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can keep this part of the letter on file for when I do get home. Here is the first dinner I would like to have you cook for me after I get off the train. You can invite anyone you wish to, but ah, yes, the menu- let's see now, a nice pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, pickles and olives, Waldorf-Astoria salad, creamed wax beans, applesauce, sweet-potatoes and a pineapple juice drink. For dessert: coffee, one of your chocolate layer cakes, (is three layers too much?) one of grandma's apple pies and a big dish of chocolate pudding with lots of whipped cream. Do you think it's possible, or am I asking a little too much?" After three and a half years of waiting for their son to come home with the other men who were capture on Bataan, Corregidor, and other islands in the Philippines, the Witts hoped for the safe return of their son. When news of his death reached his home in Chicago, Robert's mother spoke with several survivors, and discovered that her son had indeed survived the death march, but was later taken to a hospital by his friend, Sgt. Robert Bell, just before Witt died of starvation and malaria in the brain at Camp O'Donnell. Sgt. Bell told Eda Witt that Robert was held against a wall, and maggot-infested rice was shoved into his mouth. Because he wouldn't eat the worm-ridden rice, Robert was slowly starved to death. Eda Witt reflected on the life of her well-behaved son who loved to play baseball and ping-pong. Robert's belongings were never returned, and any death certificates were destroyed. "We can only be thankful that Robert missed three years of torture." Mrs. Witt replied.

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