CA674

Letter of condolence from Charlie Rudd's commanding officer
(C. Avis Catalog entry #674)
(Document ID #616)



                        WAR DEPARTMENT
                    AIR SERVICE FLYING SCHOOL
                            MATHER FIELD
                    SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

                                                                        November 26 1919

Mrs. James c. Rudd
916 South 1st St
Temple, Texas

My dear Mrs. Rudd:
    May I offer you in behalf of the officers and mend of Mather Field our utmost Sincere condolences to the loss of your son who met his death near Stockton, California, when his plane crashed into a tree when he attempted to make a landing after dark. His death was, if possible, as much our loss as yours for he was an officer who commanded the respect of all who came in contact with him owing to his gentlemanly qualities and pleasant demeanor. During his service he has twice served at this Station and during this time there was nothing said about him except of a complimentary nature. He had won a place of high esteem in the hearts of all of his comrades and was rated as the kind of officer we could absolutely depend upon in any emergency.
    Lieut. Rudd was at all times an officer for whom we had the greatest respect and admiration. His willingness to perform any duty assigned to him and to perform that duty well could demand nothing less of a brother officer than the great admiration, to which he was entitled.  Being the kind of an officer and soldier he was, with the deepest devotion to duty, the greatest courage and having utmost loyalty, his record while in the Service will long remain an inspiration to all members of this command and to all who knew him.
    To you, Mrs. Rudd, we have the greatest sympathy for your loss, for it, no matter how great the loss may seem to those of us who knew him and loved him, could never equal yours, and the members of this Command want you to feel that the friends that Lieut. Rune left are indeed. friends
of yours in your great hour of sorrow.

    Believe me
            Very sincerely yours,
                    

                    [signature]

                    W. A. ROBERTSON,
                    Major, Air Service,
                    Commanding.