LETTERS 50 to 74
Letter 50 - Written By:
Bob and La Deane Griffiths
Eagle Mountain
UT
November 1, 2006
Major Jack D. Griffiths
My Dear Brother Jack,
This letter is to express some of my thoughts about you and to let you know how much I love you.
Even though you are six years older than I am, I want you to know how important you have been to me and how much I have looked up to you. I respect the example that you have set for me and for my family. You are truly our hero.
Some of the things that I remember You were always so quick and fast. It took years for your track record to be broken at San Diego High School. Mother used to say that by the time you opened the screen door you were undressed and in bed before it closed. I remember when I was 13 and you let me drive the car out in the country so you could talk to Marcella.
When you went into the Army in 1940 you sold me your 1937 Chevrolet convertible. Wow, what a car! I don't remember if I ever finished paying you for it. I became very popular in high school because I had a convertible.
I followed you into WWII in 1943 and went into the Navy. I wanted you to be proud of me. We both made it through that war and came home and thought life would be much different than it turned out to be.
When we heard that you had been taken as a POW and listed as MIA our entire family felt the pain and grief. Marcella was never the same after that. She had so much to bear with losing you and losing your baby all at the same time. Such sadness! I am going to find your son Joseph.
I am doing my best to live up to the standards that you set as we were growing up. I am married, have 12 children, 41 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
I have worked hard to teach my family about God, about loyality and commitment to our country and the community we live in, about closeness and the value of family.
Thank you for being my brother and loving me. I think of you every day. I look forward to being united with you again.
I Love You,
Your brother,
Bob
Letter 51 - Written By:
William Oren Adams
October 25, 2006
I was in Korea with the 40th Infantry Division in 1952. My hero was my squad leader, Sgt. "Beefy" Johnson.
A couple of days before I joined them, our squad was fanned out in front of the CP when three enemy soldiers entered their perimeter.
Two guys on the point "bugged out" and Beefy, seeing the dangerous situation his CO was in, got up out of his hope, went out in the bushes, found the three enemy soldiers and killed them. No muss, no fuss. He just did his job as he saw it and that was that!
He was my hero and still is.
William Oren Adams
Letter 52 - Written By:
Kenneth G. Kratzer, Jr.
Phelam
NY
October 25, 2006
Our American Legion Post 50 together with the Sons of the American Legion Squadron that I am responsible for honored Korean War Veterans at our Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in Pelham, NY. In preparation for the occasion we researched the background of the Pelham residents who died in service to our country in Korea.
Members of the senior class of Pelham Memorial High School under the direction of Social Studies Chair Maria Thompson found the remarkable story of Eugene Lee Evans on microfilm.
Lt. Evans, was not only a great football player, well thought of member of our community, but one of our countries first African-American Army officers, at a time when that was ground breaking territory. I am honored to present the story of Eugene Lee Evans for your ceremony.
Respectfully yours,
Kenneth G. Kraetzer, Jr.
Sons of the American Legion
Post 50 Pelham
Box 293,
Pelham NY 10803
The Pelham Sun, (NY) Week of July 20, 1952
1st Lieut. Eugene Evans is Reported as Missing in Action at Korean Front Official notification that 1st Lieut. Eugene Evans, USA is missing in action in Korea, was received by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Mack N. Evans of 430 6th Ave. (Pelham, NY) on Friday. The report has caused concern among his many friends here who knew him well as a popular all-county and all-metropolitan athlete at Pelham Memorial High School, and as a star of the undergraduate Morgan State College football team in Maryland.
Lieut. Evans has been in Korea since last April with the 7th Inf., Regiment of the 32nd Division. The report states that he has been missing since July 17th.
His wife, Mrs. Mildred Onley Evans of 11 Winyah Terrace, New Rochelle, told the Pelham Sun that she received a letter from her husband dated July 17. In it he wrote that he was stationed some distance away from the scene of action and didn't expect to get up to the front until Aug. 1st.
Lieut Evans, who was a four letter athlete during his years at PMHS, served as a student assistant in the Physical Education department of his old school for the last three months of his senior year at Morgan State College in 1951.
His effort there was praised by Supt. Of schools W.W. Fairclough and Principal F. Hamilton Whipple. At his graduation at Morgan State in June 1951, he received his commission as a 2nd Lieut.
