WAR DEPARTMENT
SERVICES OF SUPPLY
OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
WASHINGTON

IN REPLY
REFER TO
                 AG 201 Hallgren, Earl O.
                 (5-20-42) OG                                                                                                                                                           May 20, 1942.
 
 
 
Mrs. Earl O. Hallgren,
        3702 North 23rd Street,
                Omaha, Nebraska.

Dear Mrs. Hallgren,

        According to War Department records, you have been designated as the
emergency addressee of Major Earl O. Hallgren, 0-318600, Infantry.
who, according to the latest information available, was serving in the Philippine
Islands at the time of the final surrender.

        I deeply regret that it is impossible for me to give you more informa-
tion than is contained in this letter. In the last days before the surrender of
Bataan there were casualties which were not reported to the War Department. Con-
ceivable the same is true of the surrender of Corregidor and possibly of other
islands of the Philippines. The Japanese Government has indicated its intention
of conforming to the terms of the Geneva Convention with respect to the inter-
change of information regarding prisoners of war. At some future date this Govern-
ment will receive through Geneva a list of persons who have been taken prisoners
of war. Until that time the War Deparment cannot give you positive information.

        The War Department will consider the persons serving in the Philippine
Islands as "missing in action" from the date of the surrender of Corregidor, May 7,
1942, until definite information to the contrary is received. It is to be hoped
that the Japanese Government will communicate a list of prisoners of war at an
early date. At that time you will be notified by this office in the event his
name is contained in the list of prisoners of wawr. In the case of persons known
to have been present in the Philippines and who are not reported to be prisoners
of war by the Japanese Government, the War Department will continue to carry them
as "missing in action," in the absence of information to the contrary, until twelve
months have expired. At the expiration of twelve months and in the absence of
other information the War Deparatment is authorized to make a final determination.

        Recent legislation makes provision to continue the pay and allowances
of persons carried in a "missing" status for a period of not to exceed twelve
months; to continue, for the duration of the war, the pay and allowances of persons
(PAGE 2) 
known to have been captured by the enemy; to continue allotments made by missing
personnel for a period of twelve months and allotments made by persons held by
the enemy during the time they are so held; to make new allotments or increase
allotments in force to certain dependents defined in Public Law 490, 77th Congress.
The latter dependents generally include the legal wife, dependent children under
twenty-one years of age and dependent mother, or such dependents as have been
designated in official records. Eligible dependents who can establish a need for
financial assistance should be advised to approach their local chapter of the
American Red Cross who will assist them in obtaining any benefits to which they
may be entitled. In the event dependents require financial assistance and are
eligible to receive this assistance the amount allotted will be deducted form the
pay which would otherwise accrue to the credit of the missing individual.

                                                                Very truly yours,
 
 
                                                                 J.A. Ulio
                                                                Major General
                                                                The Adjutant General.

COPY

                                                                                         3702 No. 23rd St.
                                                                                         Omaha, Nebraska
                                                                                         December 22 1942

Mr. H.B. Peters
1060 Omaha Natl'l Bank Bldg.
Omaha, Nebraska

Dear Mr. Peters:

I am writing to you regarding my husband, Major Earl O. Hallgren,
0-318600, Infantry, reported as "missing in action in the Philippines".

The last direct word I have received from him was on December 22, 1941,
a radiogram dated December 21, 1941 and originating at Cabanatuan. His
last known address was : Major Earl O. Hallgren, 1st Bn. 91st Infantry,
Cabanatuan, Nueva, Buija, Philippine Islands.

I am wondering whether you know of any way I could get any information
concerning him, and I would deeply appreciate any suggestions you may have.

May the New Year bring you only happiness and success in all your plans.

                                                      Sincerely yours,

                                                      Mrs. Earl O. Hallgren

WAR DEPARTMENT
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE
WASHINGTON

IN REPLY
REFER TO  AG 201 Hallgren, Earl O.
               (5 Oct 43) PC-G 0-318600
                                                                 9 October 1943.

Mr. R. B. Peters,
1060 Omaha National Bank Building,
Omaha, 2, Nebraska.

