I am delighted to have people reading it. Blacks in the Navy and Army did not have an easy time and recognition has been delayed. Thank you for posting.

Thank you for asking that question! I didn’t know the answer, but I’ve found what you are looking for.

Dorie Miller spent his entire time in the South Pacific serving on battleships, so he had no experience with foxholes. However, Henry Ellis Stewart (1923-2003), a member of the Golden West Cowboys band served in the Army in the South Pacific, eventually attaining the rank of sergeant. Known as Redd, he composed a song, “Soldier’s Last Letter,” that he sent back to the States while he was still overseas. The song made its way to Ernest Tubb whose band the Texas Troubadours played at the Grand Ole Opry.

“Soldier’s Last Letter” was a huge hit in 1944. That year, it was the #1 country hit for four weeks and spent seven months on the Top 40 chart. The lyrics express what every family worried about during World War II (and actually in every war):

When the postman delivered the letter
Well, it filled her old heart full of joy
But she didn’t know ’til she read the inside
It was the last one from her darling boy

“Dear Mom,” was the way that it started
“I miss you so much,” it went on
“And, Mom, I didn’t know that I loved you so
But I’ll prove it when this war is won”

“I’m writing this down in a trench, Mom
So don’t scold if it isn’t so neat
For you know as you did, when I was a kid
And would come home with mud on my feet”

“Well, the captain just gave us our orders
And mom we will carry them through
I’ll finish this letter the first chance I get
But for now I’ll just say I love you.”

Then the mother’s old hands began to tremble
As she fought against tears in her eyes
For they came unashamed, there was no name
And she knew that her darlin’ had died

That night as she knelt by her bedside
She prayed, “Lord above, hear my plea
Protect all the sons that are fighting tonight
And dear God keep America free”…

Redd Stewart did come home, but of course, so many of the military did not. Stewart went on to provide songs for Jim Reeves, Roy Acuff, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many other recording artists. “Tennessee Waltz” and “You Belong to Me” were among his biggest hits.

Heartbreaking…thank you for asking as it is a great reminder of all we need to work for to keep this country great.

You are so right! Thank you for posting.

Yes, thank you for that added information. You are absolutely right. It was a devastating attack.

From the area,of his battle station Miller proceed to “Times Square”, the location where the main fore to aft and port to starboard passageways intersected. It was here Miller was then assigned to help evacuate the wounded from the area of the bridge.