While at PMHS, Lieut. Evans acquired the nickname of "Dippy". He played three years of varsity football and was captain of the 1944 team. He was selected as All-County and All-Metropolitan end. In basketball he was All-County center. He led the baseball team with a batting average of .444, and was the star high jumper of the school track team. He was also chosen a member of the Student Council and was elected Secretary of his class in 1945.
During his four years at Morgan State, Evans was a member of the undefeated football team which won 19 games and the National and CIAA championships in 1949. He was a member of the Student Council; vice president of the Physical Education Majors club; commissioner of the intramural athletics, and student representative to the Committee on Intercollegiate athletics.
He served in the Marine Corps during World War II, and at Morgan State he held the rank of major in the ROTC battalion. He reported for duty with the Army in June 15, 1951.
----------------------------
First Lieutenant Eugene L. Evans, U.S. Army; Service Number
O-2203322, a member of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, was killed in action providing service to his country in Korea on July 19th, 1952.
First Lieutenant Evans was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. (ABMC Website)
Letter 53 - Written By:
Eugene Newman
Parsippany
NY
10/26/06
To a fallen Marine:
I never knew your name, but I saw you die on a gray day at Kunsan Air Force Base in Korea in 1952. We watched your fighter bomber stall on takeoff a few hundred feet above the runway and saw only one parachute open. We knew there were two crew members and when we heard the crash and saw the black cloud rise we realized a Marine had made the supreme sacrifice.
Then as now there were some who were questioning our involvement in a foreign war, but you did not die in vain. No matter what anyone says about the Korean conflict, we were victorious. Terrorism was stopped in its tracks and pushed back behind the 38th Parallel, its expansion plans thwarted by heroes like you.
Sincerely,
Eugene Newman ( formerly USAF S/Sgt)
Letter 54 - Written By:
William (Bill) Sahno
October, 25 2006
To Fellow Marines:
For: 11 November 2006
To Whom it May Concern:
I am writing this letter in the year 2006, more than 50 years since a Police Action took place in a far place called Korea. As a young 10 year old who grew up during the World War II years and the euphoric aftermath of victory, I can remember the ominous radio broadcasts which announced disturbing activities coming from the Korean peninsula. Political and military activity escalated to culminate in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday June 25, 1950, when the North Korean army struck across the 38th parallel. You and your mates joined with other freedom loving countries to counter this threat to world peace and the rest is now part of history.
Although Korea was not my war, we left many Marines who sacrificed their lives during that conflict. I now wish to share some thoughts with you regarding the measure of your sacrifice and the impact it has had on our world as it has evolved.
As someone once said, the sacrifice that you offered when you died represents the surrender of two lives, the one you had and the one you could have had. Looking back from this vantage point in history, it appears as though we didn't learn much from what we learned and the Korean involvement has proven to be the precise blueprint for subsequent 'involvements' up to our present day.
Not to say that what you did was done needlessly, no, quite the contrary. You fought for the right for us to make our own decisions even though we were not always smart enough to make the right ones.
Freedom is a precious commodity and it is precisely what must be protected at all costs. It is also a very fragile commodity which takes nurturing, however, it can be lost in a heartbeat.
History tells us of the never ending struggle to seek the elusive goal of world peace wherein mankind can seek the security of life, liberty and the pursuit of noble goals.
History also tells us that to achieve this goal, it takes men of action to ensure that this idea of a free society may continue to exist.
You and your mates represent a link in that long chain of men of action. We continue the struggle and you are joined by our mates every day as we face a difficult world with seemingly insurmountable challenges ahead. As we continue to forge new links in the chain, it would appear as though we will not be getting out of the veteran business anytime soon.
As long as there are threats to the freedom of man there will be men of action to step forward and face those threats. You have done that in your time and you have served nobly and well for it was you and your mates that allowed me and my contemporaries to achieve what we have achieved and to continue to carry the banner of freedom forward.
Those of my time have passed that banner on to younger hands and they continue to carry it proudly as did our predecessors in that long chain of men of action.
Some say that these letters are to the Lost and some refer to your action in Korea as the forgotten war. Rest assured, that is not the case. As long as you are remembered, you shall not be forgotten or lost, for you shall always be remembered as long as one veteran remains standing.
Best Wishes and 'Semper Fidelis'!