Dear Mr. Peters:

          I have received your letter of 5 October 1943, in which
you convey the appreciation expressed by Mrs. Charles L. Keerans,
Jr., following receipt of my letter of 18 September 1943, regarding
her husband, and request information concerning your friend, Major
Earl O. Hallgren.

          I regret that no report regarding Major Hallgren has been
received, since my initial notification, on May 1942, to his wife,
Mrs. Florence Hallgren, stating that her husband is missing in action
in the Philippine Islands since 7 May 1942. The military authorities
have carefully considered all available information regarding Major
Hallgren and under the provisions of Public Law 490, 77th Congress,
as amended, an official determination has been made continuing him on
the records of the War Department in a missing status. This informa-
tion was communicated to Mrs. Hallgren in my letter of 7May 1943.

          I fully realize the anxiety experienced by the families and
friends of our military personnel who are reported missing in action
and Mrs. Hallgren may be assured that is any further information is
received concerning her husband it will be conveyed to her promptly,

          Your interest in Major Hallgren is appreciated and I trust
that you will extend to his wife my deep sympathy during this period
of anxiety.

                            Very truly yours,

 

                            J.A. ULIO
                          Major General
                       The Adjutant General.

Nov 5-1942

Dear Mrs. Hallgren:

     In reply to your letter of inquiry concerning you husband, I
wish to say that I recall having taken care of him during his siege
of malaria. However, at this time I do not remember whether or not I
saw him after the war started.

     If you have had no word other than he is "missing in action",
it is my belief that he has been taken a prisoner of war. Had he been
seriously injured or killed prior to the fall of Bataan, you would
have been notified.

     Please share with us the hope and optimism that our loved ones will
be returned to us at an early date.

     Keep your chin up and make your husband proud of you, always.

                      Sincerely,

                      Ruth M. Stroud

Western
Union

AB11 WN39
WWMUA52 59 GOVT= WUX WASHINGTON DC 14 443P
MRS FLORENCE HALLGREN=
3702 NORTH 23 RD ST OMAHA NEBR=

THE SECRETARY OF WAR HAS ASKED ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET
THAT YOUR HUSBAND MAJ HALLGREN EARL O WAS KILLED IN ACTION
IN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 29 DEC 41 HE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED
MISSING IN ACTION PERIOD I REGRET THAT UNAVOIDABLE
CIRCUMSTANCES MADE NECESSARY THE UNUSUAL LAPSE OF TIME IN
REPORTING YOUR HUSBANDS DEATH YOU CONFIRMING LETTER FOLLOWS=

EDWARD F WITSELL ACTING THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE
ARMY.

29 41.

HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC

                                                                                                                             APO 787
                                                                                                                             2 December 1945

Mrs. Florence Hallgren
3702 No. 23rd St.
Omaha, Nebraska

Dear Mrs. Hallgren:

          Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy
for the loss of your husband, Major Earl O. Hallgren, 0-318600,
who died in action against the enemy on the 29th of December,
1941, on Luzon, Philippine Islands.

          I regret to say that little is known of the actual
details surrounding his death. Because of the military
situation at the time, the records kept were of necessity
meager. However, we do know that he was buried on Luzon,
Philippine Islands.

          Anything I can say is scant consolation to you in
your grief. It is my fervent hope that later, the knowledge
that his courage and sacrifices contributed to the final
victory may be of sustaining comfort to you.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        R.E. Gambill
                                        Major, AGD
                                        Asst Adj Gen

                                                                                             3702 No. 23rd Street
                                                                                             Omaha, Nebraska
                                                                                             November 16, 1945

Lt. Col. Russell D. Barros
53 Chatham Street
Worcester, Massachusetts

Dear Sir:

Since my husband, Major Earl O. Hallgren, is now known to have
been killed in action on December 29, 1941, I am trying to
learn all I can concerning his death.

