Iowa
Old Press
The Bayard News
Bayard, Guthrie co. Iowa
Thursday, January 6, 1944
Letters Shed Light on Jack Stiles’ Fate - War
Department and Roommate Write to Parents of Missing Flyer
Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Stiles have received two letters
recently which added greatly to their anxiety over the fate of
their son, First Lieutenant, John D. Stiles, who has been
reported as missing in action since July 10, last year. One of
the letters came from the office of the quartermaster general,
Army services forces, War Department, Washington D.C. and was as
follows:
From War Department, January 1, 1944
R. F. D. Bagley, Iowa
My Dear Mr. Stiles:
Word has reached this office that you have been notified by the
office of the adjutant General of the Army that your son, First
Lieutenant John D. Stiles, is missing in action, a situation that
calls forth one’s sincerest sympathy.
A report has been received that among those buried in that area
where your son was known to operate, was a man who was wearing a
gold ring that was engraved, “Virginia—Johnny 2-12-43”
The purpose of this letter is to inquire if you know whether your
son owned such a ring, or, in case you do not know, if you could
refer us to someone who might be able to inform us.
It is the desire of this office to relieve the uncertainty of the
soldier’s loved ones in such cases as yours, and should we
be successful in our task, you will be advised.
For the Quartermaster General, Sincerely yours, R. P. Harbold,
Colonel, Q.M.C. Assistant
Jack’s wife gave him a ring the day they were married and it
was inscribed as the one mentioned in the letter.
The Second Letter
The second letter was written by Jack’s roommate, Lt. Gordon
Bingham, and it shed some light upon his activities the night of
the fateful raid over Sicily. The letter which is self
explanatory follows:
October 23, 1943, Sicily
Mr. M. L. Stiles
Bagley, Iowa
Dear Sir:
Before me lies your letter and your wife’s which were sent
the first part of September, but I am completely at a loss how to
answer them. Although we are free to divulge the events of those
nights, there is so very little that I actually know. However,
let me tell you what information I do have. Perhaps, it contains
what you desire.
Night of July 9
On the night of July 9th, Troop Carriers in conjunction with
ground and naval units launched the invasion of Sicily. Our part
consisted of carrying the paratroop battalions, which would make
the first inroads into enemy territory. We had worked long and
hard for this night and were all anxious to go, but I don’t
believe anyone was any more anxious than John. Our formation was
scheduled, and he drew the right wing in the last element of our
squadron. By ten-thirty we were in the air, circling the field to
assemble the formation, and shortly there after we set out for
the target. Skirting Pantellaria we made our approach to Sicily
from the south and east. Up to that time everything was going
well. The formation was good, we were approaching on time, and
everything looked in our favor. But when we made landfall we
could see the scattered fire from the enemy guns and knew that
trouble was ahead. However, we kept our course and proceeded to
our dropping point in perfect formation—That was the last
anyone saw of John’s plane because after we dropped the men
we broke formation and came home individually.
John was among several in the group who did not return that
night, and for several weeks thereafter we knew nothing. But then
the squadron received word that the body of Lt. Ralph, John’s
co-pilot, had been found.
STILES (continued on Page 4, column 5)
[Transcriber note: Unfortunately on page 4 the microfilm of this
newspaper issue is so blurred that nothing can be read, except…at
the end of this letter in column five, the signature reads:
Most Sincerely, Gordon Bingham
[transcribed by L.Z., August 2017]