While going through the General Stuff Notebook #2 awhile back I came across an AWON newsletter. That's American World War II Orphan's Network. I was a member for awhile b/c mom is a World War II orphan. The newsletter suggested requesting an IDPF [individual deceased personnel file] because many World War II service records were destroyed in a fire at the St. Louis archives in the 1970s. Which is what happened to Harold Erkman's service record. So I wrote to the National Archives and got a letter back that the file existed and for photocopy fee they would send it to me and they did and it arrived today! [Nov. 13th] And being a government file, it is in reverse chronological order.
Document 1: Receipt of Remains - Day Letter
J.F. Combs Funeral Service, Wayne City, Illinois
Remains of the Late PFC. Harold E. Erkman being shipped to you accompanied by military escort. On train number 1-123 C&EI RR [Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad] leaving Chicago 10:00 pm CST Friday 20 August 1948 and due to arrive Wayne City, Ill., 11:24 am CST Sat. 21 August 1948. Request that you immediately inform the next of kin and make arrangements to accept remains at station upon arrival. Refer to control number 8244.
Carroll J. Grinnell, Lt. Col. QMC