The following appeared in the parish news of St. Teresa’s
Church in the Spring of 1945. William
Thomas Casey, Br. John’s Dad, was serving in the Pacific as a RDM 2/c on a
destroyer escort. This letter was
written by his brother, Cpl. John Anthony Casey, a Marine on his way to Iwo Jima. His mother was an Irish immigrant, a widow
who had eight children, two of whom died while infants.
From St. Teresa's Parish News: “We would like to include here his last letter to his
mother—one of the most moving documents we have seen.
January 30, 1945
Dear Mom,
At this writing I am
on board a troop ship headed for an attack on our enemy, Japan. As for our destination, you will know that by
the newspaper headlines long before this letter reaches you. I have no doubt of our victory, as the
Marines never did learn the meaning of defeat.
One thing I know is that few of us will be injured; others will pay the
supreme sacrifice. All of us realize we
have a job mapped out for us, and understand that the lot of some will be more
difficult than others. And yet the sum
total isn’t too much to ask to retain our priceless heritage offered in good
old America. We’re fighting for things
that we all took so much for granted before Pearl Harbor. For a Saturday night date with the girl friend
or a few beers with the boys. For a
chance to play ball on Sunday or take a ride in the country. These and many more little things come to
mind when you think of home. And if the
price asked of a few of us seems a little steep, just remember that America is
made up of generations and not individuals and that a fellow not only fights
for his own happiness, but for that of the people he loves.
Naturally I don’t
intend having anything happen to the ‘Lil Infant’ at all. I’ll be in there giving everything I’ve got
on one hand, but keeping both eyes open and taking care of myself on the
other. I agree with the fellow 100% who
says, ‘I believe in the other fellow giving his life for his country, rather
than mine for America.’
Aboard this particular
ship we are fortunate in having a Catholic Chaplain, and I am thus afforded the
opportunity of going to daily Mass. So far
this week I went to Confession and Communion, and I intend on Receiving again
tomorrow. Naturally, I remember you all
in my prayers at home, and I know you do likewise. And don’t think I don’t need your prayers at
home, as at this particular time they are most helpful. And in your intentions, just ask God as I do,
that I may be in all conflicts, a good Christian, and a good Marine and Mom Casey’s
boy.
I realize that the
tone of this letter is very serious, but then these are very serious
times. When the chips are down as they
are now, a fellow is bound to take more seriously a lot of things he previously
took for granted back home. And while it
is only natural for a fellow like me to think as I do, I only hope I am doing
right in putting my thoughts across to you.
If I can but convey the idea to you that I am happy where I am, and in
what I am doing for the good of all that will come about; that I am living up
to my faith and am in the state of grace asking no quarter nor giving any; and firmly believing in the
adage that everything happens for the best, then I am happy and if you think
I’m being too serious about this all, just remember I’m merely trying to be
realistic, and not a dreamer.
Mrs. Delia Casey…was informed on April 4th, 1945 that her
son, Corporal John Anthony Casey died in action on March 10th at Iwo
Jima of wounds suffered while serving as a machine gunner with the 25th
Marines, Fourth Marine Division.
Corporal Casey was 23 years old, a graduate of St. Agnes
High School in Manhattan and had attended St. John’s College. He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps shortly
after the Pearl Harbor attack. Corporal
Casey was over six feet tall, though his family affectionately refers to him as
‘the Lil Infant’ as he was the youngest of Mrs. Casey’s three sons.”
We remember.
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