Claude Stierwalt, known as “Bus”, was born in Oklahoma in 1920 to Claude and Nina (Sequichie) Stierwalt. In July of 1942, he joined the Army Air Corps, serving as a Staff Sergeant throughout World War II.
Family Photos Before the War
Before Claude left for service the family gathered to take photos.
Front Row (L to R): Jack, Ray, and Jay
Middle Row: Jeanne and Joanne
Front: Jane
Letter from Italy 1944
In 1944, while stationed in Italy, Bus wrote a holiday letter home to the family. His sadness at missing out on the holidays is evident throughout the letter: [transcription of legible portions below]
[Transcription]
Italy
November 19, 1944
Dear Folks
Well it is getting near Thanksgiving and sure wish I was back there to have Thanksgiving dinner with you.
Did dad get to go deer hunting when hunting season opened up there. I sure hope he got to kill one for I guess it will be about the first one he ever got to shoot at.
About all of the boys that I was in the tent with last year have gone home as one of them went just lately and it don’t hardly seem the same around here with them gone. I hope it isn’t long before I get to go home.
Glad to hear that Johnnie Lee is going to get to come home so he may get to go home for Christmas. Did Wendell ever come out there? About the last time I heard from Gip she said that he thought he was going out there.
I guess up where Oren is it is getting pretty cold by now, did he say anything about it in his letters and…country it is up there. It has…here lately but just as long as it stays…start raining it will suit me O.K.
All there isn’t much to write so will close.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Bus
After the War
More than 400,000 U.S. service personnel died during World War II. Fortunately, when the war was over, Bus made it home to spend many happy holidays with his family.
This letter is a good reminder of the sacrifices of our service personnel and their families. Happy Veteran’s day and many thanks to all who have served!
Douglas Robertson
November 11, 2019So timely, Michelle. Thank you for this.
Stefanie Huntley
September 16, 2021I am Nina’s granddaughter, Stefanie. My father was Raymond Carl (1930 – 2011). Thank you for this, so happy to see a picture of my dad as a young boy.
Michelle
December 18, 2021Hi Stefanie,
Thank you for saying hello. I used to see your brother occasionally before we moved away from Spokane. It is great to connect with a cousin!
John Stierwalt
May 27, 2022We stand on the shoulders of giants…and our fathers, grandparents, and uncles are truly among them. On this Memorial Day weekend, I will take extra time to remember the men in this picture who served in the Second World War…and be ever grateful they all returned from the war. It is because of them, we are all here. And to their friends and comrades who did not return, we are ever-mindful of their sacrifice…of their giving their last full measure of devotion so we (and even the children of their enemies) would have long and happy lives in liberty and freedom. So, to those who served with Uncles Bus, Charlie, and Wendell, we remember and are eternally in your debt for your sacrifice…it is because of you, the untold hundreds of thousands who gave up all your tomorrows so that we may enjoy each and every one of our todays, we say “Rest in peace, good and faithful servants…and rest assured we will keep the light of liberty lit.”