Dear Mrs. Knisley: I wish to confirm my recent telegram announcing the death of your son, Corporal Donald P. Knisley, 15,017,071, Coast Artillery, in Hoten Camp, Asiatic Area. The official report received through the International Red Cross from the Japanese Government states that your son, previously reported a "prisoner of war" died of acute enteritis (inflammation of the intestines). I deeply regret that the message did not give the date of his death, the date and place of burial or any other related particulars. Please be assured, that when additional information is received you will be notified promptly. I extend my deep sympathy. Sincerely yours J. A. Ulio Major General The Adjutant General.
Letter from the War Department dated May 27th 1943
Dear Mrs. Knisley: Reference is made to the telegram of May 6, 1943, and the letter of May 10, 1943, regarding the death of your son, Corporal Donald P. Knisley, 15,017,071, Coast Artillery, in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp. The efforts of the International Red Cross to obtain more information from the Japanese Government have not been successful. However, I am able to report to you that he died of acute enteritis in Hoten Camp, Mukden, Manchukuo. The War Department regards him as being dead from the date of dispatch of the reporting message. The reporting message on your son was dated May 3, 1943, and therefore, this date has been entered on the records of the War Department as the date of his death. May the thought that he gave his life for his country as unselfishly and heroically as if he had died on the field of battle, be a source of sustaining comfort to you. I extend my deep sympathy. Sincerely yours, H. B. Lewis Brigadier General, Acting The Adjutant General.
Letter from the War Department dated September 12th 1945. The letter is actually signed by Edward Witsell Major General:
Dear Mrs. Knisley: I am writing you relative to the communication from this office in which you were regretfully informed that your son, Corporal Donald P. Knisley, 15, 017,071 Coast Guard, died as a result of acute enteritis. The distress you have suffered since you received the sad announcement of his death is most understandable. As stated in my previous letter, the initial report received in his case disclosed that he died in a Prisoner of War camp in Mukden, Manchukuo, but failed to give the exact date of his death. With the capitulation of Japan, authentic information has become available which reveals that his death occurred on 23 November 1942, as a result of primary diphtheria. The records of this office have been amended accordingly. The issuance of this official report of his death will not affect any payment or settlement of account which has been made on the basis of the previous report. These conflicting reports are regretted but I feel confident that you will understand the difficulties encountered when receiving reports from enemy governments. My continued sympathy is with you in the great loss you have sustained. Sincerely yours, Edward F. Witsell Major General Acting The Adjutant General of the Army.
Dear Mrs. Knisley: I wish to confirm my recent telegram announcing the death of your son, Corporal Donald P. Knisley, 15,017,071, Coast Artillery, in Hoten Camp, Asiatic Area. The official report received through the International Red Cross from the Japanese Government states that your son, previously reported a "prisoner of war" died of acute enteritis (inflammation of the intestines). I deeply regret that the message did not give the date of his death, the date and place of burial or any other related particulars. Please be assured, that when additional information is received you will be notified promptly. I extend my deep sympathy. Sincerely yours J. A. Ulio Major General The Adjutant General.
Letter from the War Department dated May 27th 1943
Dear Mrs. Knisley: Reference is made to the telegram of May 6, 1943, and the letter of May 10, 1943, regarding the death of your son, Corporal Donald P. Knisley, 15,017,071, Coast Artillery, in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp. The efforts of the International Red Cross to obtain more information from the Japanese Government have not been successful. However, I am able to report to you that he died of acute enteritis in Hoten Camp, Mukden, Manchukuo. The War Department regards him as being dead from the date of dispatch of the reporting message. The reporting message on your son was dated May 3, 1943, and therefore, this date has been entered on the records of the War Department as the date of his death. May the thought that he gave his life for his country as unselfishly and heroically as if he had died on the field of battle, be a source of sustaining comfort to you. I extend my deep sympathy. Sincerely yours, H. B. Lewis Brigadier General, Acting The Adjutant General.
Letter from the War Department dated September 12th 1945. The letter is actually signed by Edward Witsell Major General:
Dear Mrs. Knisley: I am writing you relative to the communication from this office in which you were regretfully informed that your son, Corporal Donald P. Knisley, 15, 017,071 Coast Guard, died as a result of acute enteritis. The distress you have suffered since you received the sad announcement of his death is most understandable. As stated in my previous letter, the initial report received in his case disclosed that he died in a Prisoner of War camp in Mukden, Manchukuo, but failed to give the exact date of his death. With the capitulation of Japan, authentic information has become available which reveals that his death occurred on 23 November 1942, as a result of primary diphtheria. The records of this office have been amended accordingly. The issuance of this official report of his death will not affect any payment or settlement of account which has been made on the basis of the previous report. These conflicting reports are regretted but I feel confident that you will understand the difficulties encountered when receiving reports from enemy governments. My continued sympathy is with you in the great loss you have sustained. Sincerely yours, Edward F. Witsell Major General Acting The Adjutant General of the Army.
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