★ 한국동란 으로 잃어버린 아빠 를 생각 하 며 1 ( English ) 한국 전 6 . 25 동란 때 에 남편 , 아버지 , 형제 , 친구 , 자식 을 잃 은 사람 들 의 사연 을 여기 에 소개 합니다 . 편지 하나 하나 에 애절 한 사연 이 담겨 있 습니다 . 퍼온 사이트 : http : / / www . koreanwar . org / Letters To The Lost From KoreaHome Page Letters To The Lost - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 2 - Written By : Suzi Horowitz ( Cherry ) Atlanta GA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Dear Daddy , I was almost 5 years old when you went missing in action in July 1951 . Mommy was left with myself and 2 other daughters . I only remember one thing about you . Your arms outstrectched to me to pick me up . Mommy is gone now too and always had trouble talking about you . I learned more from your brother and sister than from anyone . I know that you were an Eagle Scout , a bomber pilot and loved this country very much . We moved around alot Daddy . We lived in Idaho , Nevada , California and Florida . Mommy always said I looked most like you and that caused some problems because Mommy couldn ' t deal , became an alcoholic and was abusive . I went to school in all those places , graduated from high school in Florida and went on to Beauty School . I practiced 11 years as a cosmetologist and married Gary Horowitz , a Viet Nam helicopter pilot , in 1968 . He was a wonderful person , gave me two beautiful sons and died of cancer in 1999 . I started working for physicians as a medical biller and administrative assistant in 1980 and am now , after working with internal medicine doctors , surgeons and eye doctors , working for a company that sells hearing aids and does hearing testing . I still miss you and cry for the lost times . You were so young , 25 , and never really got a chance to live . I was told that you had an injury to your back and almost didn ' t get in the military but you fought very hard to be able to join , did , and served your country proudly . We ' ve wondered over the years if you were still alive somewhere and at various times people contacted Mommy and said you were cited . Those times were doubly hard . I have kept in touch with your family . Your Mother and Father are gone now . Your sister is still alive in Iowa and your brother may not be alive now . He has brain cancer and I have been unable to contact his wife lately . I still love you and miss you so very much . The only satisfaction I have is knowing you were doing something you loved . I think you would be proud of me . I pride myself on being a caring , good person . I love you , Daddy . Suzi Dee Horowitz ( Cherry ) Atlanta , GA Editor Note : 17 th Bomb Group , 34 th Bomb Squadron - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 3 - Written By : Katherine B . Ware - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Dearest Bruce , It is Veterans ' Day down here and , as always , I am remembering the wonderful life we shared together . But , I think of you every day , not just on Veterans Day and Memorial Day . I ' ve been determined that you would not be forgotten . I am writing because a wonderful , dedicated group is going to read aloud letters to MIAs on November the 11 th , on what used to be Armistice Day , from the site of the Korean War Memorial . Brucie , your daughter , will write you herself . She and I are very close ; we have been so ever since she was born ; I was determined she would know her father ' s family . Dixey eventually did marry again , but she never stopped being in love with you . Still , the man she married was a wonderful parent to Brucie . Dixie died several years ago , but I am sure you know that , since you and she are together up there . You , our wonderful mother , Tom and Gardner and my fantastic husband , Joe Bres , all have died . Joe died just 3 months ago . We had six children , and seven grandchildren . I want you to know that as many as we could gathered together in the Spring of 2001 to commemorate a place for you , with a headstone provided by the Navy , in a special section of Arlington National Cemetery . It was a marvelous , marvelous time together ; I felt that you were right there with us through it all . I hope you hear this letter , Bruce . Please know that your name is a household word in my family ; you will never be forgotten . I love you with all my heart - your sister , Jere LT ( jg ) Bruce Bowen Lloyd , USN was born on June 2 , 1926 in Washington , DC . His parents were Ada Clarke Bowen and Thomas Leslie Lloyd . With his mother and his sister , Jere , Bruce moved to Shreveport , LA in 1930 . He graduated from Byrd High School in 1943 . Bruce then began his Navy career by enrolling in the Navy ' s V - 12 program at Louisiana Tech during WWII . His service lasted three years and included assignment to the Great Lakes Training Station in Chicago . At its completion , Bruce had a brief exposure to the family business of his half - brothers , Tom and Gardner Lloyd , in Albion , Michigan . He then attended LSU in Baton Rouge , Louisiana . In 1949 Bruce left LSU to rejoin the Navy and reported to the Pensacola Naval Air Station for flight training . He won his wings in mid - 1950 . As an Ensign , USN , he was transferred to Moffett Field , CA to await orders to a carrier in the Pacific Fleet . Back in Shreveport , on Nov . 11 , 1950 at St . Mark ' s Episcopal Church - where for years , Bruce served as crucifer - Marilyn Margot Dixey became his bride . Tom , Gardner and Jere were members of the wedding party . In late Spring 1951 , Bruce was deployed to the USS Princeton , then operating in the Sea of Japan , and was tasked with flying strike missions against land based supply activities in the Hwachon Reservoir area of North Korea . He flew an F 9 F - 2 Panther jet with Squadron VF - 23 , Air Group 19 X , VF 191 . On July 28 , 1951 , during an armed reconnaissance mission , his plane was hit by antiaircraft fire . The plane burned and crashed on a hillside near Majon - Ni . Bruce was not seen to leave the plane . Search and rescue efforts found nothing at the site except burned ground . Bruce was immediately classified as MIA . ( Later , during bureaucratic proceedings in January 1956 , his file was reclassified " Killed in Action . ") On January 14 , 1952 , Bruce ' s daughter , Marilyn Bruce Lloyd ( " Brucie ") was born to " Dixey " in Shreveport . Some years later , Brucie was legally adopted by her stepfather , Albert Cowan . Brucie was married in 1972 and her children - Bruce ' s granddaughters - are Ashley Lloyd Glassell Farr , Marilyn Michael Glassell and Wesley Piper Glassell . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 5 - Written By : Dennis E . Skorheim Park River ND - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- October 30 , 2006 Dear Clyde Bearstail , You were in front of me June 8 th 1951 when a round came in and took you from us , a day I have never forgotten . I am so glad you told me you were from Newtown North Dakota , so that I could one day find a part of your family . After 47 years I finally met your daughter Gwen and her family . It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and so many of your family were there . Your Native American family are great people with so much respect for veterans . I met your daughter Kathy in California a couple years later , you have two wonderful daughters . Kathy , who was not born when you died . Now you have grandchildren and great grandchildren . My life has been good . I have 6 children , 17 grand children and 6 great grandchildren . My first wife died from cancer in 1989 . I was lucky enough to get married again in 1993 . Life has been good for me but I shall never forget each of you who didn ' t come home . I fly the flag each day to honor each of you , I shall never forget you . God Bless You , Dennis Skorheim - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 6 - Written By : Donald B . Geddes Sonoma CA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Dear Cliff , Since I last saw you in Udam - ni North Korea I have accomplished many of the things you could not since they put your body to rest in Hagaru . After discharge I met and married a beautiful young lady and we had seven wonderful children , who to date have given us 22 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren . A great and wonderful posterity . When I look at them , I sometimes think of you being denied these blessings . Soon after discharge I entered the civilian work force , and not having completed high school began cleaning toilets for a large oil company . The dream of every Marine . To be " head man ". I began night school under the G . I . Bill and eventually graduated with a B . A . in art education . Finding a position in a hight school I anchored myself there for 29 years before retiring . I and my wife and family have had many wonderful experience . Living in Mexico for one year while working on a Masters Degree , and later after the children left the nest to China for one year ( that ' s right , CHINA ) to teach English . I met one Korean veteran there who could have been the one that shot us both . I have since come to the realization that in spite of the wars and inhumanity men and nations inflict on each other , there is a God who grieves over what we do to each other . But He rarely intervenes because He has given us all " free choice " and all will be accountable for there actions . All who are , or have been responsible for the carnage and lost lives will get their reward . I will , as we all must , join you on the other side of that veil called death in a different and glorious eternal relationship . Save a place for me . Semper Fidelis Don - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 7 - Written By : Janis ( Jan ) Curran Diamond Bar CA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Nov 1 , 2006 Dear Dad , Today is my birthday so I thought this would be the perfect day to write this letter . It has been difficult for me , I have pondered over what I wanted to say for days and every time I try to write it , I find it is too hard for me and so I postponed it . We have missed you every single day that you have been gone , over 55 years now . Some days are harder than others , especially the happiest days like weddings , and the births of your grandchildren and great grandchildren , even one great - great grandchild . I wish you could have known them . I feel the worst when I think of how sad you must have been after you were captured and then realized you were probably not going to get home to us . I ’ m sure you worried about how your loss would affect our entire family . When I am feeling selfish , I find myself wishing that you hadn ’ t been quite so brave to put yourself in harm ’ s way , but most of the time I am proud that you were the type of person who risked his own life for the benefit of others . Thank you for making my family so proud . Love , Janis Editor Note : Lt . Garrision flew with VF - 884 off the USS Boxer - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 8 - Written By : Anonymous - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Thanks for the letter Hal . I wish I knew how to write such a letter . I lost a lot of friends over there . Several pilots , navagators and gunners . I was a gunner and had a job to do . I still get nightmares about it . I was told by several pilots that I could fly with them anytime as I did what I was trained to do . Editor Note : the KWP has received dozens of similar replies . I am sure that all of us understand . Thus , the few shall speak for the many . - Ted Barker | Hal Barker - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 9 - Written By : Bonnie O ' Lee - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- October 24 , 2006 Dad you did survive Korea . .. You are gone from us now . You never really talked about what you did for our Country . I pieced together some things and I looked at your scrap book . I now know why I was almost half an orphan when I was born . You were MIA for awhile . I know when you finally came back to your group you didn ' t know I had been born until you asked what they were celebrating . And I honor your friends that didn ' t make it back . I saw their pictures today actually . ... The scrap book . Still being stubborn and such . Life is good as you would call it . ... Brad is taking good care of me . No worries . I ' m still have a job and we still have the house . You should take a look at the potters shed we put in the back yard . Even you would be proud . The wind mill is still there and so is the bird bath . . Love , Bonnie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 10 - Written By : Bob Justus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- October 24 , 2006 Echoes from the Hills Don ' t forget our POW - MIAs Bob N . Justus The following letter was written by TSgt Mike Minton , AFRES , and printed in the Tehachapi News , Tehachapi , Calif . ( near Bakersfield ) . The POWMIA Riders Veteran ’ s Motorcycle Club , of which he is a member , keeps the Missing MIAs before the public . Raleigh Patterson , my friend , the retired police officer of Antioch , Calif . , is a member of this motorcycle club . It seems there are more flags displayed