NATCHEZ &8212; When Joe Sam Moritz&8217;s friend was killed in combat in the last days of World War II, John Smelcer&8217;s dying words were a plea to God to take care of his 3-year-old son.

And 61 years later, Moritz finally met Smelcer&8217;s only son.

William Smelcer met Moritz for the first time face-to-face Wednesday. At Moritz&8217;s Natchez home, Tennessee resident Bill Smelcer heard how his father fought and died helping to push the Germans out of Italy, he said.

&8220;It&8217;s been kind of emotional, I guess you might say,&8221; Smelcer said.

The two soldiers, both of whom were drafted, served in the 363rd infantry of the 91st division of the U.S. 5th Army.

Moritz, who escaped the mortar attack without a scratch, said he always wondered about his friend&8217;s son.

So when Moritz&8217;s oldest son, Eugene, searched the Internet and contacted Smelcer about two years ago, Moritz said he was thrilled.

&8220;I&8217;m so proud we found him,&8221; Moritz said.

Smelcer pulled out an album full of letters from his father to show Moritz. Even though his father only had a third-grade education, Smelcer said, he wrote his son regularly.

&8220;My loving fine little bright eyed and curly haired little man,&8221; one begins.

&8220;He always called me that (in the letters),&8221; Smelcer said.

The only things he said the army sent home after his father&8217;s death were a buffalo nickel and a picture of his son.

He only knew his father through the letters and what family members could tell him.

&8220;I never knew my dad, I have no memory of him, only what people have told me,&8221; he said. &8220;I wish I could have known him.&8221;

And Wednesday, he got one step closer, as Moritz told him how his father died.

&8220;He was a good soldier,&8221; Moritz said.

Smelcer said it was worth the drive from Meridian, where his son currently works.

&8220;I&8217;ve been able to hear, from the man who was right with my dad, his last words,&8221; he said.