While driving a truck in a convoy to China, Red became ill and was checked at the 18th General Hospital in Myitkyina, Burma.  He was cleared to return to duty.  Continuing on, his condition worsened and he and one of his men were flown back to the 20th General Hospital in Ledo.  They were diagnosed with a type of infantile paralysis.  On September 15, 1945, Red died of polio.  Engaged to be married, one of his friends had to convey the terrible news in a letter to his finacée.