on the July 4 than any other American holiday . While my allegiance to the flag is unwavering , there is another flag , not as prominently displayed as Old Glory that is equally worth of respect and tribute , the POW / MIA flag . There are 58 , 249 names listed on the Vietnam Veteran ’ s Memorial Wall . Approximately 1 , 200 of these names are listed as missing ( MIA ’ s , POW ’ s and others ) . I cannot imagine the emptiness one must feel to have to grow up not knowing a parent lost to war , or worse , not having the closure of knowing what happened or where it happened . To countless families and comrades this feeling of emptiness is unremitting . So why do we fly the POW / MIA flag ? … We fly the flag as a symbol of our concern and commitment to achieving the fullest possible accounting of Americans who still remain unaccounted for . .. You are not forgotten , four simple words that represent so much to so many . Take a moment to reflect on this when the nation honors its POW ’ s and MIA ’ s on Sept . 15 . In Korea men were killed or came up missing in my outfit , but something happened to someone important to me that had a profound effect upon my life . I , too , cannot forget the MIAs . Col . Sherman R . Beaty commanded the Third Bomb Group at K - 8 , Kunsan AB , on the west coast of South Korea . The three squadrons ; 8 th , 13 th and 90 th of the Group flew B - 26 Invaders or " Night Intruder " twin - engine bombers , which were fast and capable of carrying heavy loads of bombs and other armament . Since the Communist Chinese and N . Korean troops and supplies moved mostly at night , the B - 26 bombers specialized in low level night attacks against truck convoys and trains . Bridges and factories were also targets . Flak was often heavy . Col . Beaty was a veteran of bombing missions against the Germans in the European campaigns . He had a few happy years with his family before the Communist North Koreans suddenly invaded South Korea . As a young enlisted clerk I worked in a small room off the colonel ' s office . He was always calm no matter how urgent the problem or how hectic the situation . He earned our respect and affection by inspiring us with his dedication and leadership qualities . He led from the front and flew dangerous missions along with other combat flight crews . He and another pilot were tied for the lead locomotive ace with 12 destroyed . From time to time Col . Beaty came into my room for a cup of coffee from the always ready coffee pot . Often he had another officer with him and they would chat about events . At times when alone he would talk to me in a natural , unassuming way that put me at ease . Like others in his command I began to look upon him as not just a remote CO but as someone who really cared for me as an individual and whose presence reassured and gave comfort . One night Col . Beatty and crew failed to return from a mission . I saw officers with eagles and oak leaves on their shoulders with tears in their eyes . I also shed tears . Many flights were made over his proposed route trying to find a crash site , but without success . Then his and the crew ' s names went on the Missing in Action ( MIA ) list . one year later , though I did not know it then , he and the crew were reported “ presumed dead . When the Korean Armistice was signed the UN Allies failed to hold the Communist North Koreans and Chinese properly accountable for missing American servicemen . There were many reports in later years that some Americans were still POWs in North Korea , China or Russia . As of June 1 , 2000 , for the Korean War there were still 8 , 176 unaccounted for Americans ( KIA , MIA , POW , etc ) , per the All POW - MIA website . From time to time some bodies are still being found . Sept . 15 is the official National POW / MIA Recognition Day . In the same week we honor patriots on Patriots Day , Sept . 11 . Our missing veterans merit the same high honor . They are our patriots too . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 11 - Written By : John Scott Porterfield - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- October 24 , 2006 Forgive me but I feel compelled to write this all of you who helped me find the " who " that my Father was . I make no excuses for sounding melodramatic about my emails to you . I mean them . I write them as I feel them from the bottom of my heart . I sit here , 50 years after that terrible battle of Jackson Heights , and wonder at the courage , the bravery , and pain that was on that bloody hill . I move on . I can ' t remember my Father , but over the years , I believe I have felt him near me . He was not around to teach me how to fish , play baseball , or how to box down the bullies that tormented me in my youth . I carried his dogtags around my neck from the time I was fourteen until I was 35 . The burden became to much to bear at that time . I just figured I would never know who he was . I had to cast it aside . The years droned on . I found the Korean War Project page one day and put a note out there regarding my Father . Things began to happen . I open up my email one night and there is a note from a gentlemen who wants to know if I am the son of John D . Porterfield , Jr . who was with his brother in law in Korea . He says that something my Father wrote is on his brother ' s memorial . Suddenly , I can ' t hear anymore . I then remember letters written from brother to brother during that terrible conflict . I find them . The name that is spoken in the email , stares back at me in a letter 50 years old , yellow and tattered . I then get an email from the son of the co of the other company stuck on that terrible rock on that terrible day . He gives me his Father ' s phone number . We leave several voice mails and then we connect . I am not ashamed to say that after speaking with this hero , I hang up and call my brother , Gary , who was six months old when our Father was killed , and was unseen by the man who gave him his name . I made it through about half a sentence and I can ' t talk anymore . My wife picks up the phone and makes excuses . I then get an email from Col Clark , whom I speak with and correspond with to this day . I then talk with the soldier , who with my Father , went out under enemy fire to rescue their comrade , whom they found dying . They brought his body back and mourned him greatly . I have listened to the voice of this dead hero ' s sister , who misses him . He taught her to fish when they were smaller . She has not been whole without him , lo these many years . But have any of us , who have lost friends