FTO Arthur Carl Resech was born in Oak Park, Illinois, on June 1, 1924, to Carl H. Resech and Helga Frey-Resech, and had a sister and three brothers. The family resided at 114 Rockford Street, Forest Park, Illinois. He graduated from Saint John’s Lutheran School and attended Proviso Township High School, but he left school before his class graduated. He went to work at the Continental Can Company, Chicago.
He appears to have enlisted in the US Army Air Corps but no information has been found on when he enlisted or where he enlisted. In addition it is not known where he did his basic training. What is known is that he attended was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, at the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center in July 1943, where he received training to attend flight school. He was sent to flight school in October 1943, at Strother Field, Kansas. He was commissioned a Flight Officer and received the serial number T-124 786. Flight Officers served as rated pilots, navigators, flight engineers, bombardiers and glider pilots.
At some point, he was assigned to the 5th Bomb Group, 868th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 13th Army Air Force which was known as the Snoopers because of their low-level bombing missions. Arthur fought in the South Pacific from December 1944 to April 1945. He was reported wounded in action in the Chicago Tribune on December 10, 1944. On April 18, 1945, his plane was taking part in a mission on the Celebes Islands, Dutch East Indies, which was his 23rd mission. During the mission his plane was rammed by a Japanese Kamikaze and crashed in flames into the sea. His family was informed he was missing in action.
MRS HELGA RESECH
114 ROCKFORD STREET
FOREST PARK ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON FLIGHT OFFICER ARTHUR C RESECH HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE EIGHTEEN APRIL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AREA PERIOD IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIED PERIOD
ULIO
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
A letter followed the telegram.
Mrs. Helga Resech
114 Rockford Street
Forest Park, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Resech:
This letter is to confirm my recent telegram in which you were regretfully informed that your son, Flight Officer Arthur C. Resech, T 124 786, Air Corps, has been reported missing in action since 18 April 1944 in Southeast Asia.
I know that added distress is caused by failure to receive some information or details. Therefore, I wish to assure you that at any time additional information is received it will be transmitted to you without delay, and, if in the meantime no additional information is received, I will again communicate with you at the expiration of three months. Also, it is the policy of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces upon receipt of the “Missing Air Crews Report” to convey to you any details that might be contained in that report.
The term “missing in action” is used only to indicate that the whereabouts or status of an individual is not immediately known. It is not intended to convey the impression that the case in closed. I wish to emphasize that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel. Under war conditions this is a difficult task as you must readily realize. Experience has shown that many persons reported missing in action are subsequently reported prisoners of war, but as this information is furnished by countries with which we are at war, the War Department is helpless to expedite such reports. However, in order to relieve financial worry, Congress has enacted legislation which contains in force pay, allowances and allotments to dependents of the personnel being carried in a missing status.
Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
J. A. ULIO
Major General
The Adjutant General.
His family learned of his death in a telegram dated May 19, 1945, when the Quartermaster Corps received additional information showing he was dead.
MRS HELGA RESECH
114 ROCKFORD STREET
FOREST PARK ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR ASKS THAT I ASSURE YOU OF HIS DEEP SYMPATHY IN THE LOSS OF YOUR SON FLIGHT OFFICER ARTHUR C RESECH WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION REPORT NOW RECEIVED STATES HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION EIGHTEEN APRIL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AREA CONFIRMING LETTER FOLLOWS=
J A ULIO TTHE ADJUTANT GENERAL
The content of the letter is not known.
Since his plane went down at sea, his name was placed on the Walls of the Missing, American Military Cemetery, Manila, Philippine Islands.
