Memorial Day 2022 - Arlington Flag Placement
Memorial Day May 30th, 2022
Today, we pause to Remember all those who have paid the ultimate price in Korea as well as all the wars or conflicts in which the United States has been involved.
1.) WE REMEMBER
Ted was born in 1945 just days before Memorial Day of 1945. A couple of years later, Hal was born in a Naval Hospital overlooking the wreck of the USS Arizona. That was November 1947, at Aiea Naval Hospital. Both of us were born while our Dad was on active duty in the US Marine Corps.
Memorial Day Remembrance has been a solemn day our entire lives. Days like this underscore our personal committment through our work via the Korean War Project online since February 15, 1995. - Never Forget
2.) POEM
We thought the following poem would resonate among those of you who have lost someone during the Korean War or any of our 20th or 21st century wars or conflicts. The poem was sent to us by Eileen Sullivan Alber whose father CPL Joseph William Sullivan, 37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, was killed at Kunu-ri on November 30 1950 while trying to re-establish connections with officers of his unit.
Eileen has been reciting this poem for over 60 years.
It’s a little cold and damp, Mom
And the food is not too good.
The mud is thick and deep, Mom
And filled with human blood.
Got a bullet in my leg, Mom
But it doesn’t hurt as much as when I see a child come without a leg or crutch.
They’re coming down the hill now , Mom
A hundred thousand strong.
And no matter how we fight or pray we can’t hold out too long.
Tell Mary not to cry, Mom
Tell Dad to be real brave
And when they bring me home, Mom
Write “Old Glory” on my grave.
Well I guess I better go now Mom
And get my share well done
But no matter how you feel now, Mom
I’ll always be,
Your Son. (author unknown)
![Two Boots on Memorial Day]()
A pair of empty boots has become an international symbol of respect and remembrance of a fallen serviceman or servicewoman.
3.) Dan Baker 1st Cavalry Division, M Company 8th Cavalry Regiment
Dan has been corresponding with Ted for several years. He just wrote that he turned 99 on May 15th, 2022. Over the years he has tried to reconnect with men he served with. From Dan: "I am Lt. Dan F. Baker, Co. M, 8th Cav Reg, 1st Cav Div. I served in S. Korea and Hokkaido. I was M Co. Commander while we guarded Chitose #2 on Hokkaido. Had my 99th birthday on May 15th."
"I was a reserve officer recalled to duty in 1950 and assigned to Co. M of the 8th Cav Reg. M was a Heavy Weapons Company then and I had a platoon of 75 M. Recoiless Rifles. Most American infantry officers at that time had young Korean boys as "Boysans," who served as valets. Mine had a tooth problem, so I took him to the nearest MASH unit that had a dentist on duty. They hand turned the drill that fixed his cavity. Ugh!! He was so thankful for losing his toothache. I ended up on Hokkaido, as C.O. of M Co. We guarded an airfield named Chitose #2. I am 99 years old as of May 15 and remember my time in South Korea and Hokkaido like it was yesterday. ...............Ist Lt Dan Baker"
4.) Looking For
Lt. Baker's recollections are very typical of thousands of messages posted on the Korean War Project since 1995. We have the message areas divided by service branch for the 1950-1953 time frame. See this link:
Looking For Korean War Units
5.) Post Truce Korea (DMZ Era)
Well over 60% of our correspondents on the website and by email served after July 27, 1953. Everyone is welcome to be part of our extended "family". We have routinely posted information of value for this grouping since our first newsletters. See this link:
DMZ Veterans Center 1953 to present.
6.) Planes of Fame Air Museum features Douglas A-26 Restoration
Douglas RB-26C 'Invader' | Planes of Fame Air Museum
Here’s the short info page on the Planes of Fame main website and the information regarding the restoration. The aircraft was assigned to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron "Blackbirds.”
Jeff Whitesell Special Projects Planes of Fame Air Museum Valle Arizona wrote us recently:
"I am very keen to learn if anyone has pictures or memories of this particular aircraft while it was in service: The aircraft was delivered to the USAAF in March 1945 as A-26C/44- 35323. It was delivered to the ETO (European Theatre of Operations) in April 1945. It was converted in Japan to an RB-26C in 1951 with a camera in the clear nose, installation of additional reconnaissance gear in the bomb bay, and the reduction of defensive armament."
"I am heading up the restoration of the Planes of Fame Douglas A-26, which has been in storage/on static display with Planes of Fame Air Museum’s Valle Arizona branch for many years."
"Our intention is to return the airplane to full flight status as a tribute to our veterans."
Contact Jeff at: Jeffrey Whitesell
topfun@fivetogether.com
![C-119 Aircraft]()
7.) Treadway Bridge sections drop: C-119C “Flying Boxcar,” Tail No. 48-0352
"As the editor for the Hangar Digest newsletter here at the Air Mobility Command Museum Foundation at Dover AFB, Del., I’m working on an article about the C-119B Flying Boxcar aircraft."
