PURPLE HEART
Mrs. Opal M. Babcock, 1402 Avenue J, widow of Pvt. Victor R. Babcock, received the following letter from Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, notifying her of the posthumous awarding of the Purple Heart.
“My Dear Mrs. Babcock:
“At the request of the President, I write to inform you that the Purple Heart has been awarded posthumously to your husband, Pvt. Victor R. Babcock, infantry, who sacrificed his life in defense of his country.
“Little that we can do or say will console you for the death of your loved on. We profoundly appreciate the greatness of your loss, for in a very real sense the loss suffered by any of us in this battle for our country is a loss shared by all of us. When the medal which you will shortly receive reaches you, I want you to know that with it goes my sincerest sympathy, and the hope that time and the victory of our cause will finally lighten the burden or your grief.
“Sincerely yours,
HENRY L. STIMSON.”
Pvt. Babcock lost his life in action in the South Pacific theater of war.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Sunday, October 03, 1943, Page 17
Victor Ross Babcock was born Nov. 14, 1908 to Edwin and Martha Mellor Babcock. He died July 25, 1943 and is buried in Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines.
Pvt. Babcock served in World War II with the U.S. Army 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division and was KIA in the Southwest Pacific area and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com
