3 November 1944 Holland

Dear Miss Taylor,

Introducing myself as: Captain Champ L. Baker, your brother's Company Commander, of Company "I", 502 Parachute Infantry.

I received your letter of 11 October, but unfortunately, censorship regulations have prevented me from replying as soon as I would have liked. As a matter of fact, I am still limited as to what I can tell you. Perhaps later I can be more specific and elaborate in the details of Lester's passing.

It is awfully hard for me to put down on paper how I feel about the men of my company who have gone. And especially Lester. He was a member of my platoon nearly two years ago when I commanded the second platoon of "I" Company. I watched him develop from a civilian into a soldier, you might say, during that time, and I learned to place the utmost confidence and trust in him.

During the harrowing days following the invasion of Normandy, when our company was torn to bits (though we inflicted terrific losses on the enemy), Lester's coolness and calmness under heavy fire stood out, and he was promoted to Corporal on the field of battle. Upon return from France his efficient handling of our new men and his evident desire to transfer his knowledge to them gained on the field of battle resulted in him promotion to Sergeant on the day we left for the invasion of Holland. I cannot disclose the location of our jump in Holland or list any names of any type.

We jumped on the 17th, and Lester was killed in action on the 19th.

Our company, after one day's heavy fighting, had been given the mission of defending a very important road block which would deny an avenue of supply and re-enforcements to the enemy we had trapped the day before. This very important mission was given to the second platoon commanded by Lt. Robert G. Burns. They went into position at 10:30 the night of the 18th, and at 2:50 a.m. were heavily attacked by a German column. In the face of terrific fire, the equal of which I have never seen, they held their ground and massacred the enemy attempting to break through. We killed forty-nine of them and took thirty-seven prisoners.

Lester's squad, on the right, by its display of bulldog tenacity and his personal leadership, refused to be pushed from the road block. His men held fast and the enemy was forced to retreat. The next day (19th) the enemy again attempted to push through and once more were repulsed with heavy losses. The fighting raged around the road block all morning, and the ferocity of the action necessitated my sending up sorely needed reserves.

At approximately 10:00 a.m., Lester, seeing the need of more men on the other side of the road, proceeded across the road with two of his men to go to the aid of our troops there.

He was struck down by machine gun fire and his death was instantaneous. His passing was merciful, and he suffered no prolonged pain.

For his outstanding work in the face of the enemy and his utter devotion to duty, he has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal posthumously. In due time you should receive this award from a grateful government.

It may please you to know that by the road block's being held we were able to push forward later on during the day and completely annihilate the enemy, taking over nine-hundred prisoners and killing between four and five hundred. I know this information is not as complete as you would like it, and later on, when censorship permits I shall endeavor to ease your grief and pain at his loss with more specific details.

Lester was one of my boys and his loss is very precious to me. I shall never be able to replace him, and in the coming years of peace shall often think of him and the courageous manner in which he performed his duties under fire. His bravery and determination ranked beside the highest heroes of this war.

The men in the Second Platoon that were closest to him will write in due time, I am sure. Lt. Burns has already written. I knew that Lester had been married but a short while, and I have heard the men in his platoon remark that a nice wife he had. I think he invited some of them over to a supper while the unit was still at Bragg. She lost one of the finest men in the service, and I hope she can, in the lonely days ahead, be reconciled with the memory that her husband was fighting for her and his future home, and he thought so highly of her and that home, that he gave his all in an effort to bring about a peaceful and happier existence for her.

I'm afraid I must close for now. There is more fighting to be done, and as long as men like your brother are here to see that the job is going to be done, I have every confidence in the final and complete victory. Please let me hear from you again, and if there is any way possible that I can assist you, rest assured that a letter will receive my immediate and most devoted attention.

Sincerely, Champ L. Baker