I was 2 1/2 years old when I attended the graveside service for my grandfather, Edward Kent Chesney, who died May 23, 1945. I distinctly remember standing at the back of a big tent with my older brother and sister during the service, when someone entered the tent and said something to whoever was presiding. Then the announcement was made to the whole family gathered that day: Neal Chesney, had been killed in action. EDITED: 05.06.2021 See the bottom* of this post for more of what I've learned since my original post in 2014.
Edward Neal Chesney was the only son of Everett Mize and Ruth Lenora Craig Chesney.
The following is a transcribed letter from my grandmother, Clara Louise Reynolds Morgan Wheeler, written to my father when he was in the Navy during WWII:
December 26, 1944
South San Antonio Texas
George:
Thought I may be able to say “so much” this morning that will be so lovely to tell, as it will be to read! We were thinking of you so much all Christmas Day! And we do trust by another Christmas, you dear boys can be HOME! ... one somewhere on the Pacific! and one in India!
...On Sunday, Mrs. Chesney (Everett’s wife) was at church, and her son, Neal! Neal is stationed at Camp Hood here in Texas, and had three days leave, and came here and his mother met him! (Mean at Isabelle’s). He had to leave Christmas Day (about eleven o’clock I think) so they had to have their dinner early and they did, and when coming from the depot, Elmer, Isabelle, Bernice (Mize) “Ruth”, and Tommy, came by and spent a while with us, and we were so glad to have them! Luckily, I had fixed some tangerines, (we raised here at our back door) with a box of marsh-mallows the day before, and they were delicious! and what a treat they were they thought, and we sat down in our kitchen (at the little table that had the lovely cloth and napkins on it that Ruth had given me for Mother’s Day) and we ate tangerines and fruit-cake, with pecans “served” with WATER! Oh we had such a lovely time! And I had some pecans that were too large for the nut-cracker, and I gave them to “Ruth”.
If it only made her heart a little light after telling her boy good-bye, I’m only too glad.
Neal was killed in action at Luzon, April 30, 1945, a few months after this letter was written (and this letter may recount what was the last time his mother saw him before he reported for duty). The telegram from the Secretary of War, informing his parents of Neal’s death arrived, May 25th, 1945, precisely during his grandfather's interment. The memory of this unusual circumstance stayed with every member of the Chesney family present at that funeral -- including me, even though I was only 2 ½ at the time. None of us has ever mentioned Grandpa Chesney’s funeral without also mentioning, almost in the same breath, the tragic news that was delivered that day. Neal was the only member of our family who lost his life due to WWII.
Please note that Neal's mother is the "Ruth" mentioned in Clara's letter, not my mother.
Neal's headstone is actually the back of his parent's marker. I do not know if his body was recovered.
EDITED 06.05.2021: I have learned since posting this information that what I thought was a cenotaph on the back of his parents headstone, is in fact his epitaph. Neal's body was repatriated when the cemetery where he was buried in the Philippines (Santa Barbara American Cemetery, Luzon, P.I.) was decommissioned and the bodies were sent to the Manila American Cemetery to be either repatriated or re-interred.
I've also discovered his WWII hospital Admission Card (NAI:
570973) held in
Records of the Office of the Surgeon General (Army), 1775 - 1994.
Record Group 12. The National Archives at College Park, MD. USA. This record describes his mortal wound was inflicted by a rifle bullet in the neck, most likely inflicted by a sniper hiding in the many caves on Hill 508 during the
Luzon Campaign on the Villa Verde Trail.
The inscription reads:
EDWARD NEAL
BORN, NATOMA, KANS. NOV. 3, 1924
KILLED IN ACTION, LUZON, P.I.
APRIL 30, 1945
32ND DIV. U.S. ARMY
SON OF EVERETT & RUTH CHESNEY
This is the "Ruptured Duck" emblem awarded to WWII military personnel. Notice that it is anchored in the footing of the headstone above.
*Killed in action April 30, 1945 on Luzon Island, Philippians
According to his obituary in the July 19, 1945, Natoma Independent, I was with my parents at his memorial service in Natoma, KS.
From the Natoma Independent, May 31, 1945, Natoma, Kansas
Neal Chesney Killed in Action
Another name was added to the list of hero dead when Pfc. Edward Neal Chesney, 20-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Chesney of Natoma, was killed in action April 30 on Luzon Island. Word to this effect was received by his parents last Friday from the war department. Neal graduated from Natoma high school with the class of 1942. He later attended the state college at Hays, and entered military service at Ft. Leavenworth, Sept. 12,1944. After taking his basic training at Camp Hood, Texas, he was home on a short furlough, then reported at Camp Ord, Calif., Jan. 25 of this year. Going on to the island of Leyte he was assigned to duty on Luzon with the 32nd Infantry Division. …Further word concerning him is promised by the war department.
* from the Natoma Independent, no date on photocopy, original paper is available
Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Chesney of Natoma have received several letters of condolence from military and national leaders, following the death of their son, Pfc Edward Neal Chesney, which occurred on Luzon Island April 30. Included is a letter from General Douglas MacArthur, signed by him personally, one from Chief of Staff General Marshall, letter from Senators Arthur Caper and Clyde Reed, and also a letter from Henry L. Stimson, Secretary of War, notifying them that their son has been awarded posthumously the Purple Heart.
My Dear Mr. Chesney: The President has requested me to inform you that the Purple Heart has been awarded posthumously to your son, Private First Class Edward N. Chesney, Infantry, who sacrificed his life in defense of his country. The medal, which you will receive shortly is of slight intrinsic value, but rich with the tradition for which Americans are so gallantly giving their lives. The Father of our country, whose profile and coat of arms adorn the medal, speaks from it across the centuries to the men who fight today for the proud freedom he founded. Nothing the War Department can do or say will in any sense repair the loss of your loved one. He has gone, however, in honor and the goodly company of patriots. Let me, in communicating to you the country's deep sympathy, also express to you its gratitude for his valor and devotion. Please believe me,
Sincerely Yours,
Henry L. Stimson
Page 1 of The Natoma Independent, published in Natoma, Kansas on Thursday, July 19th, 1945 (click to enlarge)
This photo was kept in the family and is now in the possession of Allen Neal Munsell, son of Beth Louise Chesney, one of Edward Neal Chesney's sisters.
Neal was re-intered in family plot 22 Aug 1948
Sung at the re-interment ceremony:
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