A Family's Grief

On the farm, the Schuman family received a Western Union telegram dated March 6, 1945, and two more letters dated March 10 and March, 1945 followed. This was the first correspondence they received since being notified four months earlier that their son was missing in action. The telegram told of their son's demise, which devastated Minnie and William, and certainly wasn't the news they had waited four months to hear.

March 21, 1945 ended the Rhineland Campaign, and while allied forces had already freed Donald, his family was bereaving their loss. William and Minnie placed Donald's obituary in the newspaper, bought a headstone, and prepared a Mass Service for their beloved son, because they didn't have his body to bury . . . only whispers from an empty coffin. Minnie received the following response to the letter she wrote on March 19.

Every day, a new letter, telegram, or sympathy card arrived from those offering their condolences to the family, making each trip to the mailbox unbearable for Minnie. This time, however, the envelope was larger than most she had received thus far from the Army. Minnie slowly walked back to the house clutching the over-sized envelope. She sat at the kitchen table, then hollered for her husband. "Will, I need you here with me. I don't want to open this alone." William and Minnie sat in silence only a moment before saying a prayer for their son. Minnie's hands were shaking as she hesitatingly opened the envelope revealing its devastating contents. It was their son's Official Death Notice. Tears fell as Minnie began reading aloud:

In grateful memory of Technician Fourth Grade Donald W. Schuman, who died in the service of his country in the European Area, November 30, 1944. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die; that freedom might live and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

William held his wife, then through her tears Minnie told her husband, "Our children are supposed to bury us, Will. We're not supposed to bury our children. Please, Will. Please. I can't bury another one of my children." The day before family and friends were to attend Donald's Mass Service in White Lake, his family received an unexpected telegram from Washington. To Minnie's astonishment, the telegram was informing her that Donald was alive and returned to military control. She stopped for a moment and again read the telegram, believing she may have read it wrong. Minnie ran toward the barn, waving the telegram over her head, hollering hysterically for her husband. "William! William! Oh, my God! William! William!" William came running frantically out of the barn. Minnie fell into her husband's arms. "He's alive, Will! He's alive! Don's alive!" Numerous letters from Washington followed, making Minnie's walk to the mailbox no longer a devastating task.

Expecting a letter from her son, Minnie rushed to the mailbox, and this time, a telegram had arrived from Donald. Clutching the Western Union telegram, Minnie could hardly contain her excitement as she strolled back to the farmhouse. Sitting at the kitchen table, she hollered for William. Minnie opened the envelope and read the telegram aloud.

Minnie quickly flipped the telegram over, looking for additional information from her son. "Anxiety unnecessary? That's it? That's all he wrote?" Minnie began laughing and crying at the same time. "Oh, Don, you've always been a man of few words." Kissing the telegram, Minnie was now sobbing, only this time, they were tears of joy.

Birmingham, England Eventually, the military flew Donald to a hospital in Birmingham, England, where he spent the next six to eight weeks receiving additional medical treatment. Doctors had to stretch his stomach back into shape, the aftermath of starvation while a Prisoner of War. Donald recalled being fed warm ice cream, which he thought was "pretty damn good," until he learned the patient in the bed next to him was eating big juicy steaks every night. After his release from the hospital in Birmingham, the military immediately sent Donald to their training camp not far from the hospital. This is where the military retrained injured soldiers to return to the front line. While on a ten-mile march (double time), Donald fell out, and the Sergeant made fun of him. "What's the matter, Schuman? Can't you take it?" Donald shouted back, "If you had been where I was, you wouldn't be able to take this either!" The Sergeant questioned what he meant by that statement, and Donald explained he had been a recently freed prisoner of war and was still feeling weak. The next thing Donald knew, an emergency vehicle arrived to transport him back to camp with orders to report to the Major's office immediately. Donald met with Executive Officer, Major Arthur I. Davenport, and explained his four-month ordeal as a Prisoner of War. Major Davenport then asked, "Well, son, what the hell are you doing here?" "Sir, I have no idea," was all Donald could say. As a combat veteran himself, Ed could hardly believe his dad was almost sent back to the front line after his liberation and asked, "How could something like that be overlooked?" "Eddie, I have no idea, but I do know the Army instantly arranged for me to join the other newly-liberated prisoners of war at a hotel in London, and boy, were we treated like royalty by the military police." "What kept you going, Pop?" "Well, I started thinking about my life. I mean, I'm just a farm boy from South Dakota, and God spared me. Why? Why did God spare me?" Silence fell over the moment, and then Donald continued. "I've asked myself one hundred times what I could have done differently that would have perhaps saved the lives of my crew, and I can't think of a damn thing." Strangely enough, Ed understood exactly what his dad was feeling, because he, too, suffers from survivor guilt, common among combat veterans who have lived to tell their tale of the traumas of war. Donald went on to say, "I realized there was no point in questioning what God's plans for me were, and I decided to look at my future and thought about your mom." Ed asked, "Did you stay in touch with each other?" "We wrote letters back and forth after I left Camp Polk. I'll tell you something, Eddie. When I saw your mom across the room that first night, I thought she was the prettiest woman on the dance floor." "How did you find my mom once you arrived in London?" "Well, it took some doing, but I found out she was stationed right there in London, and with a little inside help, I was able to contact her." Donald and Muriel reunited and rekindled a brief courtship before marrying on May 3, 1945 at the Church of St. James, in England.