In a letter dated May 29, 1945, Lt. Col. Arthur Murphy gave the
following account:

"At the beginning of the war, my unit was cut off from the
main body of the USAFFS forces and went out over the
mountains in an effort to joint---without success. Later,
I and some other officers were released from our unit to
continue this effort. We got as far South as SALACOT MINE,
BULUCAN. While in this area, we met some officers who had
been cut off in the SISON, Pangasinan, area. They were, as
I recall, Capts. Godwin and Lockridge and Lt. Barros.
During the course of the conversation with these officers, one
of them (which I cannot remember) told us the following
story about when the Japs hit his unit near SISON. He said
that shortly after sundown, when it was quite dark, the
enemy sent some tanks down the road thru their position
which, due to the fact that they had no artillery, they were
unable to stop. One of these tanks, evidently acting on ex-
cellent information furnished by spies, proceeded tot he
Command Post of the Philippine Army Regiment to which your
son had been assigned and stopped. The driver got out of
the tank and cooly walked up to the house and knocked at the
door. The Adjutant (Major Hallgren) opened the door and
was shot dead by the enemy driver, while the Commanding Of-
ficer of the PA Regiment barely escaped by jumping out of the
window."

You will note that he states that one of the three officers related the
story to him. I am wondering whether you were the "one". If you are,
or if you have anything to add, will you please let me hear from you?

My best wishes to you, and welcome home.

                                                        Sincerely yours,

 

                                                        Florence Hallgren
                                                        3702 No. 23rd Street
                                                        Omaha, 11, Nebraska

                                                   20 Feb. 1946

 

Dear Mrs. Hallgren:

     I regret very much that I did not receive your first letter
as I only to well know how you feel. Yes, I do know your husband
and was not over fifty yards from him when he was killed. The
story that Col. Murphy quoted to you is quite correct only I
believe it was a Japanese officer with two men from another
tank that stopped in the rear of the first one. The two tanks that
stopped were the last two in the column. We expected that the
whole column would go thru followed by infantry troops and then
we were to close in on the infantry troops. However, as it was
we suffered a disasterous defeat and were driven back to the
mountains. From that engagement, I believe the following
Americans were the only ones to come out alive:
            Col. Carter (Regt. CO from New Jersey, believed dead)
            Lieut. Ward (from Uxbridge Mass.)
            Capt. Lockridge (from Mississippi)
            Capt. Godwin (from North Carolina)
            Myself

     Col. Carter and Lt. Ward were able to get back to their
lines. Lt. Ward later died in prison camp and as I have heard
nothing from Col. Carter, I believe he too is dead. Lockridge,
Godwin and myself lived together in the mountains until April
1943 when at that time four miners and family surrendered
and Capts. Lockridge and Godwin also surrendered because of
sickness. The XXXXX two Capts. as I understand were on the
last Jap prison ship that left Luzon for Formosa and were
torpedoed by an American submarine and now I believe dead. From
information I can gather I think I am the only one alive out
of about twenty American instructors with the 91st Philippine
Army Regiment. Frankly, Mrs. Hallgren, Your husband did not
have a chance. The enemy was superior in numbers, better trained,
they had tanks and ours had retreated, they had artillery and
ours was never fired. I am sorry to have to write you such
confirmation of bad news, but I know it is necessary. If there is
any thing else or any way I can further help your, please write.
I am now stationed with the Military Government in Korea.
(USAMGIK, APO 235, C/O PM San Francisco.)

                                      Very Sincerely

 

                                      Russ. Barros

                                    16 Elm Avenue
                                    Kentfield, Calif.,
                                    Dec. 22, 1945.

 

Mrs. Earl C. Hallgren,
3702 No. 23rd Street,
Omaha, 11, Nebraska

Dear Mrs. Hallgren:

          Thank you very much for writing me about
your husband's death. I considered Major Hallgren
one of my outstanding officers and I will be very
happy to help in anyway his widow. I was the comman(d)-
ing officer referred to in Col. Murphy's letter. I will
to the best of my ability, give you my version of your
husband's death.

          The engagement in which I believe Major
Hallgran was killed occured on the night of December
23-24, 1941 at Pozorrubio, Pangasinan, P.I., about five
miles south of Sison. Enemy action started at about
10:00 PM, when tanks and infantry attacked the defen-
sive position of the 91st Infantry. Fighting continued
throughout the night and until about 8:00 AM the next
day when the few remaining 91st Infantry troops on
the battlefield either withdrew or surrendered to the
enemy. Major Hallgren, who was executive officer of the
regiment, left my advance command post at about 9:45
PM to inspect the disposition of the troops assigned
to protect the right flank of the position. I never
saw him again.

