Herschel died in New Guinea, from battle wounds during WWII. His dying words, written to his parents were commemorated in the book: The Guns at Last Light by Rick Atkinson. His words and his sacrifice echo even today. His letter to his parents: Herschel died in New Guinea, from battle wounds during WWII. His dying words, written to his parents were commemorated in the book: The Guns at Last Light by Rick Atkinson. His words and his sacrifice echo even today. His letter to his parents: Hershel’s letter: "Dearly Beloved, My dear sweet Father, Mother and Sister: About 9:00 A.M. I came out on a mercy patrol to pick up dog tags etc. of our dead. This was the morning of Tuesday December 1, 1942. I was trying to turn over the body of Captain Keast, a friend of mine, when I was shot two or three times in my right leg and hip. Lt. Ellis, Sgt Young and Pvt. Merle Christian were with me. I yelled that I was shot. I was in front of all but Merle, they ran for shelter. I dragged myself for a Jap grass shanty about twelve yards to the rear of where I was shot. Sgt. Young said he would send help as soon as possible. Possible never came evidently because I laid there unattended in any way without food or water or medical care. Two days of semi-deliriousness and then I called Captain Shirley's name, Ellis, Help, Etc. Finally Lt. Gibbs and one of his men from the Anti Tank Co. came to me. Their medic also came up. The Medic gave me my first drink of water in three days, but he had no food to offer. The medic bandaged me temporarily. Lt. Gibbs promised me aid, but I never saw him again. The Medic came back and gave me water, but a man helping him got shot there and that scared him away. Life from then on was a terrible nightmare. The hot burning sun, the delirious nights. No one came near me from then on, but I did dig a water hole in four days time which was wonderful to me; although it was polluted by all the rotting bodies within 12 ft and 14 ft of me. Then two or three rescue parties from my company came out, but they never could find me. On two or three occasions they nearly got to me when the Japs or a rainstorm made it impossible. The Japs are living within 15 yds. of me. I see them every day. I have tried to make splints and crawl or walk out, but I just can't make it. Today, (as nearly as I can judge, Dec. 11) I managed to stand, but I could go no farther. A Jap shot me in the shoulder and neck as I weakly sat there and I thought my time had come, but no, I sit and lay here in this terrible place, wondering not why God has forsaken me; but rather why He is making me suffer this terrible end? It is true I understand life and its reasons now, but why should He send it to this terrible grave with me? Why not let me live and tell others? I am not afraid to die although I have nearly lost my faith a couple of days here. I have a pistol here, but I could not kill myself; I still have faith in the Lord. I think He must be giving me the supreme test. I now know how Christ felt on the cross. I have imagined hearing several other rescue parties, but one's imagination grows as his body shrivels. I have had no food of any kind since that morning I was shot. My right hip is broken and my right leg, both compound fractures; else I could have been out of here in those first couple of days, wounds or no wounds. My live has been food, but I am so young and have so many things undone that a man of 29 should do. We may never know God's purpose in striking me down like this, but He must have one. I can still truthfully say that I have never killed another man, although I have been ordered to order others to. I wonder how long a man can go on like this? I shall continue to pray for a miracle of rescue. I want to commend Lt. Ellis for his wonderful efforts and heroism in attempt to rescue me under the Jap treachery. God bless you My loved ones. Keep the faith, don't worry. I shall see you all again some day. I prepare to meet My Maker. Love, Hershel"