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[letterhead: UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS]
"B" COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 27TH MARINES, 5TH MARINE DIVISION, C/O FLEET POST OFFICE, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA]
IN REPLYING REFER TO No. EMO/dws
9 June, 1945.
Dear Mrs. Moorefield:
It is with deep regret that I take this occasion to write you of the loss of your brother, Jewell. I understand in a small way the grief you have known since receiving word of his passing, for we lived with him and fought alongside of him until the time he made the supreme sacrifice.
Jewell's courage and coolness under fire was a continual source of inspiration to those men near him in action. Because of the natural ability he possessed as a leader, he was always in the forefront when danger was greatest. Both, in training and in combat, the highest tribute I can pay Jewell is that he was a "good Marine."
On February 28, 1945, our company was assaulting Hill "362", a commanding area, the capture of which was vital to the success of the entire Iwo Jima operation. It was the second day of the assault for progress was slow due to the maze of enemy pillboxes and caves. Jewell's platoon, under his leadership, was instrumental in destroying several of these enemy positions when he was hit by a sniper's bullet. Medical attention was immediately administered and Jewell was being evacuated to the rear when he was again hit, the wound this time being fatal. He was buried March 4, 1945, in the Division Cemetary, with all the honor that his comrades could bestow on one who did his job so magnificently and so gloriously. Jewell's final resting place is in Plot #4, Row #2, Grave #840, Fifth Marine Division Cemetary, Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands.
We in "B" Company share your grief, yet we feel that perhaps God needed to make Heaven a little brighter, and so He called on a man like Jewell to help Him. If we can at any time be of aid to you, please do not hesitate to call on Jewell's friends and comrades of "B" Company.
Sincerely, [signature] Edward M. O'Herron, Jr., Captain, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Commanding.
Mrs. Eva E. Moorefield, 706 Forest Avenue, High Point, North Carolina.