FURTHER NEWS OF HUSBAND'S DEATH

WALLENTINE, MCKANE

Posted By: Rich Lowe
Date: 6/13/2025 at 08:42:08

MRS. WALLENTINE HEARS
FURTHER NEWS OF
HUSBAND'S DEATH

Mrs. Dale Wallentine of Bonaparte has now received additional word pertaining to her husband's death in France November 29, 1944, in the form of a letter from a close friend of Dale's, S/Sgt. Francis McKane. The only word previously was a telegram which came to her December 16th followed by a letter from the Adjutant General confirming the telegram and adding only that death was due to an accidental gun shot wound.

Sgt. McKane was with Dale at the time of the accident and stayed with him until his death a few minutes later. Part of his letter is as follows: "We were loading on the truck in preparation to moving up.
As Dale climbed aboard he drew his rifle up toward him barrel first.

Evidently the trigger caught on some object and fired a shot directly through his right breast. We immediately carried him from the truck into a building. By coincidence, at this time an ambulance and some medics were passing by so we flagged them down and they took over administering first aid.

"We then placed Dale on a stretcher and carried him to the waiting ambulance. As he was placed in the ambulance I noticed a quick change come over his face. I believe it was then he died. All this took place in a period of about five minutes.

"Believe me, this is the hardest letter I have ever had to write. Dale was one of my closest and best friends. Also one of the best men I have ever had working with me. As you know, we had been together a long time and I really thought a lot of him."

Sgt. McKane then added that Dale was conscious and talked to him until placed on the stretcher, He also said that Dale did not seem to think he was seriously injured as he did not suffer much pain.

Tri-County News, Farmington, IA date unknown