Eugene Anderson Chandler was born on 31 May 1924 at Greeneville, Tennessee, the son of Martin Van Buren Griffin Chandler and Rosanna Jane Lamons.
He died 6 March 1944
Buried at River Hill Cemetery, Greeneville, TN
Private
7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Calvary Division, Troop C
Pvt Chandler Died of Wounds on Manus Island (one of the Admiralty Islands).
The Greeneville Sun, 5 May 1944
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Chandler, of Chuckey, Rt., whose son, Pvt. Eugene A. Chandler, 19, was reported as killed in action in the Admiralty Islands on March 26, have received the following letter from Pvt. Jack Mills, of Alfrida, Arizona, which is self-explantory:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Chandler:
As a stranger, I find this letter especially hard to write. It is the first time I have ever been confronted with a situation such as this, and it is certainly not easy. At a time like this, in the first place, there is so little that one can say, but I know how you must feel in your hearts. I, too find an empty place in my heart and a lump in my throat. I am only twenty-four myself but I have a wonderful wife and baby girl waiting for me and, of course, they are very dear to me. Because I am so young, really don’t know what I should say and not say, in this letter. But I made a promise and it is not within me to fail it. I met Eugene very shortly after his arrival in New Guinea. We moved into the same tent and at once became good friends. He was always singing and had a smile for all. Soon his nick-name “Happy” leaked out and spread like wild fire because it seemed to fit him so perfectly. Soon after that he became my assistant. He learned fast and was always ready and eager to help me in any way. Upon leaving our staging area, we never separated day or night. We went through some trying times together but Eugene was never one to complain. On the same day that Eugene was hit, I too got hit. I am still in the hospital and as yet unable to leave my bed. There is little more that I can tell you now. You understand about censorship rules. Before I close though, as a servant of the Lord, let me add a few words. Eugene accepted Christ as his Saviour. Every night before retiring, he read his Bible and had his prayer. Often we would read together aloud. I have a firm testimony of the gospel myself. I have diligently searched the scriptures and I know, as surely as I live, that Eugene is now with our Saviour and happy. I whis that I could quote you some Bible references but perhaps you know them better than I. Many times things seem to be so terribly twisted and wrong but somehow God seems to tell me, as He did Paul to the Romans, that all things are for the best. Most certainly God knows best and I bear you my testimony that He leads us back to Him if we will only listen and follow as Eugene did. Each of us, as the scriptures explain, have our individual work to perform. No one else can do it for us. I feel that Eugene completed very well his task and God had prepared greater things for him to do. He was ready so God called him. If there is ever anything that I can do for you or anything I can tell you, you can reach me through the Army address or preferably through my wife, whose address is Mrs. Violet May Mills, Elfrida, Arizona. Before attempting to write this letter, I prayed that the Lord might through the Holy Ghost inspire me in the words to say. Now that I have finished, I feel that my letter has grown too long and I wonder if I helped you any or made matters worse. It is impossible to put into words of speech what I feel in my heart, but let me comfort you and share with you in this great sorrow we feel. We will miss Eugene very much.
Now I am humbly your servant. Elder Jack Mills.
- Rank: Private
- Date of birth: 31 May 1924
- Date of death: 26 March 1944
- County: Greene
- Hometown: Chuckey
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Calvary Division
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: River Hill Cemetery, Greeneville, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar IX, Middle Panel
- Sponsored by: Doug Ricker
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