Jackson's Actions

All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire. --Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC) <

When The Big Bitch crashed in the fields of Saint Vougay, a farmer found the
I.D. bracelet of Lt. Thomas Morgan, the bombadier from North Dakota, not too far from his body. The Nazis had missed it when they retrieved the wreckage and the dead.

This farmer, Francois La Roux, took it upon himself to write to the family of Thomas Morgan. First he gave a letter to the Red Cross which apparently didn't get delivered, and then he wrote another and sent it directly to the states in 1945. His son, Jean La Roux also wrote a letter.

These letters were both written in English by the son, a 16 year old boy. When these letters were passed down through the family and reached Thomas Morgan's cousin, Rodney Hermes and his wife, Destia, a new chapter opened for Saint Vougay. Rod and Destia decided it was time - 63 years later - that family went to pay last respects, and thus they have made three visits to Saint Vougay starting in 2005.

Because of the Hermes, Bob Jackson, the only survivor, and other relatives, including me, have now visited the memorial in Saint Vougay and found each other.

Here are the original letters that started this search and incredible journey:

SAINT VOUGAY –
FINISTERE - BRETAGNE
FRANCE JULY-20-1945

To the nearest relatives of the flyer, Thomas L. Morgan 0.44.3728-T-42.0,
McKenzie, North Dakota.

It is in the neighborhood of Brest, France, where a humble man from Brittany is making it his duty to write to you. I do not know your language, however, one of my children has sent you a short note in English, which note we hope you will find in this same little box.

November, 1942 I wrote you a long letter which I entrusted to the care of the Red Cross. I have the impression that you did not receive this first letter. In order to give you more details about the glorious death of your courageous Thomas l. Morgan I wish to inform you that this tragedy occurred in our Neighborhood during aerial combat the 21st of October, 1942 around noon.

On that day the American bombers in groups of three passed toward the submarine base at Lorient, a French port on the Atlantic coast. The bombers came from England.

When they came over our little village, Saint Vougay, located at 40 kilometers to the east of the great war port of Brest, one of these large bombers attacked by a German pursuit plane, started to burn and tried to turn back, however, it exploded in the air and fell in flames. Several flyers succeeded in dropping by parachute and three of these were alive, although one was badly hurt and they were picked up shortly afterwards. These men were later removed by the Germans, of whom there are quite a lot in this neighborhood at present.

We are very sorry to report that there were five victims, one of whom was Thomas L. Morgan and all five fell a short distance from here, two quite near to each other. Three other boys were picked up 4 kilometers farther. Of all these remains only two could not be identified, one of whom we believe is Thomas L. Morgan because his identification tag was found right next to him, indicating clearly that he was Thomas L. Morgan. This plate I have saved and cherished greatly with the intention of sending it to you when I would have my first chance and it is attached herewith. I am sending this to you through His Honor the American Ambassador in France.

The death of all these brave Americans threw great consternation in our neighborhood and an enormous amount of people passed by and paid homage to their remains however, the Germans were there maintaining careful guard and the 23rd of October, in the morning, the remains were transferred and interred at Plouescat at 8 kilometers to the north in the neighborhood of Hanche village. An enormous crowd again assisted at the last prayers, said by a Catholic priest, and the graves were wonderfully decorated. They were placed in a row side by side along the cemetery wall and he, for whom you are mourning, is wither number 5 or number 6—the two unknown ones. I have been there several times to recite a fervent prayer and to place a flower. From Brittany in France, I have the honor to salute you with the greatest respect.

SIGNED:

FRANCOIS LE ROUX, KERJEAN, SAINT VOUGAY
FINISTERE, FRANCE



The following letter was enclosed with Francois’ letter and is from his son Jean age 16.

France, on the 20th in July 1945

Sir,
Until this year we could not write to America, but now, the war in Europe is over.
I longed for telling you about the death of your son, Thomas L. Morgan, who was killed on the 21st October 1942.
He was going with his “Flying-fortress” to bomb the naval base of Lorient in the western part of France called Brittany. The “Flying-fortresses” were attacked by German-fighters. The air-plane in which was Thomas L. Morgan tried to go back to England, because it was damaged, when suddenly, it burst out. In its crew (11 men) eight boys were killed, the other three coming down by parachute, and saving their lives.
Two of the dead-men had lost their “identity-sheet”, but some days after, one of those “identity-sheets” was found in a field; it was that of Thomas L. Morgan.
The killed-crew was buried at Plouescat, a little town close to the Channel; there, are the graves of the two unknown airmen, among their friends.
A funeral service took place, - an innumerable crowd was present, and the coffins disappeared under the crowns of flowers.
We don’t forget American dead – soldiers in France, and when we go to Plouescat, we use to pray for the rest of their souls.

Cher up!
Jean Le Roux
Kerjean in Saint Vougay
Finistère France

Excuse my mistakes, I am a student;
We join the identity-sheet of Th. L. Morgan