Memorial

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1st Lt Melvin L. Wilhoite wrote a letter to Sgt Hank’s parents, telling them about the circumstances of his death:
“On 3 June he and the other members of his company had been cleaning weapons in their company barracks in the small Bavarian town of Waldsassen, Germany. While one of the men was inspecting a small foreign pistol which had been captured from the enemy, it was accidentally discharged. The bullet struck your son and wounded him seriously. His comrades administered first aid treatment immediately while medical aid was being summoned. He was then taken to an army hospital in the city of Weiden, a short distance away. Despite everything that medical science could do for him, he died there on 11 June.”