On May 8, 1945, Germany signed an unconditional surrender to WWII, and this day became known as V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day), the day that allied forces officially celebrated the defeat of Nazi Germany. There were multiple parties on V-E Day, and Muriel was one of the judges at the Fancy Dress Children's Party in London. Huge crowds, dressed in red, white, and blue, gathered at Buckingham Palace, cheering as King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, the Prime Minister, and Winston Churchill appeared on the balcony.

WAC Corporal Muriel Schuman continued her military duties in London as a cook for General Eisenhower while Donald returned to the states for a much needed and well-deserved ninety-day leave. Following Germany's surrender, General Eisenhower ordered camera crews to document all evidence of the atrocities in the Nazi death camps, also known as The Holocaust.

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Copyright Kathleen Belfiore Schuman

March 6, 1945 Washington, D.C. Mrs. Minnie Schuman White Lake, South Dakota The Secretary of War asks that I assure you of his deep sympathy in the loss of your son Technician Fourth Grade Donald W. Schuman, who was previously reported missing in action. Report now received states he was killed in action 30 November 1944 in Germany. Confirming letter follows. J. A. Ulio (Signed) Adjutant General

March 10, 1945 War Department The Adjutant Generals Office Washington, D.C. Mrs. Minnie M. Schuman White Lake, South Dakota Dear Mrs. Schuman: It is with profound regret that I confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death of your son, Technician Fourth Grade Donald W. Schuman, who was previously reported missing in action on 30 November 1944 in Germany. An official message has now been received which states that he was killed in action on the date he was previously reported missing in action. Recently, provisions were made whereby there will be sent directly to the emergency addressee or the next of kin a letter containing further information about each person who dies overseas in the service of our country, and if this letter has not already been received, it may be expected soon. I realize the burden of anxiety that has been yours since he was first reported missing in action and deeply regret the sorrow this later report brings you. May the knowledge that he made the supreme sacrifice for his home and country be a source of sustaining comfort. My sympathy is with you in this time of great sorrow. Sincerely yours, J.A. Ulio (Signed) Adjutant General

March 14, 1945 Army Service Forces Headquarters Seventh Service Command Omaha, Nebraska Mrs. Minnie M. Schuman White Lake, South Dakota Dear Mrs. Schuman: The War Department has informed me that your son, Technician Fourth Grade, Donald W. Schuman, has given his life in the performance of his duty. It is therefore with deep sympathy that I address you on behalf of this Command and extend every possible comfort and assistance. You will find a Personal Affairs Officer in your vicinity that is not only willing, but eager to help you. The Personal Affairs Officer located nearest you is Captain Sam C. Barbera, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, and South Dakota. Should you need the services or assistance which Personal Affairs has available, please feel most free to use it. If you have any particular problems or questions and do not find it convenient to contact Captain Barbera, the nearest chapter of the American Red Cross is also available to provide counsel and assistance. If you like, do not hesitate to address this Service Command, Attn: Personal Affairs Officer. I hope that the passing days will bring you comfort and a consoling pride that your son gave up his life to set me free. His name will be an honored one among all who were privileged to know him. Most sincerely yours, C.H. Danielson (Signed) Major General, U.S. Army

On March 19, 1945, the day after Donald's liberation, Minnie sent a letter to the Army wanting to know how her son met his death while defending his country, if the Army found her son's body, if he was buried overseas, and where his personal belongings were. Two days after Donald's liberation, the Schuman family received the following letter from Senator Bushfield.