and loved ones during that awful time ? I think not . I fly to Little Rock and spend the day with Bud Cronhkite , who shared that bloody ground with those heroes on that day . I think of him often . I have spoken several times with the forward observer , who felt that awful shell whistle over him and strike the command post and make heroes , orphans , and empty men for the rest of our days . In the past week , I have spoken with the radio man who was several feet away when what was a man vanished before his eyes . I have become aware that all of you that survived that war , somehow feel guilt that you did . I would reply to you . ... that it was not your time . You were left behind to have families , teach your sons and daughters to play baseball , fish , and knock down bullies . I am glad that you had this gift of life to do those things . I am glad that you had this time to talk to me . Best , John Scott Porterfield Editor Note : John D . Porterfield was with the 65 th Infantry Regiment , 3 rd ID when he was killed on 10 / 21 / 1952 John Scott and I met on July 27 th 1995 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial , overlooking the crowd from the dedication of the National Korean War Veterans Memorial . - Ted Barker - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 12 - Written By : Sylvia Groden Forest Hills NY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- To P . F . C . Alfred Gold - Lost since July 6 , 1953 from his sister Sylvia Gold Groden Dearest Freddie , There is not a day that passes when I don ' t think about you -- What could have , what would have been if you were with us ! Ivan and I love you and our children and grandchildren know everything there is to know about you . Karen and her husband Joel -- Our oldest daughter have a daughter and a son . Arlene , who was born two years later ( and named after you ) has two sons . You can be very proud of your nieces and grand nephews and grand niece ( who we call our " Princess "). All have graduated from college and hold responsible jobs . Karen ' s son Jason is an opera singer and as an extra job he sings the National Anthem at the Nassau Colliseum before every New York Islander Hockey Game . Arlene ' s son David is based on Wall Street , lives in Manhattan and is doing very well . Melissa is a successful administrator at Hofstra University . Your aunt Arlene lives in Rosewell , Georgia and her youngest son , Evan , is a Phys Ed teacher only 15 minutes from her home . Ivan and I have both been retired since 1991 and for two old folks we are doing quite well . I am glad to have this opportunity to express our love and devotion to you . You will always be part of our lives . I have done everything I could to find you . We have even established an Alfred Gold Scholarship Fund in one of our local schools here . You are always in our thoughts and have never given up the thought that someday you will be brought back to your own people who love you . Your Sister Sylvia Groden - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 13 - Written By : Reva ( Miller ) Cox - LaFountain Rochester MI - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Private Herbert King Heaven C / O God Dear Pvt . Herbert , You were married to my sister Allie , but by that time I was already married and had moved away to Michigan . I did know and remember you as a likable and kind young man , and was very happy that you were to be my brother - in - law . Our parents loved you and trusted you . The had a small grocery store at that time and if you needed something , they just handed you the key . They just let you get what you needed , and that was before you were their son - in - law . We were very , very sad that you had to leave our family at such a young age . Now your wife Allie has gone to be with you in heaven . Reva ( Miller ) Cox - LaFountain - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 14 - Written By : Eva M . Wagner Buhl ID - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Paul Richard Wagner Buhl Idaho KIA May 27 , 1952 My Dearest Brother Paul , This is the first letter I have ever written to you . I was so little when you left for the Army - only six years old and most of my memories are from hearing our family and friends talk of you . I have seen so many photos of you that I feel I would know you were we to meet on the street . Your Army picture is still on " Mom ' s " dresser in " her " room . I feel so cheated that I was not able to know you in our short time together . Our family and friends speak so highly of you - and our life on the farm . Wars are such a terrible tragedy and so many families suffer heartaches . I know you are happy with God and His Mother , Mary and the other Angels and Saints , and that you are there to welcome all of our family as they enter their Eternal Reward . Tell them all hello and that I remember them in my prayers . Momma , Daddy , and our brothers . You are my " Soldier Hero " - and I look forward to reuniting with you - But , not too soon ! You are always in my prayers and I have grown to love you . Your littlest sister , Eva Marie ( Wagner ) P . S . I still have and cherish the picture you had someone paint of me and Barbara in our plaid school dresses ! ! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 15 - Written By : Robert ( Bob ) Fuoco Plano TX - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- October 25 , 2006 An open letter to Harold McMunn Dear Hal : Seems so long ago . Seems like yesterday . Our gang " The Errors A . C . " battling on the ball park on the empty field at the end of Easton Avenue ( we called it Sleepy Hollow ) in Hyde Park ( Boston ) Massachusetts . We didn ' t win many games , especially with the guys from " The Island ". There was the street sign at the beginning of our hangout spelled " Easton Avenue " and one at the end that read " Eastern Avenue ". The railroad tracks on one side of the street and the Neponset River on the other . And the big cement retaining wall halfway down on one side of the street where we played hand baseball . I always could beat you . We were hanging out at Houghton ' s Pond when we heard over the portable radio that North Korea had invaded South Korea . You asked , " Where is that ? " Soon after , all the guys decided to go up to Cleary Square and join the Marines . I wasn ' t quite old enough and had to remain behind . I often dream of that day . I was waiting in front of my house when you all came walking down the street . You were walking slowly behind the guys and I remember that you had tears in your eyes . You