William Sahno
Colonel, United States Marine Corps (Retired)
Letter 55 - Written By:
William J. Curtis
Cranford
NJ
Ensign Glen Howard Rickelton USNR
October 24, 2006
Dear Glen,
This letter is 54 years late, but it's my way of
reminding myself how fortunate I've been since the
6th of January 1952 when your plane was hit by anti
aircraft fire and you crashed and burned over Korea.
You were a very likable person to have worked
for; you treated your subordinates as friends. You
were easy going and it was a pleasure to have you as
my boss.
You've missed so much by being one of the pilots that didn't return. We were all very young and secure in that nothing could happen to us. But as the
air group's losses increased I'm sure that your initial
cockiness became wariness. You were our 13th pilot
to be lost, with 5 more to follow before the Essex
returned to the States.
Were you with us now you'd be amazed how life
has changed technologically over the 54 years. You'd
likely be a husband and Grandfather, retired and
living a wonderful life. You'd be showing your
grandkids photos of yourself as a skinny Ensign all
decked out in your flying gear, standing by your
fighter plane. But unfortunately that wasn't to be.
In 1952 I was discharged. I returned home and
got my first car and a job at Sperry Gyroscope
Company, working nights in a very boring job. By
1953 I'd found employment as a Field Engineer for
IBM. The job entailed servicing Data Processing
machines in customer's offices. There I met my wife
and married in 1961, we raised 3 wonderful children.
I retired after 39 years of a job I loved. I prospered
and now own a home in New Jersey and a summer
home at the shore in New York. Our health is good
and we're looking forward to many enjoyable years
ahead.
As a historian I've been able to retrieve all the
reports our air group filed with the Navy Department
while we were deployed with the carrier Essex off
Korea. From the reports, I compiled a list of the 50
planes and the 18 pilots lost.
Your whole life was reduced to 3 lines on 6 January
1952.
Quote: "Ensign RICKELTON of VF-51 flying a
Panther on a rail cut recco mission when hit by flak,
went into a shallow glide from which he never
recovered, and crashed into a hillside."
One of your Plane Captains
Bill Curtis
( William J. Curtis )
Letter 56 - Written By:
Rich Mack
October 26, 2006
To Each and everyone of you Brave, Loyal , Patriotic Much Loved and Admired Servicemen and Women who Died for and have served these United States Of America during the Korean War--Not a Conflict--Not a Police Action but a call to arms by our then Commander in Chief.
Each and everyone of you paid your individual price to make sure that ALL of the people of our Great Nation remain safe and Free.
Do NOT feel betrayed because of an ungrateful Nation (The Forgotten WAR) and or a group of ill mannered thinking Politicians that took you into harms way for what was the start of Vietnam and the continuing judgments of error made by many.
You as I, were called, Because of your Devotion , Loyalty and your inbred need to serve your Country, Family and your fellow man, You , went into Battle, Proudly and with Honor. I want my thoughts for you to embellish your very sprit and soul and to let you know that I for one truly understand and admire your resolve and your sacrifice.
For all of the family left behind because of your Death and your service to your Country they will one day gather with you and reiterate their Love,respect ,gratitude and their devotion for the enormous price that you paid so that they and all others could remain free in a Nation where all are trying to get into and not many trying to leave. I salute you, I pray for you. I Care.
USS ACERNAR AKA 53
United States Navy
Rich L. Mack
Letter 57 - Written By:
Christopher (Chris) Moore
October 26, 2006
Grandpa, PFC Gary Lincoln Rodgers: I just would have loved to share with you even for one moment some part of your life, even the slightest part of who you were; but that was taken away many years ago; we wonder (mom and I) often, and want you to know that your memory lives on through your Daughter and me Her son.
I often wonder what difference you may have made within our lives had you made it through. "The struggle was not lost, the struggle continues, and we were effected, are effected each and every day, we fight harder each day to support you, and the memory of your sacrifice for us. Some five decades later..lest we forget your sacrifice."
We live on today in 'Your' memory Sir. I hope you always know that. Mom is a Senior Administration Nurse in Arizona and I am currently serving; to serve as you did. I am a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the Army. I hope you are proud of us and never forget; we never forget you.
Love always; I hope we meet in the 'Fiddlers Green' some time Grandpa.
