"...a thousand unanswered questions in our hearts"

    My father writes to the Lieutenant in the Jeep with Joe in an effort to learn about Joe's last days on earth.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       62 Interboro Parkway

                                                                             Brooklyn, 7, N.Y.

                                                                             Feb 4, 1952 

Lt. Paul Zinsky 0977219

Co. A, 38 Inf. Reg.

2^nd Inf. Division

APO 248 c/o Postmaster

San Francisco, Calif.

Dear Paul,

For some time now, I have intended to write to you but many little demands of everyday affairs prevented me from getting around to it.  However the sad events of the last few days reminded me of the promise I made to write to you about my wife’s brother, the late Lt. Joseph T. O’Donnell.

First let me thank you in the name of Joe’s wife, parents, and sisters for the thoughtful note you sent at Christmas time.  You will shortly hear from Marie directly on this matter.  In your letter you offered to visit Marie when you come home again.  We want to accept that offer with thanks.  In fact, there is no one more welcome than yourself.   In one of Joe’s last letters he told of meeting you.  On 14 November REV. Capt. James R. Meder wrote to us about meeting Joe and yourself.   He wrote; “He (Joe) and another officer, Lt. Paul Zinsky, had arrived at the regiment just the day before, (Oct. 6) and were on their way to the first battalion to which both of them were assigned.  As I was going past their unit, Joseph and Paul rode along in my Jeep. It was quite a long ride, which took us over a rather high mountain pass, so there was ample time to get acquainted.”  Father Meder then tells about the action near Hondang-ni.

So you see, Paul, I am very anxious to meet you.  It almost seems as though I know you already.  I suppose it is not difficult to understand how urgently we feel the need to talk to someone who was with Joe during the last few days of his life.  We have a thousand unanswered questions in our hearts, and if by your coming, only one is answered, you will have rendered us a very great service.

Shortly after the last war, Joe went to the home of one of the men in his unit who was a casualty during the battle of the bulge.  That evening I was with Joe and he explained how warmly he was received.  Although Joe pondered the advisability of this move for some time, there was no doubt that both he and the family benefited from it.

I am enclosing a clipping from the local newspaper.  It explains the “Sad event” mentioned above.

I know how busy you must be Paul, but if you find a little time we would appreciate hearing from you.  Perhaps you might be able to talk to some of the men of the first platoon who were with Joe on 13 October.  I wonder how Joe’s replacement and his men made out in subsequent engagements.  In fact, any news about the 38^th, especially Co. A will be most welcome.

I want to thank you in advance for any time or effort you might spend in our behalf.

If there is anything I can do for you please let me know.  Be assured that a petition for your safe return is included in our family prayers.

                                               Sincerely yours                                                                                                                                          Charles A. Fries