Oroville Mercury Register
June 25,
1943
(Continuing the story of T/Sgt. Wilton Wixom)
War
Prisoner Send Letter From Germany
A letter and a
post card from Technical Sergeant Wilton Wixom, missing since May
14 on a bombing raid over the European continent, was received by
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Wixom of Themalito, Wednesday.
Sgt. Wixom, held in a prison camp in Germany, said he was uninjured
in landing, indicating that the plane in which he was a waist gunner
had been shot down or had crashed. He said he was in good
health and was being well cared for. Wixom advised his parents
that he expected to be transferred to another prison camp, and said
he would inform them of his new address. The letter and post
card were dated May 24, the day that Sgt. Wixom was reported by
the war department as missing. Later the Wixom’s were advised
officially that he was a war prisoner.
A Letter From the War Department to Mr.
Glenn E. Wixom “War Department, Army Service Forces, Office
of the Provost Marshal General Washington, 2 July 1943 Re;
T/Sgt. A. Wixom, Dear Mr. and Mrs. Wixom: The Provost
Marshal General directs me to inform you that the above-named prisoner
of war has been reported transferred to Stalag 7 A, Germany.
His prisoner of war number is 112453. You may communicate
with him by following the enclosed mailing instructions. One
package label and two tobacco labels are issued every sixty-day
period to the next of kin without application. These will
be mailed to you on or about July 11, 1943. Further information
will be forwarded as soon as it is received. Sincerely yours,
Howard F. Bresee.
A Letter from Headquarters Army Service
Forces, Office of the Provost Marshal General Washington 25. D.
C., 17, August 1944
Dear Mrs. Wixom: The Provost
Marshal General directs me to reply to your letters of 2 August
1944 and 12 August 1944, regarding your son, Technical Sergeant
Wilton A. Wixom. Information has been received which indicates
that your son is now interned at Stalag 17 B, Germany. His
prisoner of war number is 112453. Long delays in the delivery
of prisoner of war mail coming to this country are not unusual.
Such mail moving within and from enemy territory is subject to all
difficulties of wartime interruptions and transportation delays.
Prisoner of war mail is censored in at least two countries.
It is for these reasons that the delivery of such mail cannot be
assured. One duplicate parcel label is herewith enclosed.
Further information will be forwarded as soon as it is received.
Sincerely yours, Howard F. Bresee, Colonel, C. M. P., Assistant
Director, Prisoner of War Division.
This letter is from Joseph P. Culkin, Hempstead,
L.I.N.Y. May 26, 1944
Mrs. Mary C. Wixom,
Dear Madam:
I have just received from Commanding Officer, 510th Bomb
Squadron, England, a list of all names of the members of the crew
of “The Annthilator” which I believe was the name of the ship to
which T/Sgt. Wilton A. Wixom, was assigned; and to which my son,
S/Sgt. Thomas Patrick Culkin, was also assigned. My son is
now interned as a prisoner of war at Stalag XVII B. Germany.
I have received letters from him stating he is in good health, of
course, he tells but little else. I find it hard and difficult
to write this letter, but the prayers of Mrs. Culkin and mine join
yours, beseeching God to bless and protect all members of this brave
crew. Please accept the best wishes of myself and my wife.
Shall send you a list of all members it you so desire, I remain,
respectfully yours, Joseph P. Culkin.
A Register Forms For Recovered Allied Prisoners
Of War
Surname, Wixom, First Name, Wilton, Initials A.,
Nationality American, Rank, T/Sgt, Army Serial Number 39090636,
PW Number, 112453, Unit 510th SQD, Regt 351st
GRP Unassigned 8th Branch of Service Air Force, Present
Camp Ranshafen, How Long, 3 Days, Previous Camp Stalag XVII B, General
Physical Condition, Good, Evacuated by; Air. Date Evacuated, May
8, 1945, Date Captured May 14, 1943, Place Captured Courtri, Belgium,
Date returned to military control, May 3, 1945, Signature of Ex
Pw T/Sgt Wilton A Wixom, Theater in which captured E.T. O
Stu’s Notes: Well as you read T/Sgt Wilton a. Wixom is on his way
home after 2 years as a P.O.W. We will honor him and the M/I/A’s
this coming September on the 3rd Friday on the steps
of the Oroville Veterans Memorial Hall on Montgomery Street.
It amazes me when I think, how did the mail get through? The
Germans must have had a dedicated mailman, like my brother Larry.
This mail will get delivered to the Americans, come rain, snow,
sleet, hail, bullets, bombs, mine field and it did.