You are directly responsible for the loss of our son's life

The following angry letter was sent to then-U.S. President Harry Truman in 1953 by the father of George Banning, a young soldier who had recently been killed whilst serving in the Korean War. When Truman passed away 20 years later, this letter was discovered in his desk along with Banning's posthumously awarded Purple Heart.

Transcript follows. Image courtesy of the Truman Library.

Image: Truman Library

Transcript

Nursery Rd
New Canaan
Conn.

Mr. Truman

As you have been directly responsible for the loss of our son's life in Korea, you might just as well keep this emblem on display in your trophy room, as a memory of one of your historic deeds.

Our major regret at this time is that your daughter was not there to receive the same treatment as our son received in Korea.

Singed

William Banning