Page 2

Parent Status of trial involving death of son
Date 22 September 1947
Language English
Collection Tavenner Papers & IMTFE Official Records
Box Box 5
Folder General Memoranda and Reports from September 1947
Repository University of Virginia Law Library
Mr. S. J. Prichard Page Two The other seven crew members were captured by the Tokai Army with headquarters at Nagoya. After lengthy interrogation they were tried for indiscriminate bombing on 11 July 1945 along with four American flyers from another plane. All eleven were found guilty and sentenced to death. They were executed on 12 July 1945. After the war their bodies were exhumed by the Japanese and cremated and t he remains placed in a Buddhist Temple at Koshoji. I feel certain that I saw an article some months ago in a newspaper to the effect that the ashes of several thousand American soldiers were being cared for along with ashes of Japanese soldiers at this Buddhist temple and that American guards have been posted there. I will investigate the matter, and, in any event, I will go to this Buddhist Temple and ascertain the exact situation and will report my findings to you. The Legal Section is in possession of the identity tags of your son which are on a chain also holding a key and a gold interlocking ring in three sections with a heart design. The Legal Section also has several rings, watches and other effects which were taken from the American flyers, but which they have no way of identifying as the property of any individual. It is contemplated that such effects as can be identified will be used as evidence at the trials and thereafter be returned to the next of kin. If you can give me a description of a ring other than that mentioned above or of a watch owned by your son, I will pass the information along. The Legal Section has a note in their files to advise me the time and place of trial so that if it is possible for me to attend the trial I can do so. Please remember me to Judge Paul and Mr. Gentry. With kindest regards and greatest sympathy to you and your family, I am Sincerely yours, Frank S. Tavenner, Jr.