Mergler, Charles M. RDM2
658 94 45

Nov 29 - 45
Richmond 23 VA

Captain C. B. McVay:
I am writting to ask you will you please send me some address from the boys that was picked up from the Indianapolis ship. I am Charles Mergler Rdm 2c mother Mrs Howard Carbaugh I am nearly crazy about Charles. Mabey he was picked up by some other ship and maybe he was out of his mind and didn't even know his name or anything. And I thought some of these boys might know something about Charles please write and let me hear from some of them. This is the worst I ever heard of loosing all these boys if you had a convoy with you all we could have saved lots of our boys. It worries me to death to think right at the last and this had to happen. I can't understand how you got without a scratch on you. Leaving us mothers to worry our selves to death.
Just think the lives we lost in that one ship and waited all that time before any of the boys was picked up and most of them was crazy. And if you know any of these boys please send me some of their address.
You're truly Charles Mergler Mother
Mrs Howard Carbaugh
2608 East Clay St
Richmond 23 VA

Pers-8249-LK

December 13, 1945

My dear Mrs. Carbaugh,

Your letter of November 29, 1945 concerning your son Charles Mergler, Radioman second class, reached me several days ago.

I am forwarding a list of survivors as you requested.

Very Sincerely,

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

Mrs. Howard Carbaugh
2608 E. Clay Street
Richmond 23, Virginia