46-09-The_Indiana_Gazette_Tue__Sep_17__1946_

Indiana Man Hears Rumanian Priest’s Story of Honors Paid at Grave of Fallen Airman

Through the American Military Mission in Rumania, William S. Kaufman of 647 Maple Street, Indiana, has heard the story of a Rumanian Priest, who honored the grave of his grandson, killed in Action August 1, 1943.

This Rumanian Priest furnishes information as to Sgt. Robert P. Kaufman’s burial place, which had not been known to his grandparents previously.

Sgt. Kaufman was the radio gunner on a Liberator and was reported missing in action over Rumania and later reported killed.

The report received by Mr. Kaufman follows:

To: The American Mission in Rumania

Report

I had the opportunity of getting acquainted with the American people while on my two visits to the United States.

The first time in 1937 at the Boy Scouts Jamboree in Washington, DC, where I lived beside American Youth, getting to know their way of life, spirit and hopes. I visited the large cities of America and had the chance to admire their civilization and progress which surpassed all that Europe has. My contact with the Rumanian colonies over there made plain the spirit of wide understanding which embraces the life all nations that live in the United States.

In 1939 I saw America again, and on both occasions, I considered it my duty to bow respectfully before the Tomb of the Unknown American in the Arlington Cemetery.

With feeling of deep admiration and full appraising for the American people, we were greatly grieved with Rumania going in to the war in 1941, on the side of Germany placed up among the enemies of the great American nation. In my talks with many people, discussions for which my profession is responsible, I tried to communicate to others too, by firm belief in the victory of the right cause for which the United States entered the war.

The first air raid of the American aviators in Rumania was destined to have as a target the oil-region of Ploesti-Campina on August 1, 1943.

On that occasion 2 American bombers crashed in the outskirts of our town. In the wrecked airplanes 14 aviators lost their lives, while 3 severely wounded and burned were carried to the hospital, where in spite of the devoted care of the doctors and the hospital personnel, they could not be saved.

Thus, the number of dead increased to 17. Of these 8 could be identified from the tags that were found on them, while 9 remained unidentified because their tags were missing being probably burned in the fire that consumed one of the bombers, or lost when the aircraft came crashing to the ground.

Those identified were:

Robert Kaufman (33250955), deceased in the hospital on 2 August 1943

John McLoughlin (O-734948), deceased in the hospital on 2 August 1943

Sindey Allen Pear (O-797379) deceased in the hospital on 6 August 1943

Malcolm C Dalton (36364953), killed in the aircraft on 1 August 1943

James Vincent Lambert (32398109), killed in the aircraft on 1 August 1943

Elwood R. Emerson (O-2043683), killed in the aircraft on 1 August 1943

Robert W. Horton (O-736322), killed in the aircraft on 1 August 1943

On the occasion of the 3rd air raid of the American aviation over Campina, on the 6th of May 1944 in the bomber that crashed in the north part of town, called Campinita (Parcul Istrato) 6 aviators were killed:

H. Johnson

A. R. Jenings

Mohring

Dayton C. Volz

William C. Ward and the sixth unknown to us, but identified later by the American authorities.

Identification of these aviators was made from the identification plates found on them, looked after with great care at the moment when the corpses were removed from the place of the wreckage, operation in which personally helped with great good will and the Garrison Doctor Stelian Chirica.

Together with the town authorities the funeral took place with great solemnity the religious ceremony which I held accompanied by military honors of the Honor Company present there while the coffins of the aviators were covered with flowers we gathered on the fields and from our gardens.

In the sermons that I delivered on the occasion of these funerals, I explained to those present that we honor the American aviators as heroes, that offered their life in fulfilling their sacrifice be warranty for the peace of tomorrow, in the spirit of Justice and forgiveness.

After they were buried, we did not forget neither them, nor their graces. Consequently on the day when Rumanians honor their dead Heroes (Ascension-Day) in the year 1944, the civil and military authorities took part, together with German officers that were in town, at a mass which was officiated for the souls of Rumanian and German Heroes. For the fear of air raids this ceremony starting earlier than usual I arrived toward the end when I addressed those present to attend my religious service too. So I guided them to the graves of the American aviators where, before the Rumanian authorities and German officers, I officiated a ceremony for their souls.

After the war ended in Europe, Mr. Harry S. Truman, President of the United States asked the American people that the 30th of May 1945 be consecrated to prayer for peace and commemoration of the Heroes that fell on the battlefield, glorious creators of Victory.

On that day, according to the wish of President Truman, I officiated a divine service in my church at Campina with his Holiness Bishop Vasile Aftenie service and Archpriest Titus Malai, Dean Victor Fodor from Bucharest, as well as Archpriest Jean de Krassewsky from Campina, inviting at the same time all civil and military authorities and the population of the town.

After church in a majestic procession, together with all those that attended we proceeded to the American Heroes’ graves in the Cemetery of Campina, where prayers were raised for their souls, glorifying their sacrifice, on the altar of the Nations Liberty.

This is in short the story of what happened over here, and I would like to make known to the families of those that are buried here, so that they might know that although they were not by the side of their loved ones, we replaced them here, considering them as our own.

Now, when all these Heroes have been removed from our cemetery and interred besides their brave comrades in the US Military Cemetery here in Sinaia, where they are surrounded by forests and mountains and with a white cross over their graves, I have a personal favor to ask

Whenever the memory of these American Heroes fallen on duty, for a future of Liberty and Happiness, will be honored, I ask permission of the US Authorities to be allowed to join those that will raise their prayers for the peace of their soulds, Heroes of their country and Heroes that died for OUR LIBERTY.

Campina 29 October 1945

Signed

Greek Catholic Rumanian Parish

Priest Laurentiu Diodor Moisin of Campina and Prahova Valley.

Ecclesiastic Councellor

KAUFMAN, Robert Paul