Christopher
Letter 58 - Written By:
Dale Schunke
Tuscon
AZ
Korean War Project
P.O. Box 180190
Dallas, TX 75218-0190
October 25, 2006
Gerald,
Remember all the fun times we had hunting squirrels and rattlesnakes on the Schunke farm in Fillmore? The one thing we 'killed' a lot of and didn't dare tell the folks were those green glass telephone insulators. If we would have, you would have been over Dad's knee and I over Mom's knee. Your nephew, Dean Gerald, was born nine days after you were killed. He has that Springfield .22 bolt-action single shot rifle that Dad and Mom (reluctantly) gave you for your 16th birthday.
One nice warm fall day we drove the Ford tractor down to the Schunke farm to get a bunch of junk out of the garage. You let me drive it most of the way, after we got out of sight of the folks. And remember when we got to the farm, I pulled up in front of the garage doors; you hopped off the Ford and opened the doors? In a dirt depression lay about eight rattlesnakes, all 8 were telling us they were there. You walked over to the tractor and got your rifle and a box of shells. You shot all eight of them. Each rattle was worth a box of .22 longs, 50¢.
Remember that Saturday when both Mom and Dad had to leave to go to Spring Valley and they were expecting someone to come out? I think it had something to do with insurance. Anyway, about thirty minutes after they left, you acquired a real craving for ice cream. Because you couldn't leave, you put the box on the back of the Ford, threw some heavy winter blankets in the box, gave me some money and sent me off to Racine. When I got to Racine, I bought two one-quart containers of ice cream and wrapped them up in the winter blankets and started for home. When I got home, we grabbed a couple of teaspoons from the kitchen and went up to your bedroom. We each finished one container. One thing I always remember about being a farm kid, if you were spreading manure or on a dusty gravel road, the wind was always to your back, Nature's law.
Why did you join the Minnesota National Guard in `49? We talked about a lot of things while hunting and fishing on the Jahns farm but not why you joined the Guard. I think you did because Dad was in WWI and you wanted to continue the tradition. You wanted to be a farmer, get the military discipline and serve your country, like Dad.
Twice I was real proud to be your little brother. The most recent time was on a Thursday evening when you took me with you to the Rochester Armory for your weekly training. I sure was proud of my big brother, the soldier! I think I was as proud of you that evening as I was the day you kept my older cousin from picking on me. He was pushing me around, tripping me and calling me names like, 'You little twerp', etc. When you got off of the school bus, you grabbed him by his scruffy neck, threw him off to the side of the dusty pathway and told him to leave me alone, or else!
You went to Korea in `51 and came home in `52; your enlistment in the Guard was up. Remember buying the J C Higgins bicycle for my 13th birthday? I sure hope I thanked you for it. I did ding the front fender learning how to ride. That bike was the Cadillac of bicycles!
Three of four months later you enlisted in the Regular Army. You told the folks a little white lie when you told them you were being stationed in Alaska. After the funeral, we heard through your good friend, you know, the neighbor’s son who was about a mile to the east of us, that you knew you were going to Korea because you volunteered to go back. Your rational was that if you, a single GI, went back, perhaps some married guy would be sent home. You remembered the anguish the married guys went through before a push to take hill ___. One night in mid December, while out on patrol, an enemy hand grenade went off right beside you. Your friend said that if you had not been standing there, it would have been him in the pine box.
Five years later I graduated from Spring Valley High School. I spent two years at the Austin Area Vocational School in Austin and became a radio & TV repairman. Because of my radio & TV repair training, I got a job at Montgomery Ward in Albert Lea. In September `61, I married Ruth Lindholm. You don't know her as her family moved to Spring Valley in `53.
One day in December of `61 I received a letter from the Fillmore County Selective Service that I was to report to some place in Minneapolis for a physical. Uncle Sam wanted me. I showed the letter to the folks and they said they would take care of it. At that time I had no idea of what they were talking about. A week or two later I received another letter from the Selective Service people telling me to forget about going for the physical. My draft status was now 4F or 4E or something like that because I was the sole surviving son.
I joined the United States Air Force on April 17, 1962. I still remember my AFSN, 17624066, which was replaced by the SSN six months later. I joined on 17 April 62. My number in the barracks in basic training was 40 and in four years when I was discharged, it would be `66. I joined to continue the tradition set by Dad and you.