          On or about December 29, 1941, I reported
to my next high headquarters the name of Major Hall-
gren and certain others as missing in action. I be-
lieve your husband was killed on the night of December
23-24, 1941.

          If there is any other data you wish, please let me know.

                           Sincerely,

                           James D. Carter

                                           Jan. 16, 1946

 

Dear Sir-

          I do thank you so much for your letter giving the details of my husband's
death. Your account is so much more convincing, more satisfying than the story
given to Col. Murphy. It may seem strange, but just knowing the facts is such a
comfort to me, perhaps, it is because I was without any word for four years.
          Could you give me the date of Earl's promotion? When I received his
last letter on Dec. 8, 1941, he didn't mention even the possibility of a promotion
as I have been wondering about that.
          I pray that the New Year will bring true peace to this troubled world.
For you and your family, I wish the very best that life can give- may your
blessings be in direct proportion to the suffering you so gallantly endured.

                             Sincerely yours,

                             Florence Hallgren

SPKST 524.21 General                                                                               15 November 1945

 

SUBJECT: Shipment of Household Goods of Major Earl O. Hallgren

TO:          Commanding General, Army Service Forces, Washington 25, D.C>

                  ATTENTION: Chief of Transportation

1. Major Earl O. Hallgren, 0-318600, Inf., left Ft. Leavenworth,
Kansas in January 1941 for permanent duty and station at Manila, Phil-
ippine Islands. Major Hallgren was a Reserve Officer on active duty
at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas prior to going overseas.

2. At the time this officer went overseas, he took several articles
of furniture with him including the following:

2 barrels of dishes 2 or 3 floor lamps
Studio couch Coffee table
1 Spring (bed) 1 Rocker
1 Mattress Several boxes of linens

 

Several other items that Mrs. Hallgren, his widow, in unable to name
at this time.

3. At the time this shipment was made to the Philippine Islands
it was contemplated that Mrs. Hallgren would join her husband, but
the outbreak of the war prevented this.

4. On 16 July 1941 Mrs. Hallgren received word from her husband
that he was returning his furniture to the United States. The letter
from Major Hallgren indicates that he had inspected the household goods
upon its arrival at Manila and that he had only withdrawn his golf
clubs form the shipment and that he was making arrangements for immediate
shipment to the United States.

5. Mrs. Hallgren is now in receipt of telegraphic advice from the
Adjutant General that her husband was killed in action in the Philippine
Islands, 29 December 1941. Copy of telegram is inclosed herewith.

6. Mrs. Hallgren now desires that the household goods shipped
by her husband back to the United States in 1941 be located and shipped
to her promptly at 3702 No. 23rd St., Omaha, Nebraska. Mrs. Hallgren
has maintained her residence at this address for the past several years.

SPKST 524.21 General (cont'd)                                                       15 November 1945

7. Copies of this communication are being referred to the Kansas
City Effects Bureau and to the Commanding General, Philippine Depart-
ment, for information as tot he present whereabouts of the missing
furniture with request that the same be shipped to Mrs. Hallgren
promptly, if located.

8. This letter is addressed to your office for such assistance
as may be given in this matter.

                                                                           FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL:

 

 

1 Incl: Cy of telegram                                            P.T.L. BLACK
                                                                            Major, TC
                                                                            Deputy SvC Transportation Officer

 

cc to      Mrs. Florence Hallgren
3702 No 23rd St.
Omaha, Nebraska

Commanding Officer,
Kansas City Effects Bureau,
Kansas City, Mo.

Commanding General
Philippine Department
Manila, Philippine Islands

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
BRACNH OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL
FORT HOLABIRD, BALTIMORE 19, MD.

 

IN REPLY REFER TO:
JAG/D- 378957                                               27 January 1954

Mrs. Florence Hallgren
504 North 74th Avenue
Omaha 4, Nebraska

Dear Mrs. Hallgren:

     Reference is made to your claim in the amount of $497.29 for
damage to or loss of personal property filed under the provisions of
the Military Personnel Claims Act of 1945, as amended and imple-
mented by AR 25-100, dated 20 August 1953.

     In determining the amount to be approved for payment, it it
the policy of the Department of the Army to made deduction on de-
preciable items from the date of acquisition to the date of loss which
accounts for the reduction in your claim.

