Bing Crosby had a No. 1 hit in 1943, “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” though it was originally written from the point of view of soldiers overseas. It has since become a traditional tune, but back in the turbulent 40s, when 298,000 American died while serving their country, the song also carried a melancholy line, “I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.” Not everyone did.
“I’ll be home for …