I had two jobs during my twenty years. The first thirteen years I was a 291X0, Communications Center Specialist. My overseas assignments during that time were San Pablo AB, Spain for two years and Volkel AB, Holland for four years. My last seven years I was a 404X0, Ground Photographic Repairman and stationed overseas in Wiesbaden AB, Germany for three years.
When Ruth and I came home from Spain in September `64, we went to Spring Valley to see our folks. In November of `64 we were driving back to Spring Valley; Dad had died. He was 74. Mom died in `94 at the age of 88. Beverly died in `04 and she was 77. Gloria is married to a real nice guy and they are living a little north of The Twin Cities.
Veterans Day `98, the Spring Valley American Legion/VFW had a special tribute to those who were killed during the police action. Dan Anderson, who worked for the Spring Valley Tribune, video taped the ceremony. He graciously gave me a copy.
Duane is a big fan of yours. I gave him the other .22 rifle you had, the Remington bolt action six shot clip. He lives in Racine and I live in Tucson. He has a better chance of using it than I do.
Dale Schunke
2034 S Howard Strav.
Tucson, AZ 85713-1441
Letter 59 - Written By:
Lou Harmin
Crystal River
FL
A letter to Charlie Wilson, KIA April 1953
Dear Charlie
We graduated high school and went through basic training together. Remember to fun we had in Fort Dix.
A tough training for what laid ahead.
It was good having a buddy to talk to on that troop ship overseas. I lost track of you in Japan but soon learned that you died in Korea within a month.
Goodness knows that I have thought of you so many times over the years.
I went on to College after coming home and ended up teaching in a Community College. Boy would our high school teachers have been surprised. I was doomed to failure in their eyes.
I even entered politics and was a New York State Mayor for 8 years. Imagine that!! And even a real judge for a short time.
Now my wife and I live in Florida. You would have come to visit I am sure. But that was not to be.
Just think, we would both be in our 70's were it not for that darned "police action."
Be peaceful and I will continue to think of you with good memories.
Lou Harmin
Class of '52
Letter 60 - Written By:
J.C. Fraley
October 26, 2006
Name is known by friends and Relatives (name forgotten by me)
To the young man who died on our operating room table at Youngdongpo 121st Evacuation Hospital 1951.
You had a very bad thigh wound and Dr Severest and I were working on you when all of a sudden you stopped breathing on us Dr Severest told me to get a new tray of instruments from our Master Table and He cut into your side and got to your heart and got your heart pumping again I held your rib cage open until he was finished and you lived 3 days after that .
I have always wondered about your family and friends as we did not have any info on any of them.
As the years have so swiftly gone by I have forgotten your name but have always remembered the incident and the days following until your death and have always wondered if you were ready to meet the Lord Jesus Christ whom I have trusted as my personal Saviour since then.
Sgt Fraley of the 121st Evac. Hosp. will see you in Glory if you are there.
Letter 61 - Written By:
Bett Batts
Hesperia
CA
Re: Clarence Marvin Wallace
Dear Dad,
Although you got to hold me before you left, I don't remember it. I have pictures of you with me in your arms. I have a bible that was given to you and after 55 years, I now have the flag that draped your coffin.
Growing up, I did a lot of things that I shouldn't have and I often wondered what my life would have been like, if you had come back from Korea. But as I grew, so did my life. I have been married to a wonderful man (a Viet Nam veteran) for 27 years now. I have three grown children, five grandchildren and one on the way.
We are very active in the VFW. Don (my husband) joined because of his service in Viet Nam. I joined the Ladies Auxiliary because of your service in Korea. When I received your flag it was unfolded. I took it to the VFW and they made arrangements for the Young Marines to fold it, as it should have been. The flag was folded on Memorial Day 2006 (your 75th birthday). It was a wonderful, moving ceremony. Not a dry eye in the crowd. You came alive that day in the hearts of many people. That was the day when you became real to me.
My mother never stopped loving you, even though she married another man, I remember her speaking about you throughout my entire life.
I love you
Your daughter
Beth
Letter 62 - Written By:
Ted Morford
The Villages
FL
To Bobby Manier:
This letter is not going to be about me and my accomplishments, but about you.
Your notice by the Government simply states you died while captured in July of 1951. You were a PFC-E3 from Nashville, Tennessee.