March 20, 1945 United States Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry Mrs. Minnie M. Schuman White Lake, South Dakota Dear Mrs. Schuman: The War Department has just sent notice to my office that your son Donald W. Schuman has been reported killed in action. This notice is not released by the Department until several weeks after notice has been sent to relatives. No doubt, the Department has already wired you to this effect, but I want to add this word of sympathy in any event. May I express to you my personal and sincere feeling of sympathy? There is little that anyone can say or do at such a time, but I want you to know that all of us who have some loved one in this conflict have a boundless sympathy for each other. I cannot relieve your grief, but I do send you my sympathy. Sincerely yours, Harlan J. Bushfield (Signed) Senator

March 23, 1945 Army Service Forces Headquarters 7th Service Command Omaha, Nebraska Mrs. Minnie M. Schuman White Lake, South Dakota Dear Mrs. Schuman: In reply to your letter of March 19, it is the policy of the War Department that when a soldier is killed in action to have his personal effects inventoried and packaged under the supervision of an officer and sent to the Army Effects Bureau, Kansas City Quartermaster Depot, Kansas City, Missouri. From there, they are sent to the next of kin. Of course, because of the distance involved and the many transportation problems, it often takes longer than one might like to accomplish the return of these effects. If after a reasonable length of time you have heard nothing relative to these personal effects, it is suggested that you direct a letter of inquiry to the above office in Kansas City stating your desires. We regret to inform you that this Headquarters has no additional information as to how your son met his death in defense of his country. It has been the policies of the War Department to have the Commanding Officer and/or Chaplain of a soldier's unit advise the next of kin of such things as how the soldier met his death, place of burial, and services held. If you have not heard from either of these officers, it is suggested that you direct a letter of inquiry to the Commanding Officer or Chaplain and when writing either or both of these officers, merely substitute the word Commanding Officer or Chaplain in place of your son's name and serial number. The rest of the address will be the same as when you wrote your son. Since either or both of these officers were no doubt in the immediate vicinity at the time of your son's death, they will be able to give you more of the information you desire. We hope the above information will be of some assistance to you. If we can help you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, Major C.R. Roderick (Signed)

March 24, 1945 Washington, D.C. Mrs. Minnie M. Schuman The Chief of staff of the Army directs me to inform you your son T/4 Schuman, Donald W., was returned to the United States Army. J.A. Ulio (Signed) Adjutant General March 30, 1945 Washington, D.C. Mrs. Minnie M. Schuman White Lake, South Dakota I am indeed pleased to inform you; report just received stating your son, T/4 Donald W. Schuman was not killed in action as previously reported, but was slightly wounded and found in a German Hospital captured by our forces. J.A. Ulio (Signed) Adjutant General

All well and safe. Anxiety unnecessary. Writing in details. Your son, Donald W. Schuman

4 MEN FROM AREA REPORTED KILLED IN EUROPEAN AREA Washington, D.C. - A War Department casualty list released today listed twelve South Dakotans killed in action in the European area. In all cases, next of kin have been previously notified by the war department. They are: Schuman, Donald W., T/4, son of Mrs. Minnie M. Schuman, White Lake Cordie, George, Pfc, brother of Hildegard Samson, Eden Crain, Virgil R., S/Sgt, husband of Mrs. Elizabeth A. Crain, Pierre Henrichsen, Maurice C., Pfc, husband of Mrs. Georgia D. Henrichsen, Gann Valley Village Centre, Vincent, T/5, son of Mrs. Agnes Village Centre, Little Eagle Eymer, Quentin G., Second Lt., son of Arthur G. Eymer, Reliance Fitch, Ralph O., Pvt, husband of Mrs. Lula Fitch, Lansford. Gaspar, Isidore F., T/5, son of Joseph L. Gaspar, Dell Rapids Keller, Harold, Pvt, son of Charles Keller, Watertown McKay, Ralph E., Pfc, son of Joe Mckay, Hot Springs Miller, Russell E., Pvt. nephew of Mrs. Lena Brodersen Brooks, Howard K, T/Sgt, husband of Mrs. Mable L. Brooks, Sioux Falls WHITE LAKE MAN KILLED IN WESTERN FRONT FIGHTING White Lake, S.D.--(Special) Mr. and Mrs. William Schuman have received word from the War Department saying their son, Donald Schuman, was killed in action on the western front. A previous report last December listed him as missing in action.

Donald's death was reported in seveal newspapers in South Dakota.

Subsequent telegrams and letters followed, all offering their deepest condolences to the Schuman Family.

WHITE LAKE GI REPORTED KILLED, CABLES PARENTS White Lake, S.D.--(Special) Mr. and Mrs. William Schuman received a cable from their son Don last Saturday stating that he was well and a letter would follow. He was reported as missing in action last November, and about ten days ago his parents received word that he had been killed in action. His Christmas package had been returned. Memorial services were to be held this week.

Mr. and Mrs. Schuman received a telegram from their son, Sgt. Donald Schuman, saying that he was well and that a letter would follow. This was the only information available at the time the Standard went to press last week concerning what had happened to Donald, who was first listed as missing in action in the early winter fighting on the Western front and some months later was reported killed. Now Mrs. Schuman has received a notification that her son was found in a German hospital captured by the American forces. Donald has a gunshot wound in his left eye. His address is now T/Sgt Donald Schuman, 67264309, Hospital Central Postal Directory, A.P.O. 640, c/o Postmaster, New York, NY.

This next article came from the Aurora County Standard.