told me that you couldn ' t be a part of the gang when they went to war . I said to you , " Why not try the Army - they will take anybody . " So you went into the service and then off to Korea . I wrote to you often and sent you the local newspaper . one day the Hyde Park Tribune came back to me stamped " Missing In Action ". It wasn ' t until over fifty years later that Betty ( Paden ) Fata , now living in Marshfield , sent me an email saying that you were a prisoner of war and died in one of the camps . When I heard that you were missing in action I ran down to your house and had a good cry with your Mom at the kitchen table . Then I got on the bus all by myself and went to the Draft Board on Cummins Highway in Roslindale . I was on the list and my number probably would have come up in about six months or so . I volunteered for an early draft and eventually went to Korea myself . I never forgot you Hal . Next to me you were the best looking guy in the gang and had a way with the girls . I don ' t think we saw a girl for the first seven months moving up and down Korea . I remember thinking how you wouldn ' t like this . I never forgot you through all these years and thought of you often . Because of you and the rest of the gang I never found time to get into trouble . We did our battle on the ball field . We played almost every sport . You are my hero . You wanted to go to war and defend your country . You didn ' t look to dodge the draft or protest the war . We didn ' t think of things like that back then . I could write many words about you Hal but I think you know how I feel . Until we meet again . Your old gang buddy , Bob Fuoco Editor Note : Harold was with the 38 th Infantry Regiment , 2 nd ID . He died at the May Massacre , 5 / 17 / 1951 . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 16 - Written By : Jim FaJohn - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Hal , my Dad made it through Korea but suffered from PTSS symptoms that went undiagnosed until three years ago . He passed away last October after a full life . While he did come home from Korea in one piece , he definitely left part of himself behind when he did and it had an effect on his life and ours too . We all miss him and consider him as one of our " Lost Forever ". Jim FaJohn - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 17 - Written By : Marie and Ray Garcia - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- What a great idea . We fortunately haven ' t lost anyone close but our prayers will be with those of you who try so hard to do the right thing . God bless you . Marie and Ray Garcia Editor Note : Ray and Marie express many hundreds of similar email that we have received since Oct 23 , 2006 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 18 - Written By : Ray Walton - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- October 24 , 2006 To all you that lost your lives due to the korean war . " you are not forgotton ". Tosha and i will carry the torch in your honor . Ray & tosha walton , modesto california - vh Editor Note : Ray and his wonderful dog , Tosha , volunteer at area VA and hospitals for Veterans who can benefit from personal contact . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 19 - Written By : Virginia Chun Cornelius OR - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- 2 nd Lt . Elvin Milo Lee - 5 th Regiment Combat Team November 7 , 2006 Dear Dad , I sure miss you and can ' t believe it ' s been 56 years since you first went away . I was only three when you left and I don ' t remember saying " goodby " or asking " where are you going ? " I still talk to you at times , do you hear me ? Mom , Sis Mildred and I really missed you a lot . Just before Mom was notified that you were killed in action , I had that awful dream - got up screaming that you were not going to come home ; not coming home ! When you did come home I was 8 years old ; I didn ' t get to see you or touch you . That pain increased with the loss of Mom in 1991 and then Sis Mildred in 1997 . I believe and know you are all together now in that special place , and believing that one day I , too , would be there , made it OK for them to go . Mom kept your letters from Korea and I read them all the time . I know you loved us and always thought about us , because your letters always asked " How are my girls doing ? " " Tells the girls hello and kiss them for Daddy every day and night . " " Does my little girl , Virginia , still cry for her Daddy ? " I still cry for you ! I ' m 59 now , retired in 1999 ( after 32 years of Federal service ) . I worked my first eight years in Federal service at Schofield Barracks , Hawai ' i , the base where you were stationed at and departed from to serve in Korea . Somehow , being there and knowing you were stationed there just felt right and kept you close to my heart . I did visit the DMZ in Korea and " yes " there really is such a place where it all happened . I have a wonderful husband of 37 years and we have a family of our own now . Although we moved to Oregon from Hawai ' i five years ago , Hawai ' i will always be home ; it ' s where my roots started . Sis Mildred ' s family all still live there . We wanted to be close to and be able to help care for and enjoy our grandchildren , your great - grandchildren . We have three sons and three grandson ' s with our first granddaughter due in January and Mildred has three children ( 2 sons and a daughter ) and six grandchildren ( 4 grandsons and 2 grandaughters ) . Your family is growing ! I attended the Dedication of the Korean War Memorial in Hawai ' i in July 1994 , and that helped ease the pain because so many remembered . The inscription on the memorial reads : " As long as the ocean , mountains , and sky bless Hawai ' i , we will not forget our fallen warriors . " I won ' t forget , can ' t forget , because when I do , it is then and only then , that you truly will be gone ! Love you , Dad . Tell Mom and Sis I said " Hello , miss them , love them . " I ' ll stop by for a visit on my next trip home . Love , Your daughter , Virginia - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 20 - Written By : Lanny Asepermy - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- October 24 , 2006 Fallen warriors and prisoners of war of the kiowa , comanche and apache nations This tribute is dedicated to the thirty - one kiowa , comanche and apache combat veterans who were either killed in action , died of combat wounds , declared dead while missing in action , died in captivity or were prisoners of war while serving in the