On January 20, 1945 Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn into office for his fourth term as President and Harry Truman was sworn in as Vice President. Across the globe, the Soviet Red Army was advancing into East Prussia, putting more and more pressure on the Germans.
Four days later, Mr. Buslee, the father of the pilot of Lead Banana, again wrote to Raleigh Mae Farrar, the mother of the Banana’s waist gunner. The families of the missing boys were communicating with each other often, quickly passing along any news good or bad.
January 24, 1945
411 Wisner Avenue
Park Ridge, IllinoisDear Mrs. Farrar,
Through Mr. Henson we learned that you have received a card from your son, George. This is indeed wonderful news.
Would like to hear from you as to what kind of a message he sent to you and we sincerely hope that as developments in Europe show such rapid advances by the Russians that it will mean the early closing of the battle over there and so release the prisoners of war so that they may return to their families at a very early date.
We have had no word pertaining to our son, Jay, nor any word from any of the next of kin outside of Mr. Henson and Mr. Stearns who unfortunately did not have very good news. We also have had a very recent letter from Mrs. Bryant and she is trying to keep up her spirits in the hope that her husband is safe and sound.
With every good wish for your continued good health and the hope that all of your boys write you often, I am,
Sincerely yours,
John Buslee
© Cindy Farrar Bryan and The Arrowhead Club, 2014
The Arrowhead Club 