Fleshman, Verne S2/c

Sunday P.M.
Sept. 30th, 1945.

Dear Capt. MacVay (sic), III and those who you command.

Your kind and thotful (sic) letter came to us, Sat. and usually I can sit down and write most any kind of a letter, but yours finds me not only at a loss of words, but a quick feeling comes over, me so to speak; I feel my son or rather I feel a sense of nearness, you understand? that something anyway. I have been waiting for; call it contact or whatever you may care to name the reason, but I have read over 50 letters & cards, papers and neighbors and close friends and until yours came I couldn't be sure I mean "Hope burned low; being his Mother, I am quite proud of my son and he rode safely, a dangerous cargo, Fate took him on the return trip". Please accept my small effort to convey my full meaning. And appreciation of your letter.

I am well aware that you may have written hundreds of such letters and many more yet, perhaps, but the first remains I have my assurance at last from the only one left to write me.

Capt. MacVay (sic) his youth and it being his first boat and sea Voyage does hurt me thru & thru, yes, our Blue Star has turned to gold and it had to happen the last week in the War; no doubt you have felt the agony of losing such a number of your Command and seeing such a grand old cruiser go down in a few minutes; Many a night you probably wake up and still see these, "Port hooks" and that potato crate and if all, I have reviewed it from every angle, my clippings came from several states and so far I believe I was privileged to read most of the true account of this tragedy in your life and mine.

Our boy was baptized in the Bethany Baptist Church in K.C. Mo. while on his last visit, and you may realize how I feel about, that he was. saved by water; "Greater Love Hath no man than to give his life that others might live", just a boy, but he died like a man and Capt MacVay (sic) all you and I can do is watch and Pray, for we never know who's next, do we? Christ said he would come again, & he will; the dead shall rise out of the sea also.

Verne's father spent 22 months in World War One in France.

May I close, hoping you are in fair health at this time and able to take up Your Official duties and how I hope your next assignment will sail under a luckier star or may we say a more peaceful ocean.

Would you grant me a very special favor, that is, of course, granting it is in your power; could you locate me a picture of the boat that won that terrible war and took my boy. I want to frame it by his Photo either to hang up or stand near it in our home here.

Again, thank you.

Vernon's mom and dad
Alva L. Fleshman and May Fleshman.

Fleshman Verne
Pers-8249-LK
October 12, 1945

My dear Mr. and Mrs. Fleshman,

Your very kind letter reached me today. I appreciate more than words can express the understanding manner in which you have written.

I am enclosing the picture of the INDIANAPOLIS as you requested.

In closing, may I again express my deepest sympathy to you.

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

Mr. and Mrs. Al Fleshman.
Raymondville, Missouri.