armed forces of the united states . Poor is the nation that has no heroes … … . shameful is the one that , having them , forgets them This tribute was researched from individual military records , Department of Defense files , interviews with families , relatives and friends , newspaper articles , obituaries , telephone inquiries and individual personal death files . The research began in 1992 . Private First Class Silas Wayne Boyiddle , Kiowa / Apache Died in Captivity on July 11 , 1950 Sergeant Luke Buddy Tainpeah , Kiowa Killed in Action on March 28 , 1951 Corporal Dennis King Karty , Comanche / Kiowa Died in Captivity on May 18 , 1951 Corporal Austin Klinekole , Apache Killed in Action on September 16 , 1951 Lieutenant Colonel Meech Tahsequah , Comanche Declared Dead while Missing in Action on February 28 , 1954 Research courtesy of : Lanny G . Asepermy , Kiowa / Comanche Sergeant Major ( Retired ) , US Army , 1966 - 90 Vietnam War , 1969 - 70 Editor Note : Lanny included WWII through Vietnam . The Korean War Casualties biographies will be listed . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Private First Class Silas Wayne ( Poauty ) Boyiddle Kiowa / Apache Us Army Air Force & Us Army , Korean War Company L , 3 rd Battalion , 21 st Infantry Regiment 24 th Infantry Division ( The Victory Division ) Reported Missing In Action on July 11 , 1950 Declared Dead While In Captivity In October 31 , 1950 PFC Boyiddle was from the Boone - Apache area . He served in both the US Army Air Force , toward the end of World War II , and the US Army during the Korean War . PFC Boyiddle was a Light Weapons Infantryman . He and his unit were ambushed near Chockiwon by enemy mortar , small arms and tank fire forcing them to withdraw and reorganize . After being surrounded , low on ammunition and rations he and ninety - nine members of his company were reported missing in action , seven others were reported wounded after being over - run by both North Korea and Chinese Forces . He was later declared a prisoner of war . Several days after his capture American planes accidentally strafed the area where he and other POW ' s were being held causing a number of casualties . While in prison at Manpo , North Korea it was reported he became sick and malnourished causing his death . According to ' Johnson ' s List ' he died on October 27 , 1950 . A fellow surviving prisoner told family members he was buried in the prison cemetery . His awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge ; the Prisoner of War Medal ; the Korean Service Medal ; the United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal . His remains have not been recovered . PFC Boyiddle will forever be 25 years old ( DOB June 27 , 1928 ) . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Sergeant Luke Buddy Tainpeah , Kiowa US Army Air Force & Us Army , World War Ii & Us Army , Korean War Company B , 1 st Battalion , 187 th Regimental Combat Team 11 th Airborne Division ( The Angels ) Killed In Action on March 28 , 1951 SGT Tainpeah was from Caddo County and a veteran of World War II serving in the European Theater . He served from September 26 , 1942 to December , 1945 . SGT Tainpeah was wounded in the knuckle of his right hand by a German grenade while serving as a rifleman with the 35 th Infantry Division . He was an outstanding Golden Gloves boxer and earned the nickname ' Mule '. The combat wound forced him to retire from boxing in 1946 . SGT Tainpeah enlisted in the US Army in January , 1948 and departed for Korea on October 10 , 1950 . He was a Light Weapons Infantryman Leader . SGT Tainpeah made one combat jump during Operation Tomahawk near Munsan - Ni near the Korean DMZ . It was during that ten - day operation that SGT Tainpeah was killed during heavy fighting against both the North Korean and Chinese Armies near Songan - ri , South Korea by a gunshot wound to his head , neck and lung . His mother received a letter from a SGT Tainpeah ' s Platoon Sergeant a few days after her son ' s death that said in part Chief was a squad leader in my platoon . We had to take a hill . We were in position for two hours waiting for the Air Force to clobber the hill . We talked about home and the little things a man thinks about . Chief spotted a machine gun on the hill . When it came time to go Chief got up , fixed his bayonet . He smiled and told me to be careful . We jumped off in the attack and went up the hill . Chief got the machine gun and was after another when a sniper got him . I wish you to know that Chief was a very brave man and every inch a soldier . A memorial was held in his honor about a year after his death at the Saddle Mountain Indian Mission . SGT Tainpeah ' s father , Guy , gave the mission a flagpole , to be erected on the grounds , in honor of his son . He was buried at the United Nations Cemetery near Tanggok , South Korea until his remains were returned and reburied at the Fort Sill Post Cemetery in October , 1951 . SGT Tainpeah will forever be 27 years old ( DOB November 1 , 1923 ) . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Corporal Dennis King Karty , Comanche / Kiowa Us Army , Korean War Company B , 1 st Battalion , 38 th Infantry Regiment 2 nd Infantry Division ( The Indianhead Division ) Captured on May 18 , 1951 Died In Captivity on March 30 , 1952 CPL Karty was born in Lawton and enlisted while living in Adair County . He was a Light Weapons Infantryman Leader . CPL Karty was captured during the battle called the May Massacre which took place from May 11 through June 11 , 1951 . On the early morning of May 18 th the situation within the sector held by Companies A and B of the 1 / 38 th became critical with Chinese on all sides . There was heavy fighting and the two companies were cut off from their main forces . They suffered heavy casualties and were extremely short of ammunition and rations . His unit was overcome , blanketed in swarms of Chinese who stormed the surrounded companies until there was no hope of holding any longer . A surviving prisoner told family members CPL Karty was wounded several times , including in the hip and shoulder , resisting capture . Research indicates he was detained and died at Camp 4 near Wiwon , North Korea . Three of CPL Karty ' s brothers served in the Armed Forces . His remains were returned in 1954 and buried at Highland Cemetery . CPL Karty will forever be 21 years old ( DOB October 8 , 1931 ) . