Hears From Son After Boat Lost
Mrs. H. A. Stewart, 220 North First street, glanced at a letter the mailman delivered at her home Wednesday, and before opening to read it she became overjoyed.
She immediately recognized the handwriting on the envelope of that of her son, Water Tender 1/c Francis R. Stewart, member of the crew of the transport McKean, which was sunk Nov. 17 in the battle of Bougainville in the Pacific, and whose welfare was not known.
It was the first word she had about her son. The letter stated that he was in a hospital, recovering from an injury in the shoulder, and he would remain about a month. It did not state his whereabouts.
Wishing his mother a Merry Christmas, Mrs. Stewart said it was the best present of them all.
Francis is a nephew of Capt. Ted Weimer, stationed at the central fire station.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Thursday, December 09, 1943, Page 18
PACIFIC VETERAN HOME on FURLOUGH
Watertender 1/c Francis R. Stewart, member of the crew of the destroyer U. S. S. McKean when it was sunk during the marine invasion of Bougainville [France], is home on a 10-day furlough visiting his mother, Mrs. H. A. Steward, 220 North First Street.
The ship was sunk at night during an attack by Jap bombers on the fourth night of the invasion by the marines. Stewart was wounded during the sinking and was a patient for three months in a naval hospital.
Following his furlough he will report to Bremerton, Wash., for assignment to land duty. He is a nephew of Capt. Ted Weimar of the local fire department.
Source: The Council Bluffs Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Tuesday, April 28, 1944, Page 8
