Death and Impact
Final Mission
January 3, 1945 was the day the Jokers Wild would fly their last mission. Their mission was to bomb Nagoya, Japan. They were about 90 miles from their home base of Saipan when they contacted their comrades confirming that the mission was a success. The plane never returned and none of the 12 personnel on board were found. No one knows what happened. On January 4th, 1946, Sergeant Kolb was presumed to be dead. Impact The family was devastated when they received the news of the plane being lost. Audrey in particular had a difficult time accepting what had happened. She wrote that she was in school at the time and another student had gone home for lunch. The boy's mother sent him to a nearby store to pick something up for her, the same store that received telegrams regarding the war. When the boy heard the news, he announced it to the class once he returned. Audrey's "Ebby" had become a casualty of war. She recalled that someone had to take her home. Personal Effects Edward’s father wrote a letter to the Army Effects Bureau in Kansas City Missouri on December 5th, 1945 which reads as follows: “Gentleman, If you can give me any information concerning my boy in any way I would greatly appreciate it. I have never learned anything only that he was missing in action. Yours truly, WS Kolb” On November 28th,1945 Captain A.G. Schumacher responded to W.S.’ letter with a check for $91 that was found along with Edward’s other property in base storage. Other belongings in storage were the following: a fountain pen, an empty wallet, a military kit, a sewing kit, a photo album, composition books, various articles of clothing, a check for $91, but no tobacco for Edward did not smoke. The Army sent W.S. another letter containing Edward’s flight record and confirming that any addition property would be sent to him if it were found. |
Commemoration
Edward had reached Sergeant before his death and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal for his selfless service and great sacrifice in the Pacific during WWII. Sergeant Kolb is memorialized in the Court 7 of the Courts of the Missing in Honolulu, Hawaii. After his death, Audrey was the recipient of his military life insurance policy; this paid for her college education. By now Edward may feel familiar; he should. Edward was and is all around us. He is your brother, your son, your friend, and your father. Edward was one of thousands of Mississippians and one of hundreds of thousands of Americans who willingly fell victims to the horrors of war in the hopes that their sacrifices would lead to a better world and brighter future for humanity. Inside of every Sergeant Kolb is someone's "Ebby." These men are not numbers; They are people. These men are not just America's warriors; They are humanity's warriors. We must not forsake our fallen heroes. |