Arthur Gentle of the Brushy Mountain Community, North Carolina was born on June 19th, 1917. To Annie Anderson Gentle and Joseph Andrew Gentle. Arthur’s sister was my Great-Grandmother Kate Anderson.
Arthur didn’t ask to join the military – he was drafted. Yet, he went willingly to the United States Army. He was 27 on March 12th, 1942, during World War II, when he first joined up. The service trained him to be a rifleman. His duties were simply and clearly described by military documents – he “…aimed and fired rifle at the enemy personnel.” Long before he become a rifleman in the 82nd Airborne, he had a happy and simple life on his parents. Arthur enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming he was just a perfect good guy our family recalls.
As evidenced by his numerous awards, Arthur left the war an American Hero. His service was marked with utmost bravery. He earned WWII Bronze Service Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and America Theater Campaign Award.
Yet sadly, his awards didn’t tell the horrors Arthur had suffered during his war tenure. Those little discussed secrets about Arthur are somewhat revealed through his letters home, service records, and personal recollections by our family.
These are actual excerpts, please also see the Western Union Telegrams below.
May 20th, 1943 – in a loving letter from Arthur to his mother, Annie Gentle, he tells her he has sent money home: “…Tell all the kids hello from me … Did you get any money from it yet?”
June 4th, 1944 – Arthur’s good friend wrote Annie Gentle from “Somewhere in France”: “… Been in combat. I would like to be home… I will be glad when this war is over, and I can be home to stay.”
December 9th, 1944 – letter from his mother to Arthur saying she was his favorite homemade cakes. “… I am just trying and looking forward to God … This is the fourth package I have sent you.”
January 27th, 1945 – letter from Major General to his parents, Joseph, and Annie: “This letter is to confirm my recent telegram in which were regretfully informed that your son, Private First Class Arthur Gentle 34,254,953 has been reported missing in action in Belgium since January 4th, 1945.”
March 30th, 1945 – Official military documents: “Arthur Gentle returned in military control … Malnutrition … incurred while a POW in Germany for 100 days…”
Shortly after the March 30th physical exam and debriefing, Arthur returned home to Wilkes County, North Carolina. However elated Arthur was back in America, readjusting to home-life was difficult. The wounds on his body had healed, but his soul had forever been scarred during the war’s event.
It was years before anyone knew about post-traumatic stress syndrome and how it should be treated. Arthur talked little about his imprisonment. The only thing Arthur said is “we only had grass soup to eat and water to drink.” Annie told other family members that her son “…was never quite the same.”
No one will never know just what had transpired during Arthur’s time as a prisoner of war. Tragically, on June 17th, 1951, the day before his 34th birthday Arthur died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Our family holds the sacrifice Arthur made for our country within our hearts forever.
Arthur sent this to his Mother, Annie Leen Gentle in WWII 1944.
Click On The Photos Below To Enlarge For Viewing
-Some of the writings of this blog post came from The Record Newspaper, North Wilkesboro, NC. Photos and Western Union Telegrams came from the family Bible of my Great great-grandmother Annie Lee Anderson Gentle.
Very tender and bittersweet story. So glad u wrote of it! And saved the story for us all to know. Bless him and RIP