Chapter Six
POWs and Ft. Sheridan
Friday 21 June 1991
Sam finished his staff meeting with First Sergeant Kent in record time because he was anxious to follow up on Culbertson. The night before, he'd decided to find Jonathan Culbertson and ask him directly about the diary's contents. Of course, somebody wouldn't find records for that time on post, so Sam called his old friend. "Dana, I need a favor."
"So, what else is new? Who did you piss off now—the Post Commander? Or did you just go straight to the General Staff?" Dana replied. Dana loved to needle him. And Sam was such a target-rich environment that Dana usually had a good time at Sam's expense. But Sam knew it was in good fun, and he could tell by the sound of his voice that Dana was just needling him.
"Very funny. I haven't done shit. I just need you to check some records for me."
"You mean you haven't done shit yet!" Dana shot back. "Okay, I'll bite. What do you need?"
"I want you to call your friends in Washington and find out what happened to someone. Was he discharged, died, AWOL, or what? And I need it ASAP."
"Who is it and why?" Dana asked.
"The man's name is Jonathan P. Culbertson. He was a sergeant with the 21st Finance Company at Fort Sheridan."
"That should be easy, Sam. Call the Personnel Office on post, and they can pull his records. What do you need me for?"
"He was assigned here some time ago, and they don't have his records here."
"When? When did he supposedly get discharged, go AWOL, or whatever?"
"Around September," Sam replied. He paused, then added, "1945."
"1945! What's going on, Sam?"
"I don't know, but I'm sure this guy can quickly set it straight. Remember the photos and papers I showed you at the house last week?"
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