This is Jocco podcast number one forty eight with Echo Charles and me Jocco Willink

Good evening echo good evening

Twenty November

1950

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Richardson

I regret that I must confirm my recent telegram in which you were informed that your son master sergeant William J. Richardson

Infantry has been reported missing in action in Korea since 2 November 1950

I know that added distress is caused by failure to receive any more information or details

Therefore I wish to assure you that at any time additional information is received it will be transmitted to you without delay

The term missing in action is used only to indicate that the whereabouts or status of an individual is not immediately known

It is not intended to convey the impression that the case is closed

I wish to emphasize that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel

Under battle conditions, this is a difficult task as you must readily realize

Experience has shown that many persons reported missing in action

are subsequently reported as returned to duty or being hospitalized for injuries

In order to relieve financial worry on the part of the dependence of military personnel being carried in a missing in action status

Congress enacted legislation which continues to pay allowance and allotments of such persons until their status is definitely established

Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty

I sincerely yours Edward F. Whitsell, Major General, US Army

So obviously that is a letter from the government about a missing soldier, this missing soldier in this case is William Richardson

William Richardson or Bill Richardson who was a part of that whole melee that unfolded in the beginning of the Korean War

When the 8th Army was caught off from the rest of coalition forces and many of those that got caught off

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