Campbell, Wayland Dee SF3

Mon. October 1, 1945
Capt. Charles McVay 3.

Dear Commander of the USS Indianapolis,

Received your letter of the 25th of Sept. the 29th. Know you are honest and sincere, about our son Wayland Dee Campbell shipfitter third class USNR believed to have lost his life on June 30 - 45. But we are inclosing [sic]you a picture, taken from "The Grit magazine of Aug. 26" in which we are sure that one of the survivors shown in this picture is our son. We are marking with a cross on the left sleeve now if it is possible we would like for you to investigate the place and date, and names of survivors shown in this picture.

We wrote the managing Editor of this magazine and he said because of censorship he could not give places and sates we are inclosing[sic] a clipping of the address of this paper. We will be very thankful if you will do what you can in this matter. hoping[sic] to hear from you in the future.

respectfully,
Mr. and Mrs. Alph Campbell
Ukemah ola RR#2 Box 30

October 5, 1945

My dear Mr. and Mrs. Campbell,

Your letter of October 1st, enclosing the newspaper clipping shows some of the survivors of the INDIANAPOLIS, reached me to-day [sic].

The picture was taken on the Island of Peleliu the morning of August 6th, when all of us were transferred from the Fleet Hospital there to the hospital ship, U.S.S. TRANQUILITY, which carried us to Base Hospital #18 on Guam.

I was among the survivors on Peleliu and I regret to state that your boy was not there with us.

There is enclosed the newspaper clipping and a copy of the original picture which shows more clearly the features of the man you apparently have mistaken for your boy.

Very sincerely,
CHAS. B. McVay, III
Captain, U. S. Navy

Mr. and Mrs. Alph Campbell
Ukemah, Oklahoma
R. R #2 Box 30