On October 17, 1944, 19 days after the mid-air collision between the Lead Banana and Lazy Daisy, Major General J. A. Ulio sent the following letter to the parents of George Edwin Farrar:

October 17, 1944

War Department

The Adjutant General’s Office

Washington 25, D.C.

In Reply Refer To:

AG 201 Farrar, George E.

PC- N ET0214

Mrs. Raleigh Mae Farrar

79 EastLake Terrace, Northeast

Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Mrs. Farrar:

This letter is to confirm my recent telegram in which you were regretfully informed that your son, Staff Sergeant George E. Farrar, 14,119,873, Air Corps, has been reported missing in action over Germany since 28 September 1944.

I know that added distress is caused by failure to receive more information or details.  Therefore, I wish to assure you that at any time additional information is received it will be transmitted to you without delay, and, if in the meantime no additional information is received I will again communicate with you at the expiration of three months.  Also, it is the policy of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces upon receipt of the “Missing Air Crew Report” to convey to you any details that might be contained in that report.

The term “missing in action” is used only to indicate that the whereabouts or status of an individual is not immediately known.  It is not intended to convey the impression that the case is closed.  I wish to emphasize that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel.  Under war conditions this is a difficult task as you must readily realize.  Experience has shown that many persons reported missing in action are subsequently reported as prisoners of war, but as this information is furnished by countries with which we are at war, the War Department is helpless to expedite such reports.  However, to relieve financial worry, Congress has enacted legislation which continues in force the pay, allowances and allotments to dependents of personnel being carried in a missing status.

Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty.

Sincerely yours,

J. A. Ulio

Major General

The Adjutant General

© Cindy Farrar Bryan and The Arrowhead Club, 2014