After the war your family never stopped searching for you or anyone who might be able to help. Your father made trips to Korea but his hopes were shattered each time. Your father died a broken hearted man.
Many of your friends realize the sacrifices you suffered through and we ask GOD to bless you and give you eternal and peaceful sleep.
Your High School Buddy
Ted Morford
Capt. US Army Retired Corps of Engr.
Letter 63 - Written By:
Gloria
Albany
CA
Dear Cousin Richard,
You and I never met, as you lived in Hawaii and I was in California, perhaps 7 or 8 years old, when you went off to fight in Korea. I don't even remember hearing about your being declared missing in action. The war to me was a dark, nebulous, evil thing, something I couldn't really understand or visualize. People in our family never talked about Korea in front of us children, although we did know some of our cousins were over there fighting.
I do remember clearly when our cousin Chucky returned home from the war; we were all in the kitchen when he came in; he tossed my brothers one by one into the air, and gave me a huge hug. When my little brother asked if he had been wounded, Chuck was still young enough to show off, pulling up his shirt to show us the two bullet scars on his side.
But you never came home, and your body was left somewhere near Sodochon.
The years passed, I've reached that awful/wonderful age, senior citizen with an abiding interest in genealogy. Your sister and I met, and for the first time learned your story, heard of the grief your family felt when you were lost, and how that overwhelming grief had almost destroyed your mother.
As genealogists do, I went searching for you in the official records, but found nothing.., it was as though you didn't exist! Eventually I heard of other cases like yours, other Puerto Rican boys whose military records were lost or misfiled or mishandled, mainly, it was said, because of our Spanish and our use of double surnames. It took some time, but eventually I found you, your name hopelessly garbled; and through the help of the Korean War Project's "Finding the Families" project, I sent in the corrected information and hoped for the best.
Now, after checking the Korean War Project's site once again for your name, see a note that DNA samples have finally been obtained from your family. Maybe I was of some help, I'd like to think so.
Primo, no one is really lost until he is forgotten. Primo, you and your comrades are not lost; we just haven't found you yet.
Gloria
Letter 64 - Written By:
Karen Clegg Allen
Arlington
TX
Dearest Daddy,
It's funny, I have never thought of you as "Lost". Gone, yes, but never "Lost". I wonder why that is? Maybe it is because you are so real to me, even though I was only 11 months old when you were killed and I have no memories of you whatsoever. We never talked much about you all the while I was growing up, as a matter of fact, the only thing I remember clearly is decorating your grave every Memorial Day. I just did the math and discovered that had you lived, you would be 82 years old now. 0h, I how wish you would have been here for us. Not just for me, but Mom and Cindy and Steve.
I can't tell you how many times I have wondered what our lives would have been like had you returned from the War. I do know for certain that Mom's life would have been happier. And, I think ours also. But, that bell has been rung and no amount of wishing will undo it.
Since I am a firm believer that you have been watching over us all these years, you know what has happened in our lives. And with Mama by your side, it is my most fervent hope that your Heaven is with her and you two are able to share the love you were so lucky to have discovered all those years ago. I have this picture in my head of the two of you, sitting on a cloud, holding hands, laughing and crying right along with your family as we go along with our day to day lives. You both died so young - and in my mind's eye you will remain forever young.
I know you loved poetry. What what was your favorite color? What did your laugh sound like? What were your hopes and dreams? Did you want to stay in Nebraska or move across the country? Did you really want to have a career in the Army or was that something you were doing to please your Dad? What did you think of your three kids? Did you love us? Did you know that Steve looked exactly like you? Are you proud of the way we all turned out? How about those grandkids of yours?
And now, are you watching over your Great Grandchildren too? Gracious, I could go on for hours with all the questions. The one question I used to ask all the time was, WHY? Why did YOU have to die? Didn't you want to come home to us? And then I realized that the choice was not yours at all. It never was. I like to think that IF you could have, you would have come home and we M16HT have had the life I used to dream of having with you and Mama and Cindy and Steve. But then one day, I realized that God, in His infinite wisdom had something else in mind for all of us.
So, rather than bemoan what might have been, I look forward to meeting you one day. Then, I know all of my questions will have answers and I will finally be able to know who you were. Although, I suspect that you have been with us all along - I know I have seen you in the clouds.
With love and anticipation of meeting one day.
