[Group of material related to an American POW]

Remnants from one family’s heartbreak during World War II.

This assorted selection of printed matter represents the hope and heartbreak experienced by families on the homefront during World War II. Second Lieutenant John ‘Jack’ Moore III was a member of the 59th Coast Artillery Regiment who was captured in the Philippines after the fall of Corregidor in 1942. In 1944, he was tragically killed aboard the hellship Arisan Maru when it was sunk by the American submarine USS Shark.

A prisoner-of-war note written by John’s mother notifies him of a new nephew, named after Uncle Bob. Sadly, it is postmarked February, 1945 and marked Return to Sender. Three copies of a letter addressed to Mr. Moore, a State Senator, are included. They notify the recipient about his son’s cruel fate and share the heartfelt sympathy of Adjutant General James Ulio. Several newspaper clippings commemorate Jack’s capture, the sinking, and subsequent American efforts in the Pacific Theater. These, and a meeting program of POW/MIA families, show the resilience of the Moore family to endure after Ike’s death.