The following is a letter written from Lt. Dieter Dengler to the family of Gene DeBruin. The text has not been edited grammatically in order to preserve the historical integrity of Dieter's words.
October 24, 1966
To the DeBruin Familie,
This is the hardest letter that I ever had to write. It is so hard to say in a letter what I have to say, but I want to try hard to give you a clear picture. First I want to thank you for your letter and then I will excuse myself for letter you wait so long for an answer. I’m sure you can imagine how busy I am with debriefs, meetings, hospital, etc. I am well. I will leave the hospital the end of this month (I hope).
Now to Eugene. I was put in prison with E. February 14, 1966 from then on he was on my left for the time until we escaped. E. was in good health. He needed dental work but had no pain. He had no disease, his body had adapted to the conditions, and I would say he weighed 145 pounds. He was well together. Don’t forget that there was no shortage of food (rice until May 1966) they had had all the rice they wanted, also they were in good hands as far as the guards go. All this changed in March when we got a new Comp Commander, he was a bad egg. He would take away the little rights we had, like hot water, etc. They could boil their own water. None were wounded when they were hit. They had lived in many prisons, only once they were interrogated but he was not harmed other than hit with sticks. He had a long red beard which he shaved off twice between February and July. He told me much about the prisons, small harassment, things like that, none of which did endanger his health. In May he had poison ivy, got over it in June. No Freedom that was it, we called him the Indian he got so red and mad but had learned to keep it to himself. When E. was captured he got one clothing issue, 2 trousers, 1 shirt, underwear, soap, tooth paste and brush. Incidentally, we had tooth paste until we escaped. Those clothes were rags of course, but much better than some of us who never got any clothes. He had had a comb, learned to play chess, and once a week we sang navy songs. He had dreams about a girl from his class. He told me about your pickles and that sausage you make, the hot biscuits and how well you fed the whole family, and about he electric welder. The cars (trailers) with inflatable tires, the house his father built, the electric wiring his father had done, the work his father did with his combine or something like that and the people would keep their deal. We talked about his time in the Air Force, when he came home and surprised everyone, his time in Missoula, Alaska, etc. Lots we talked about, his hunting, ice fishing with his old car, his trip to Mexico, and he regretted so much that he hadn’t had kept better contact with his home, but farm life was not for him. He said, whoever makes it out, tell my parents: “I meant no harm, don’t hold a grudge on him for leaving home,” he just wasn’t cut out for it. He respected you very much. His father could do anything, his mother the best mother, the best cook. He once in 1964 received a letter from you, also a postcard from his father (a forest, a river and some houses). He still had his glasses. He wanted to go back to Mexico, but after he had come home. We never received any package. They got one from Red Cross in ’64. He had the label Pork and Beans. I was a stubborn German, he was out peacemaker, he didn’t get excited, kind and good, always shared with others, what a son you have. He had medicine, good pills, which we sometimes needed for dissentery. When we planned for the escape he did his share. We saved rice and dried it. He and the Chinese had twice the amount of everyone else, because the Chinese was not in excellent health and had a hard time walking. The pairing was E. decision. They had been friends for years now and he wanted to help the Chi. All of our chances were equal when we escaped, we all had green cloth, medicine, a machete, salt, rice. We had no shoes that would be good for long. On the rice alone we could survive for 4 to 5 weeks without jungle supplement. He knew the root, leaves, etc. much better that the two of us since he had lived with it so long. The Chinese spoke perfect English. They both had weapons and ammo (ammunition), but I think they would only use it in an emergency. They had the U.S. M-1. The jungle is rough, but plenty of food, if you are able to stay someplace. He also had one fish hook, a needle and thread, 3 buttons, a small rope. 4 hours after I was rescued I gave our position. They immediately started to search and did so and are doing now. I have heard nothing from any of the others. I was so lucky to find a chute to lay out an S.O.S. The Chinese had a white shirt, good for signaling. I cannot give you any hope, there are many animals, snakes, etc. that are harmful. As you know, I lost also my companion (Duane Martin). We had so many places of meeting after we all would be free. Well this is very hard on you but also hard on me. Since we all became the best of friends. If I hear anything, you will know first, I promise.
Your friend
Dieter