Christmas this year will be celebrated by most American
families with aching thoughts for some absent member fighting on a
distant battlefield. In the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Ostler on
Broadway, Chelsea, the loneliness will be multiplied eightfold, for
this quiet, retiring family has eight sons in service, one of them,
Charles, 31, recently killed in action.
The walls of the cream-colored living room are literally
papered with inumerable decorations, citations, purple hearts and
letters of praise from high ranking officers. One is signed by
President Roosevelt, another by General Marshall, still another by
General Kenney. All of them have the same theme–the heroism of the
Ostler boys in action.
The eldest, PFC Charles J. Ostler, 31, was killed in Italy the
day Rome fell. He had fought through the entire African and Italian
campaigns, been wounded, decorated, recovered and placed back in
action at his own insistance. He was one of the sacrifices America
had to make to drive the Germans from that ancient and noble city.
The other seven are still fighting. Three at an unknown
location in Belgium, two in England, one in parts unknown and one in
this country to attend a medical operation for his father. Before his
illness the father worked for a coal company. Both he and Mrs. Ostler
are proud of their sons in their shy quiet way, and often muse at the
message sent by President Roosevelt on the death of their eldest. The
message reads:
“He dared to die so the freedom might live … in a way that
humbles the undertaking of most men…” Another message reads:
“He did not die in vain, for he kept the United States flag unstained…”
Always exceeding cheerful and reserved, the parents now have
new worries. Another set of twins, 14-year-old Richard and Lawrence,
haunt the local draft board in hope their age will be overlooked and
they get into service.
The only girl in the family is 17-year-old Marylin, who wants
to enlist in the WAC. Alan, 26, has tried repeatedly to get into the
service but he lacks one arm. Mr. and Mrs. Ostler smile patiently and
wait – hope in their eyes.
In any listing of America’s First Families, proudly list the Ostlers.
