Thomsen, Arthur August

August 29, 1945

Capt. Charles B. McVay 3d
U. S. S. Indianapolis
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

Dear Sir:

I am writing for the family of Pfc. Arthur Thomsen, U.S.M.C. detachment aboard the Indianapolis, and who duties included those of Captain's orderly.

They would like so much to know if he had been on duty at the time the Indianapolis was lost; if it were possible for you to recall any detail regarding him as we understood he had the 8-12 watch.

We fully realize what a great favor we ask, but would be grateful for any information you may be able to give us.

Yours very sincerely,
Mrs. H Benthin (niece)

Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Thomsen
Route 1
Atalissa, Iowa

Pers-8249-LK

October 31, 1945

My dear Mrs. Benthin,

Your letter of August 29th concerning your cousin, Pfc. Arthur Thomsen, United States Marine Corps, has just reached me here in the Bureau of Naval Personnel where I have been on temporary duty since my return from Guam last month.

I regret there is nothing I can add to the information contained in my letter of September 28th addressed to the parents of Pfc. Thomsen.

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 express my heartfelt sympathy,

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

Mrs. H. A. Benthin
704 S. Villa Avenue
Villa Park, Illinois