52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 46
Remembering Lee Ernest Sanders
With Veterans Day approaching, I thought this week's theme, An Ancestor Who Took a Risk, would be a great opportunity to remember my grandma’s younger brother, Lee Ernest Sanders, who lost his life during World War II.
Great Uncle Lee Ernest Sanders 1924 - 1945
Lee was born May 2, 1924, in Arkansas, the son of Eva Adkins Harris. He entered the U.S. Army on November 4, 1943, and was sent overseas in September 1944, serving with the 124th Cavalry in Burma.
On January 29, 1945, Lee was killed in action near Hpa-pen in northern Burma. He was just 20 years old.
The newspaper article announcing his death included excerpts from letters written to his family by two of his commanding officers. Both spoke highly of Lee, describing him as hardworking, well-liked, and devoted to his duties.
News clip from Martha Elkins’ collection - original newspaper unknown
But what struck me most was an excerpt from a letter Lee had written to his mother on the very morning he was killed.
He shared the happy news that he had been promoted to Private First Class, mentioned receiving Christmas cards from home, and even wrote that he wished he could have been there to help the family butcher hogs. He also mentioned that the weather was good and that the soldiers had been swimming nearly every day.
Just an ordinary letter from a young man thousands of miles from home, with no way of knowing it would be his last.
When I think about the risks my ancestors took, military service certainly comes to mind. At just 19 years old, Lee left behind his family and everything familiar to him and finding himself halfway around the world in the middle of a war. I can't imagine what that experience must have been like for a young man from rural Arkansas. Sadly, Lee paid the ultimate price for his service.
Lee was initially buried overseas, but his remains were eventually returned to Arkansas. On April 19, 1949, more than four years after his death, he was laid to rest at Little Rock National Cemetery.
Photo from Find A Grave Member CJ
U.S., National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962
I never knew Lee, and I don't know what he experienced during those final months of his life. But I'm grateful that his photograph, letters, and newspaper clipping have been preserved, giving us a small glimpse of the young man behind the military uniform.
And I think the best way to end his story is with the closing words of that final letter to his mother:
"Hope to hear from you all real soon. Love, Lee."