Telegram & Clippings

Telegram & Clippings

Sailors--Chicopee (Mass.)--Death notice; Sailors--Chicopee (Mass.)--Obituaries; United States. Navy; World War, 1939-1945

A sheet of paper with a telegram, the envelope, and two newspaper clippings attached to it with double-sided tape. All items relate to Francis Ogrodnik's death aboard the USS Witter (DE 636). The telegram, dated April 12 (no year, but we can infer 1945), is the official notification sent to Francis's parents from the Navy to inform them he had been killed in action, and would likely be buried at sea "or in locality of death." The telegram concludes by asking them to not divulge the name of his ship or station "to prevent possible aid to our enemies." It is "signed" by Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs, Chief of Naval Personell [sic]. The clippings on the reverse side have no date or indication of what newspaper they're from. One is an obituary for Francis with a photo of him; the other is a partial clipping titled "List 25 Navy Casualties," which includes Francis Ogrodnik and two other deaths, and is cut off following two wounded.

1945

Ogrodnik Collection

Correspondence; newspaper clippings

1pp

CPL-OGRODNIK-051