Letter from the Chaplain - Joe’s 1st and last Communion

HEADQUARTERS

38^th INFANTRY REGIMENT

APO 248, c/o Postmaster

San Francisco, California

                                                                                       14 November 1951

Mrs. Marie O’Donnell

73 Linden Street

Brooklyn, New York

Dear Mrs. O’Donnell:

I write, Mrs. O’Donnell, to express to you my heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your beloved husband, First Lieutenant Joseph O’Donnell, 0-1059578, Company A, 38^th Infantry Regiment.  On 7 October just after Sunday Mass I met Joseph for the first time.  He and another officer, Lieutenant Paul Zinsky, had arrived at the regiment just the day before, and were on the way to the first battalion to which both of them had been 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 that there was ample time to get acquainted.   I told them all that I knew about Korea and the war, while Joe talked mostly of you and the children.   It was easy to see that he loved his family very dearly.

The following Wednesday I offered up Holy Mass in the field for the first battalion, as they were to go on the line the following day.   Joseph attended this Mass and received Holy Communion as well.  The next day Joseph’s unit went into the attack.  Your husband was platoon leader, and though he was with his men only a few days, they had the greatest respect and admiration for him.  This action took place in the vicinity of Mondang-ni, North Korea, on a ridge line, 1,100 meters high.  In this very difficult terrain Joseph personally led two assaults against the enemy.  Both times he came through without being wounded.  Some time later when another platoon needed help, your husband rushed forward to assist them.   As he did so an enemy mortar round exploded not more than a foot or so from Joseph, wounding him in the head.  He died instantly, and thus was spared any prolonged suffering.

Several days after this engagement I was able to say Mass just a few yards from the place where Joseph was killed.  This was offered for all the members of Company A, who had given their lives in that action.

You should make a sincere effort, Mrs. O’Donnell not to let bitterness take possession of your heart in your loss of such a brave and good husband.  Joseph would want you, I am sure, to be brave and courageous for the sake of your children and his.  They are the greatest heritage he has left you.   If at times your burden of sorrow seems too heavy lean heavily on Our Lord and His Sorrowful Mother for help and consolation.

Should you desire any further information, Mrs. O’Donnell, do not hesitate to write me.

Your husband, Joseph, and all the other brave men of the 38^th Regiment who made the supreme sacrifice, are remembered daily at the altar. May God grant them all eternal rest, and peace and comfort to you in your bereavement.

                                                                                    James R. Meder,

                                                                                    Catholic Chaplain