Stanforth, David Earl F2
947 08 90

Aledo, Illinois
RR #1
Aug. 29, 1945

   handwritten note Rec 10/27/45 McVay

Captain Charles McVay.
U.S.S. Indianapolis
c/o Post Master
San Francisco, Cal.

Dear Sir,

After reading over the newspaper articles concerning the terrible disaster of the Indianapolis I decided I would write to you concerning my brother. Perhaps you haven't any idea of what may have happen to him and again you may remember some thing encouraging about him.
My brother David E Stanforth F2c is listed as missing. We're all hoping for the best! Perhaps you could tell us something that would give us real hope of his returning or that we shouldn't build up our hopes for a great let down.
Is it possible that some of these men could have drifted ashore on an island and not yet been discovered or were they too far out at sea?
If you would please take time to answer my letter your effort will be greatly appreciated. I know any word would relieve our minds, especially that of my father who is a patient of the T.B. Sanatorium of Ottawa Ill.
As you know he has plenty of time to think and it will not improve his condition worrying over Dave.
Also word of any kind would help my brothers in service. I have two brothers of aboard ship in the South Pacific. One brother in training at Fort Belvoir, VA
I do realize, Sir, that you must be receiving many letters of this kind but through your kindness you can help relieve many heavy saddened hearts.
In great appreciation I remain,

Sincerely yours,
Mrs William Cole
Aledo Illinois
RR #1

P.S. May I add too that David has a wife and son who needs encouragement to carry on during this period of waiting.

Pers-8249-LK

STANFORTH, David Earl, F2c, USNR, 947 08 90

October 31, 1945

My dear Mrs. Cole,

Your letter of August 29th concerning your brother, David Earl Stanforth, Fireman second class, United States Naval Reserve, has just reached me here in the Bureau of Naval Personnel where I have been on temporary duty since my return from Guam the middle of last month.

I regret that I can add nothing to my letter of September 29th addressed to your brother's wife at Delong, Illinois, which I trust reached her after your letter to me was written.

It is difficult I know for you to understand why we can not furnish more information. However, when it is realized the ship sank in the middle of the night in a very short time and that no records whatsoever were saved that may explain our difficulty in piecing together a coherent story.

May I again express my heartfelt sympathy.

Very sincerely,

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

Mrs. William Cole
R.R. #1
Aledo, Illinois