WW2 Letter Sent by Major General notifying a father that his son is missing in action in the Philippine Islands

[Heartfeltzero]

The letter is dated May 7th, 1943. But it states that he was missing since May 7th 1942. So I’m guessing the parents at some point stopping hearing from their son which led them to inquire about him when they were told he was missing in action.


The letter reads :

“Dear Mr. Fincket

The records of the War Department show your son, Sergmant Herbert C. Fincke, 20,842,944, Coast Artillery Corps, missing in action in the Philippine Islands since May 7, 1942.

All available information concerning your son has been carefully considered and under the provisions of Public Law 490, 77th Congress, as amended, an official determination has been made continuing him on the records of the War Department in a missing status. The Law cited provides that pay and allowances are to be credited to the missing person's account and payment of allotments to authorized allottees are to be continued during the absence of such persons in a missing status.

I fully appreciate your concern and deep interest. You will, with out further request on your part, receive immediate notification of any change in your son's status. I regret that the far-flung operations of of the present war, the ebb and flow of combat over great distances in isolated areas, and the characteristics of our enemies impose upon some of us this heavy burden of uncertainty with respect to the safety of our loved ones.

Very truly yours,

J. A. ULIO Major General,

The Adjutant General”

Further research shows that he was with the 200th Coast Artillery. They were sent to the Philippines in 1941. They were there when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The 200th CA surrendered to the Japanese 14th Army on April 9th 1942. Elements of the unit were forced by the Japanese to march into captivity in the Bataan Death March. So it’s likely he was killed while that was happening.

[MAP]

A sad story unfortunately for many who were captured in the Philippines.

[Danmark]

A sad story unfortunately for many who were captured in the Philippines.

....... and so terribly "official" in its tone.

[MAP]

....... and so terribly "official" in its tone.

And would we expect any less from what is essentially a Human Resources Admin?

[Danmark]

.....often referred to as 'Human Remains' department!!

[Rakkasan187]

I may have the 200th Coast Artillery Unit History.

When I have some time I will look and see if I do and if it lists SGT Fincke in one of the units. There may also be a photo of him.

Smitty

[MilitariaOne]

Greetings,

Here's his image (likely, from his High School yearbook), his obituary, and an excerpt from a hospitalization in July '42 for Malaria. Likely, between the Japanese treatment and the malaria he did not stand much of a chance in captivity. His death is officially categorized as "DNB" Died Non Battle" injuries. Based upon his headstone's 1949 application date, his remains were later repatriated and buried in Albuquerque, NM.

Sincerely,

Lance

Double click on images to enlarge.

[Heartfeltzero]

Thank you for all the additional information and photos!!

[Rakkasan187]

I was able to look in a book that had some photos of the 200th CA.

They have a Sgt Herbert C. Finckle listed in Battery B. Very strong chance this was a typo in the book as it wasn't an official publication. It was compiled by the son of a man who knew many of the Bataan POWs so there may be some missing data and information.

I highlighted in yellow on the far left where the names of the SGTS started and then underlined SGT Herbert C. Finckle

Hope this helps

Smitty

[Rich Moran]

Such a sad ending story.

What amazes me is how selfless the men and women were and yet are to serve America, their dedication and full and final total commitment has gotten lost in history and education is schools in America.

Their stories of how they selflessly served should be mandated to understand and to be taught to the young people who are in middle school and high school.

Their history taught should go all the way back to the American Revolution and each student assigned names through the course of the year to write and read reports of what happened.

Their loss should never be forgotten as these days with historical records that abound, they yet are being left behind & for most, forgotten.