In a heartbreaking tale of love, a diary written by an American soldier killed during the Second World War has been reunited with the high-school sweetheart who gave it to him almost 70 years ago.
Now 90 years of age, Laura-Mae Davis Burlingame was visiting the National World War 11 Museum in New Orleans when she spotted the gift she had given to her 22-year-old beau at the time, the Scotsman reports.
The diary had been recovered after he died and eventually donated to the war museum.
“I figured I’d see pictures of him and the fellows he’d served with and articles about where he served. I didn’t have any idea there was a diary,” Laura-Mae said of her trip to the museum.
Corporal Thomas “Cotton” Jones wrote his first diary entry less than a year before he was killed.
On the first page of the little book he wrote: “my life history of my days in the US Marine Corps … And most of all my love for Laura Mae for whom my heart is completely filled.
“So if you all get a chance please return it to her. I [am] writing this as my last life request.”
Jones had written about his girlfriend in the diary and had stuck a photo of her inside the back cover. She had signed the photo for him, “Love Laurie”.
The pair met at high school in 1941 and they dated throughout their school days, going to the end-of-school prom together too. Jones had given his class ring to Laura as a gesture, but she said they weren’t engaged.
After graduating, Jones went on to join the 1st Marine Division’s L Company, 3rd Battalion.
His final diary entry read that (if he was home in time); “Laura Mae & I would really have a wonderful Xmas”.
The first love of Laura Mae’s life was killed on the Pacific island of Peleliu in an attack against the Japanese.
Laura-Mae later married an Army Air Corps serviceman who knew Jones well.
Cover Pic: AP
