Haubrich, Cloud David S2
984 48 31

Danube Minn

Sept 10 - 45

Dear Mrs Hensch (Hensch, E. F. LT Surv.)

I was informed that your husband was one of the survivors on the U.S.S. Indianapolis.

My son Cloud D Haubrich S2/c was also on that ship, and was reported missing since.

If your husband by any incident can, when he is able. Tell us something of Clouds disappearance or if there was any chance of some being taken prisoner and where the survivors were taken, we'd be very grateful. We're sorry to bother you in this way, but are so anxious to have more infinite news of him.

Yours truly
Mrs Otto Haubrich
Danube Minnesota
R.1

Sept 14, 1945
Springfield Minnesota

Dear Mrs Haubrich,

Your letter was here when I arrived and I am sorry that your son was not one of the survivors. I did not know him aboard ship but had heard his name several times.

I shall be frank - no prisoners were picked up, that are known of, and since he was not one of the survivors there is little or no chance of his being alive. Many wives and mothers and fathers will continue to hope for good news of those listed as missing but having been there I must say that it is useless for them to do so.

The newspaper stories that I have read about this incident were greatly exaggerated in spots and insinuated that many men died the "hard way". This is untrue. There were comparatively few cases of this kind. Your son being listed as missing, it is liking that he went down with his ship ____ the way any sailor wishes to die if he must die.

In closing I wish to extend my deepest sympathies.

Very sincerely,
E. F. Hensch
(LT)