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The following letter appears courtesy of and with thanks to Harmon Buckley and Michael P. May

This letter was written by one of Harmon's superior officers, Major Everett Duell, to Harmon's wife, Anita, after Harmon was killed in action at Salerno, Italy.

Major E. A. Duell
30th Replacement Bn.
A.P.O. #763, New York

Mrs. Harmon L. Buckley,
P.O. Box 347,
Ballinger, Texas
October 10, 1943
Dear Mrs. Buckley:
I am truly sorry there is nothing I can say or do that will make the loss of Harmon any the easier for you to bear and I'll not even attempt to do that. I believe I have some realization of what his going means to you and your young son and I want you to know my heart goes out to you at this time in complete sympathy. I am sure Harmon has spoken of me and you may remember I am from Holdenville and have known Harmon for some years. I was deeply attached to him and being over twice his age looked upon him much as a father would on his son. His death effects me considerably and I have been completely broken up over it since. He was one of the finest young men I have known and one of the most promising and successful young officers we had in the regiment. I have watched his progress in the army with some pride, from the day he enlisted as a private until the time of his commission as a 2nd Lieut., then his promotion to a 1st Lieut. and finally, on the day of his death, he was leading his unit, Company I, into battle as it's company commander. Every day of his life has been one you can be proud of. Harmon was successful in whatever he did and I might tell

you it would not have been long before he would have been wearing Captain's bars. His country -- yours and mine -- will feel his loss[.]
I am writing you, Mrs. Buckley, because I believe it will be some consolation to you if you know some of the details concerning Harmon's death and burial and the events leading up to it.
Captain Quillan was in the hospital prior to our leaving for Italy and Harmon took command of the company on his departure. This was about a month before we left Sicily. I am not just saying this Mrs. Buckley to be saying nice things about Harmon, believe me, but during the time he had the unit in Sicily he had it better organized than any company in the battalion, his area was in better shape and the discipline and training was excellent. Col. Taylor and myself had both remarked about it several times. From Sicily Harmon led his company in to action in Italy. The details of the landing, locations etc. can not yet be told but I can tell you we landed on Sept. 10th and Harmon was killed in action the morning of the 11th.
We had made contact with the Germans early that morning and the fighting was continuous. Harmon, together with Col. Taylor and Capt. Mc Cain of the 160th Field Artillery, were on the very front lines, all three of them grouped close together attempting to observe the enemy in order to perfect plans for the use of our battalion. I was a short distance in the

rear at our Command Post. I moved forward to deliver a message to Col. Taylor and arrived at the spot when the three had been and found Col. Taylor, just a few minutes after Harmon and Capt. Mc Cain were killed. Mrs. Buckley, I want you to know Harmon never suffered one moment from the wound; he died instantly from a machine gun bullet which pierced his heart. I was terribly shocked and temporarily went to pieces. I remained with Harmon at the Medical Aid Station until we could get transportation for his body. We took him then back to the regimental area where Chaplain William H. Dickinson, Jr., of the 1st Bn. conducted the services and Harmon was buried in a field in Italy. Graves of other soldiers of the regiment surround the place where Harmon lies, his friend Lieut. Conrady, being one of them. A dozen of us, all that could be spared with the fighting going on, gathered at the grave for the services. One song was sung and Chaplain Dickinson, who knew Harmon quite well, spoke briefly of Harmon and read some scriptures. We said good-bye to Harmon, your husband and my close friend.
I was given a few things to send you which were taken from his purse, which he carried with him at all times, and I enclose them with this letter. All of his other personal effects will be shipped to you later by the Government. These items, which he had on him,

are, his fountain pen, class ring, identification bracelet, wedding ring and billfold with $1.51. These together with his clothes will come to you although it may be several months before they arrive. Some day when this war is ended I hope to be able to see you and Harmon's young son and point out to you on a map where this action took place and where he is buried.
I hope this letter hasn't made things harder for you. I hardly knew what to write but you see I too loved Harmon and felt you would like to have me write this letter with this information. I hope his son grows up to be as fine a man as his father.
If there is anything I can do or any other information you want I want you to feel free to write me.
Very sincerely
Everett A. Duell

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