brave man in keeping with the highest Marine Corps traditions. For on February 21st he was mortally hit while charging an enemy pillbox. His assistant B A R man Lionel Carejo's weapon jammed, so Walton diverted the enemys attention to permit the former to reload his rifle. Such unselfish action that cost him his life was in keeping with his entire outlook, a capable leader, universally liked and an inspiration to the members of his platoon. Undoubtedly, his next life, like this one, will be a full and happy one though we will never be able to fill the gap he has left in our ranks.
Should there be anything we can do please do not hesitate to let us know; that after all is the last we can endeavor to accomplish in view of the splendid example set by those who have gone on ahead. Our mission remains the same, to carry the torch onward and upward. God bless you and keep you in these troublesome times.
Sincerely,
Capt. L. F. Howell
USMC.R.
The Carroll News, Hillsville, VA
Thursday, May 24, 1945; page 5
LETTER OF SYMPATHY IS RECEIVED
The following letter was received by Mr. James P. Branscome, father of Walton Branscome, who was killed on Iwo Jima.
Dear Mr. Branscome,
Knowing at the outset there is little I can say that will atone for your tremendous loss, the friends of Walton can only attempt to share with you in this, your hour of bereavement. It is not within my power to reason why God chose one of our comrades to go, others to remain in this, the most hotly contested of all Marine campaigns for every company commander prays that he will be able to bring all his members of his command through safely. Not having been able to fulfill the impossible, at least you will be proud to know your son died an extraordinarily brave man in keeping with the highest Marine Corps traditions. For on February 21st he was mortally hit while charging an enemy pillbox. His assistant B A R man Lionel Carejo's weapon jammed, so Walton diverted the enemys attention to permit the former to reload his rifle. Such unselfish action that cost him his life was in keeping with his entire outlook, a capable leader, universally liked and an inspiration to the members of his platoon. Undoubtedly, his next life, like this one, will be a full and happy one though we will never be able to fill the gap he has left in our ranks.
Should there be anything we can do please do not hesitate to let us know; that after all is the last we can endeavor to accomplish in view of the splendid example set by those who have gone on ahead. Our mission remains the same, to carry the torch onward and upward. God bless you and keep you in these troublesome times.
Sincerely,
Capt. L. F. Howell
USMC.R.
The Carroll News, Hillsville, VA
Thursday, May 24, 1945; page 5
The following letter was received by Mr. James P. Branscome, father of Walton Branscome, who was killed on Iwo Jima.
Dear Mr. Branscome,
Knowing at the outset there is little I can say that will atone for your tremendous loss, the friends of Walton can only attempt to share with you in this, your hour of bereavement. It is not within my power to reason why God chose one of our comrades to go, others to remain in this, the most hotly contested of all Marine campaigns for every company commander prays that he will be able to bring all his members of his command through safely. Not having been able to fulfill the impossible, at least you will be proud to know your son died an extraordinarily brave man in keeping with the highest Marine Corps traditions. For on February 21st he was mortally hit while charging an enemy pillbox. His assistant B A R man Lionel Carejo's weapon jammed, so Walton diverted the enemys attention to permit the former to reload his rifle. Such unselfish action that cost him his life was in keeping with his entire outlook, a capable leader, universally liked and an inspiration to the members of his platoon. Undoubtedly, his next life, like this one, will be a full and happy one though we will never be able to fill the gap he has left in our ranks.
Should there be anything we can do please do not hesitate to let us know; that after all is the last we can endeavor to accomplish in view of the splendid example set by those who have gone on ahead. Our mission remains the same, to carry the torch onward and upward. God bless you and keep you in these troublesome times.
Sincerely,
Capt. L. F. Howell
USMC.R.
The Carroll News, Hillsville, VA
Thursday, May 24, 1945; page 5
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