“The Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover Air Force Base, Del., is proud to announce the official rededication of C-119C “Flying Boxcar,” Tail No. 48-0352, which took part in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in December 1950. This aircraft and seven others dropped M2 Treadway bridge sections that allowed thousands of US Marines, soldiers, and Allied personnel to escape almost certain death or capture at the hands of Communist forces.
Jeff Brown, the editor of the Museum’s newsletter, is hoping to interview anyone who took part in the Chosin battle or who helped with this Air Force rescue mission. “
You then can include your contact information to send to me, or include my contact information:
“Contact Mr. Brown at
piffbrown1898@gmail.com, or by calling 302-492-0766.”
Jeff Brown
Editor, Hangar Digest
Air Mobility Command Museum Foundation
Dover AFB, Del.
Editor Note: Postscript: units involved in the drop; 61st Troop Carrier Sqdn, 314th Troop Carrier Group, 8081st Quartermaster Airborne Air Supply & Packaging Company, Air Control units of the Air Force, USMC, and on the ground Engineers who retrieved and installed the beams.
8.) BBS Message Sections on the website
These sections may be found on each of the service branch Looking For pages in the title area listed in blue boxes. Once clicked the next page presents a wide range of topics. The sub-sections are also listed in blue. So, just click into any of them to see previous messages, also listed in blue. Click any of the topics that interest you.
9.) Newsletter sub-sections moving forward, update.
Many of our readers have always wanted to have focus sections similar to the BBS and Looking For areas on the website. We have created the ability for anyone, anywhere to join or leave one of these sub-sections where questions will be addressed.
Awards-Records, Post Truce DMZ-Era. Korean War 1950-1953, KIA/DOW/POW-MIA, Korean War Remembrance Book. Plus general topics; Korean War Project, Donor information, Contact Information Updates.
Note: A recent batch of emails from us to you has resulted in the sub-sections to fill up with subscribers.
How to Subsribe to sections of our Newsletter: See: Subscribe Here in Section 13, below:
10.) Book Update: Korean War Project Remembrance 1950-1953
Recap: "The book is the product of over 30 years of research into the women and men who perished during the Korean War while serving in USA forces. It is 528 pages, library quality, stitched binding, hard cover. 500 copies for the first printing."
"Comparisons with all the legacy DOD data files as well as thousands of documents sent by our website visitors led us to correct, amend, add or remove names.
"We have added over 600 women and men who were not on any US DOD listings in the past or present."
If you are interested in the book let Ted know by email, call or letter. We have sold over 300 copies as of this writing.
Purchase price is $58.00 US including shipping by USPS Media Mail. Multiple copies may be purchased. Check with Ted Barker by email, letter, or phone. See contact information at the bottom of this newsletter.
We pack and ship from our garage, a personal touch. See the blue link for full details:
Korean War Project Remembrance 1950 - 1953 - Hardback Book
Let your friends and local library or schools know of the book. Have them contact us.
11.) Donor / Member Update:
Consider supporting the mission of the Korean War Project by donations in the form of Membership/Sponsorship.
Membership: Link to
Membership | Donor page
Our Pledge Drive is an ongoing process. We are recruiting from those who have not participated, so if you can, jump on in, it will be appreciated.
The site is free for all to use and those who participate help to ensure that we remain online whether the donation is $15.00 membership or more.
For those persons or groups who cannot participate, we certainly understand. Our overall donor base has declined as former donors pass on or are no longer able to assist.
Donations/Memberships are tax deductible if you use long forms for tax deductions.
IRS reports. Our EIN: 75-2695041 501(c) (3)
12.) Books-Films | Reunions
We shall continue to feature published books, films or videos, or upcoming projects on the website, Facebook, Twitter, and here, in the newsletters.
There are still reunion associations for Korean War era units. Most have ceased operations, however. Please advise us so that we can update and/or add groups and reunions.
13.) Subscribe/Unsubscribe
Subscribing and Unsubscribing to our email delivered content has been hit or miss in the past. Everyone that will receive this email has consented in the past to getting copies of our email.
Everyone may still continue to communicate with us by direct email, phone, or letter.
If we have missed any message from you to leave our list or pause delivery, this new delivery system will make sure there is no further contact for group email. Regular email, phone, or letters will always be available.
To subscribe:
Subscribe to our newsletters - here
Those who choose to "unsubscribe" will not get any more group email from us. The process is now automated. If you have sent us "unsubscribe" in the past, our apologies, we did not get the notice. Note: the link to unsubscribe is at the bottom of this page.
If you have questions, let us know immediately.
14.) Contact Hal or Ted
Best regards,
Hal Barker, Director
hbarker@kwp.org
214-320-0342
Ted Barker, Administrator
tbarker@kwp.org
214-320-0342
Korean War Project
P.O. Box 180190
Dallas, Texas 75218-0190
United States