Your claim has been approved in the amount of $354.77. With-
out the necessity of further action on your part a check will be
mailed to you in due course.

                                 Sincerely yours,

 

                                 GERVASIO G SESE, Major, JAGC             Asst Chief, Personnel Claims Branch
                                 Claims Division

                                                    3702 No. 23rd Street
                                                    Omaha, Nebraska
                                                    November 16, 1945

 

United States Agency
Philippine National Bank
25 Broadway
New York, 4, New York

Gentlemen:

I have been referred by the Omaha Branch of the Kansas City
Federal Reserve Bank to write to you for information concerning
the account of my husband, Major Earl O. Hallgren, killed in
action in the Philippine Islands, in the Philippine Trust Company,
Fort McKinley, Philippine Islands.

I assume he opened this account soon after he arrived there, which
was on February 20, 1941. In September, 1941, I received a letter
with signature cards enclosed, which he asked me to sign and re-
turn promptly, thus, making it a joint account. In his letter he
stated, "I should have done this a long time ago, but I procrastin-
ated." I signed the cards and sent them to the Philippine Trust
Company on September 20, 1941, via clipper.

Your assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

                                Respectfully yours,

 

                                Florence Hallgren
                                3702 No. 23rd Street
                                Omaha, 11, Nebraska

Foreign Claims Settlement Commission
of the United States
Washington, 25 D.C.

Claimant:

Mrs. Florence Hallgren
504 No. 74th Avenue
Omaha 4, Nebraska

DECISION

This claim is filed by the above-named person, or persons, as the
case may be, under section 17 of the War Claims Act of 1948, as amended,
for the loss resulting from the alleged sequestration of a bank account
balance by the Imperial Japanese Government in the Philippines during
World War II. Satisfactory evidence has been presented that the decedent
died in 1941 and, if presently living would have been an eligible
claimant in his own right under Section 17 of the Act. A search of all
verified bank records discloses that there was on deposit in the Philippine
Trust Company an account in the name of Earl O.&/orMrs. Florence Hallgren
with a balance therein of $131.80 which was, in fact, sequestered by the
Imperial Japanese Government. There is no record of any other account,
deposit or other credit owned by the deceased which was sequestered.

It has been established to the satisfaction of this Commission that
the claimant as the widow of the decedent, who was a member of our Armed Forces
at the time of his death, is the sole eligible survivor or survivors of
the deceased under Section 17 of the Act and that such claimant or claimants
sustained a loss as the result of the sequestration of the account in question.

Accordingly, it is ordered that an award in the amount of $131.80 be
entered in favor of the claimant, or claimants herein and certified to the
Secretary of the Treasury for payment to such claimant, or claimants, in
accordance with the instructions contained in completed FCSC Form No. 324a
and pursuant to Section 17 (d)(1) of the War Claims Act of 1948, as amended.

 

Washington D.C.
Apr 4 1956                                 For the Commission

 

                                          James A Tawney
                                          Director, Sequestration Branch

WAR DEPARTMENT
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE
RECORDS ADMINISTRATION CENTER
4300 GOODFELLOW BOULEVARD
ST LOUIS 20, MISSOURI

IN REPLY REFER TO
AGRS-DA 201 Hallgren, Earl O.                                                                                                                                  16 March 1949
(24 Jan 49) 0 318 600

        Mrs. Earl O. Hallgren
        2566 Bauman Street
        Omaha 11, Nebraska

 

        Dear Mrs. Hallgren:

        Reference is made to your letter requesting the decorations and
        awards to which your husband was entitled.

        The records in this office show that Major Earl O. Hallgren,
        0 318 600, was entitled to the following:

                American Defense Service Medal with Foreign
                  Service Clasp
                Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one (1)
                  Bronze Service Star for the Philippine
                  Islands Campaign
                World War II Victory Medal
                Distnguished Unit Emblem with two (2) Bronze
                  Oak-Leaf Clusters
                Philippine Defense Ribbon with one (1) Bronze
                  Service Star

        The Commanding General, Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot, has been
        requested to forward the above awards to you.

                                                   Sincerely yours,

 

                                                   CHARLES D. CARLE
                                                   Colonel, AGD
                                                   Commanding

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