My late mother had two instances of "speculation" about my injury and demise, that really affected her for many years after.
1. While at sea in WestPac, someone in Europe with the same unusually spelled name as I was killed in a plane crash. The news wires picked up the story with my name.
The first thing my mother heard while walking on main street in our small 4,000 population town, was people coming up to her with condolences on the "loss of her son." She was extremely distressed, and didn't know who to call or what to do but to cry.
Later she was quite happily surprised when I called her from Cubi Pt. a day or too later. I had no idea the emotional trauma she went through.
2. While jogging in Atsugi during an in-port period, I blew out my knee. I stayed at the Yokosuka Hosiptal, awaiting MedEvac to Balboa NH in San Dog.
The CO of the Naval Hospital was 'kind' enough to send a "Telegram" to my mother that said essentially:
"Your son has been injured. But rest assured, he is under the best of care at the Yokosuka Naval Hospital." In those days, telegrams usually meant very bad news.
Now since my mother really worried I would not survive Vietnam, and I had been flying combat missions, she thought I had some really serious, combat injuries.
Bottom line: Always think of family and kin, if you need to speculate. And make sure they all have been well notified first, at the very least.