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Corporal Austin Lewis Klinekole , Apache Us Army , Korean War L Company , 1 st Battalion , 32 nd Infantry Regiment 7 th Infantry Division ( The Hourglass Division ) Killed In Action on September 18 , 1951 CPL Klinekole was from the Boone - Apache area . He was a Light Weapons Infantryman and the only known Apache to be killed in action while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States . It was during what one 7 th Infantry Division historian described as the best fighting in the entire Division ' s history when the 7 th captured five important hills . A soldier from his unit said CPL Klinekole was killed during bloody and intense fighting for a hill called Old Baldy . Old Baldy was also known as Hill 840 located in the area of Pung Gol and Hugunto - ryong , North Korea . Another soldier from his unit wrote , " I escorted CPL Klinekole ' s body off the top of Old Baldy on a stretcher after the hill was taken and secured . " Records indicate he was killed by small arms fire . CPL Klinekole was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge ; the Purple Heart ; the Good Conduct Medal ; the United Nations Service Medal ; the Korean Service Medal and the Navy Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon . He is buried at the United Nations Cemetery near Tanggok , South Korea until his remains were returned and reburied at Cache Creek Cemetery in January , 1952 . CPL Klinekole will forever be 20 years old ( DOB August 19 , 1931 ) . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Lieutenant Colonel Meech Tahsequah , Comanche Us Army Air Force & Us Air Force World War Ii And Korean War 3 rd Maintenance & Support Squadron Reported Missing In Action on December 6 , 1950 Declared Dead on February 28 , 1954 LTC Tahsequah was from the Walters area on enlisted into the US Army Air Force as an Air Cadet on July 14 , 1941 . He was a veteran of World War II flying 31 combat missions and logging over 300 combat hours aboard a B - 24 Liberator Bomber . Two members of LTC Tahsequah ' s crew were killed while he received minor wounds when as he was flying his ' ship ' through one of many deadly anti - aircraft barrages . During the Korean War LTC Tahsequah was a passenger aboard a B - 26 B Invader Bomber when the aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed 30 miles north of Susa , North Korea . The Navigator , who bailed out and made his way to friendly lines , said Tahsequah and the other crewmember bailed out before crashing . It was thought at one time he was a prisoner of war as his name was mentioned by North Korea propaganda . His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal for heroism ; the Air Medal w / 2 Oak Leaf Clusters ; the Purple Heart Medal w / 2 Oak Leaf Clusters ; the EAME Medal w / 1 Bronze Service Star ; the World War II Victory Medal ; the United Nations Service Medal ; the Korean Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal . His body has never been recovered and he will forever be 35 years old ( DOB October 27 , 1918 ) . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 21 - Written By : Dan Nicolas - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- October 24 , 2006 I was asked to write a letter to someone I lost in the Korean war . I don ' t recall exactly how old I was , I just remember the guys with cameras asking questions about my father . I was about 4 or 5 and my mother was being told my father had been found and was on a hospital ship and would soon be home . My dad never did come home ! He had been captured up on the Chosin with members of King company U . S . Army who were over run by Chineese forces and removed NORTH of the Yallow . He and 26 ( ? ) others jumped their guards and escaped . As I recall my dad said something about carrieing a LT across the Yalu only to find he had bled out during the crossing of the frozen river . Now you might ask , if I have all this information why is it I ' m writing this . See my dad never returned , his body was here but his mind was nowhere connected to having children or what to do with them . My dad had PTSD and I grew up without knowing OR understanding why he didn ' t want to play ball teach me to fight or many of the normal father son relationships . Soon after returning home ( NO DECOMPRESSION TIME ) He had an accident , while cleaning his 45 he accidently shot himself in the thigh right in front of me . I thought the world of my dad I still do but its taken me years to understand what that war did to him and today I ' m not so sure it was an accident . My fathers body is resting at Fort Snelling Minnisota . GOD BLESS HIS SOUL ! My restless mind wonders if he ever found PEACE with himself and forgave himself for all the possible mistakes he had made and lost friends over . I did my time in Viet Nam and it didn ' t take long to understand that my father never returned from Korea . He was able to cope enough to exist but just under the wire . I ' ve hated my dad for his lack of a relationship and only after my experiences did I come to realise I LOST MY FATHER IN KOREA AND I MISS HIM ! !! Dan Nicolas Son of SFC RICHARD EARL NICOLAS MAY HE REST IN PEACE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 22 - Written By : Mark Hartford Columbus OH - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- October 24 , 2006 Dear Brothers : For 40 years I have carried your memory in my heart . Each of you made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Korea during the 13 months that I was also stationed there , north of the Imjin River , along the DMZ . I was in the zone the nights you were attacked and killed . I was in the zone during the days you were ambushed and killed . Recently , I have tried to bring a small measure of recognition of your sacrifice . Originally , I was planning a moment in time , this veteran ' s day , to place a small plaque in your memory at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in DC . I had intended to be alone . Since then , I have met a group of really talented and committed veterans of Korea . Some served during the war , others in defense of Korea after 1953 . Thanks to them , we are now going to be there at 11 th hour on the 11 th day of the 11 th month , 40 years after the start of the DMZ war . It will all be about you . You remain my comrades in arms , your memory remains fresh in my mind and heart . I hope that this effort causes more Americans to remember your valor , sacrifice and commitment to freedom as well . In loving memory . .. Hensley , Sgt . James - 23 rd Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 11 / 02 / 66 ; Benton , Pfc . John - 23 rd Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 11 / 02 / 66 ; Burrell , Pfc . Robert - 23 rd Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 11 / 02 / 66 ; Fisher , Pvt . Morris - 23 rd Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 11 / 02 / 66 ; Hasty , Pvt . Les - 23 rd Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 11 / 02 / 66 ; Reynolds , Pvt . Ernie - 23 rd Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 11 / 02 / 66 ; Tyler , SP 4 Press Jr . - 23 rd Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 02 / 12 / 67 ; Mueller , SP 4 Carl R . - 23 rd Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 05 / 22 / 67 ; Smith , Pvt . Baron J . - 23 d Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 05 / 22 / 67 ; Ashforth , SP 4 Leonard - 23 rd Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 07 / 16 / 67 ; Boyd , Pfc . Tommy D . - 23 rd Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 07 / 16 / 67 ; Gibbs , Pfc . John L . - 23 rd Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 07 / 16 / 67 ; Boudreaux , Pfc . Philip - 31 st Rgt . , 7 th ID - d . 08 / 10 / 67 ; Czaplicki , Pfc . Donald J . - 31 st Rgt . , 7 th ID - d . 08 / 10 / 67 ; Skaggs , Pfc . Jerry D . - 31 st Rgt . , 7 th ID - d . 08 / 10 / 67 ; Cook , SP 4 Billy J . - 23 rd Rgt . , 2 nd ID - d . 08 / 22 / 67 ; Vogel , SP 4 ; Michael E . - 76 th Engr . Bn . - d . 08 / 28 / 67 ; Rivers , Pfc . Curtis - 76 th Engr . Bn - d . 08 / 28 / 67 ; Corp , Sgt . Philip N . - 38 th Rgt . , 2 nd ID - 08 / 29 / 67 ; Lund , Pfc . Paul G . - 38 th Rgt . , 2 nd ID - 08 / 29 / 67 ; McKee , Pfc . Edgar A . Jr . - 38 th Rgt . , 2 nd ID - 08 / 29 / 67 . Thank you Ted and Hal . Mark Hartford Korea DMZ Veteran Co . B 1 / 23 rd Inf . 2 nd ID 7 / 66 - 8 / 67 Editor Note : See Columbus Dispatch 11 / 11 / 06 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 23 - Written By : Kelly G . DeWolfe - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- October 24 , 2006 Hey Dad ! I couldn ' t pass up this opportunity to put into words how I ' m feeling today . You served in Korea , but that was before I was thought of . You made it through what was probably one of the most harrowing times in your young life ! I ' m sure this didn ' t compare to the loss of your Mom and then Dad only a year apart in loss when you were aged 5 and 6 . You and your older Brother were orphaned then , only to be split up and raised by your Aunt and he by an adoptive family . I remember you were upset when you retold how he legally changed his name when he turned 18 to his adoptive parents name , him being a junior named after your Dad . All through my youth , my fondest memories have always been spent with you ! I was indeed Daddy ' s little girl , but , not for want or need , but only to be the best and make you as proud of me as I have always been so very proud of you ! I remember , too , how you didn ' t much talk of the horrors you may have seen in war , but of the friends you made and the smiles you and they were able to share in spite of it ! I recall many a time spent glancing through your Army issued photo journals , looking at the pictures and trying to understand what was happening or perhaps wondering if the men whose pictures I was glancing at had survived the war . I wish I had those books now , as then , to see if I could capture a picture that may have been taken of you then , during that time of strife . You put up with so much in your short lifetime . My Brothers and Sisters lost you on October 09 , 1976 after many years of aches , pains , and ill health . You were still a young man , only 42 . You were so strong for as long as I ' d known you ! A good man , hard worker , great Dad - the best ! You loved us kids , and were truly able to be our best friend and Dad , too ! You never lived to see our successes ( and failures ) , but especially the Grandkids you always yearned for ! Sean , Charles John II , Michael , Geoff , and even Kelsey ! The only DeWolf Granddaughter ! ! Oh , and how they would have loved and cherished you ! As I do . .. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Letter 24 - Written By : Jim Pankey East Carondelet IL - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------- Korea was the forgotten war , and I lost a great friend and cousin , Lester Ralph Sitton , Jr . there . " Puzzie " was 24 when he died serving our country to keep us safe ; the last time I saw him , he asked to ride my bicycle ( I was ten ) . The tire blew and he took it two miles , repaired it , and brought it back . I was mad , not grateful , and he went away while I cried angrily . That was a sendoff I have kicked myself for since . I should have told him I loved him and how grateful I was to have him around . He went off to war only to get a dear john from his girlfriend . .. she had found someone else ; I found this out many years later , of course . Korea was a sad cause for a war , because it was not politically correct to call it a war at that time . It was a ' police action ' we were told . Yet I lost my cousin -- and have cried more than a few times since , realizing how lonely he was and how he endured being wounded and captured , and the official cause of death according to the government was pneumonia contracted while a prisoner of war . I ' ve often wondered if he was abandoned there , too , on the battlefield . Now I cry for the souls of the lost , and see Puzzie give and give more , until he finally gave the ultimate sacrifice . I also think of Arlie Pate , one of the ' 23 who stayed '. He had a miserable home life before his going to war and after his return . He should be forgiven , and the reasons for war examined more intently before sending our youngsters to their fate . Small towns like East Carondelet , Illinois suffer more than Washington , DC . I think politicians should be the first to sacrifice , but they apparently haven ' t learned the meaning of the word . I think Puzzie taught me to be a giver rather than a taker , and can only hope that the government learns that the road to peace is not through blood sacrifice , but through good government that may result in the defeat of war , hunger and disease through adherence to principles of healing rather than destruction throughout the world . We have to give -- and remember that ultimately the cost of war is too high . Certainly peace is cheaper and healthier . Thanks , Puzzie , for repairing my bicycle . And thanks for giving your all . I ' ve learned from you . Jim Pankey , USN ( Ret . ) for Puzzie MSGT USA from East Carondelet , Illinois Editor Note : Lester was with 2 nd Engineer Combat Bn , 2 nd ID and lost at Kunu - ri 11 / 30 / 1950