Hayes, Charles David, LCDR
195739

USS Alaska

August 12, 1945

Dear Sir
Charles Hayes is one of my closest friends so I believe that you can appreciate my anxiety.

I've followed the dispatches closely but none concerned him. I would appreciate it a great deal if you would advise as to his status.

I feel that you will understand that I cannot write Barbara Hayes or his family and I'd rather not go through the delay attendant with such a request via Beepers.

All hands aboard this ship were saddened by your loss and I'm sure such is the sentiment throughout the service. In view of present events and your experience at Okinawa, I can well appreciate how doubly difficult it is for you to suffer such a loss. May I therefore offer my sincere condolence.

Respectfully
Lynn A. White
Lieut. USNR

Pers-8249-mjw

3 October 1945

Lieutenant Lynn A. White, U.S.N.R.
U.S.S. ALASKA (CB-1)
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

Dear White:

Your letter of 12 August 1945 concerning Charlie Hayes has just been brought to my attention and I am sorry that it did not reach me sooner.

Charlie's room was forward in the part of where we believe one of the explosions occurred and I believe he was killed instantly as no one saw him at any time.

As you may know Charlie was one of my best friends and it was an added shock to me to learn he was not among the survivors. He was a fine officer and his loss is mourned by all those who remain.

I have seen and talked with Barbara and Charlie's brother Jack - both have been officially notified that Charlie was killed in action and are holding up well under this great loss - Barbara in particular has shown great courage.

Thank you for your expression of sympathy.

Very sincerely,

CHAS. B. MCVAY, III Captain, U. S. Navy