Your daughter,
Karen
Letter 65 - Written By:
James E. Murrell Jr.
Camden
NJ
October 24, 2006.
Re: Letter to my uncle, 1Lt. Travis L. Banks, G Co., 7th Cavalry Regt.(Inf), 1 Cav. Div. (Killed in action on Oct. 3, 1951).
I was barely eleven months old on that night when those Chinese appeared seemingly out of nowhere, over-running and decimating your unit to almost the last man. Killing you and breaking both your mother's and my mother's hearts. You would never get to see me and I would never get the opportunity to know my mom's youngest brother whom everyone in the family always said was such a kind, genial man and such a brilliant mechanical engineer. When I think of you I try not to be bitter but its so hard not to blame the red Chinese for taking you from us so soon. I think it's so hard for me to forgive them because after my own pilgrimage on this earth of fifty-five years, the world hasn't changed much. The Chinese still have ill-feelings towards us and I do believe they still silently harbour illusions of grandeur. North Korea is now a bigger pain in the....well, you know.
It's America's fault too. We still send our country's willing and able sons (and now daughters) overseas to fight, to die for some obscure political reasons known only to the elect.
I'm sorry uncle, for getting away from the subject of my letter but every time I think of you dying on that hill in North Korea I can't help but feel sorry for myself just a little. How different might my life have been with you in it?...and how different would our world be now if we had pushed ahead and taken the whole Korean peninsula then? I know that wars are necessary at times but shouldn't they be either won or lost? Should the lives of America's bravest be sacrificed for any nation other than our own? The only ones qualified to answer these questions have all been killed, mostly on foreign soil.
No the times have not changed Uncle, though among still are brave sons and daughters willing to shed precious blood over there, for those they love and hold dear here.
I'm sorry uncle, for this is a solemn occasion, not a time for self-pity on my part. 1 just miss you is all, though many don't understand why, seeing as you and I never met. My mother loved you dearly and through all these years has spoken often of you, so I suppose I have a good alibi for loving you. I inherited it.
"this is My body which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me" (I Corinthians, 11:24).
Sincerely, Your Nephew,
James E. Murrell, Jr.
Camden, N.J. 08104
P.S: Mom and I fly our flags every Holiday and always on October 3rd
Letter 66 - Written By:
James M. Windsor
Clovis
CA
October 23, 2006
A letter to all my lost friends in 555th FA, B Battery,
I have often wondered how any of us made it out of "Death Valley" but most of all why I made it and you did not. Although I know that it is not realistic I have prayed that all of you made it out but that I just missed you in the hospital in Japan.
I have many memories of the Triple Nickel and the days in Korea. They are not all bad; many are very comforting to reflect on. Like the time we were trying to drive a steel fence post into the ground, the only thing we had to drive it with was a big rock, the rock hit at an angle and fell and left a sizable scar on my arm, a scar that I still have. Just rubbing it brings up memories. The time we all bathed and washed our clothes and dried them on bushes, several of us were allergic to something in the bush and had a rash that nothing would ease.
Well, there is one thing I know for sure. You were all good soldiers and I know that you are guarding the streets of Heaven now. Some day I plan to join you and we can sit around and tell war stories.
I was fortunate enough to come home. I have tried to live my life in a way that would not discredit the memory of all of you. I went to school and became an engineer, married a wonderful woman that gave me two sons, six grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. They have supported me in my work with veterans even when it interfered with activities that they would have enjoyed more. My work with veterans, the active military and their families is my way of showing that soldiers are important, that their families are important and that we are just one very big family.
Farewell my friends, comrades, brothers. Save a place for me in God's garden. It probably won't be long.
SSG James M. Windsor
Letter 67 - Written By:
Katheryn Murray-Lindsey
Fremont
CA
FOR Floyd A. Murray
Sgt, US ARMY 39121106
KIA 04 April 1951 So-chon-ni (near the 38th parallel)
Korea
My loving brother Bud,
So much has happened in the years since you gave your life in defense of your country.
I wish I could say that the war in which you fought was the "war to end all wars," but sadly, we have continued to see conflict, war and violence.
What you did in service for your country, however, will never be forgotten.
But service was always a part of your life. You took care of me as an infant when our mother was ill, and even though I was young, the stories and memories of your kind touch and loving ways remain a part of our past.
I still treasure the mementoes you sent me during your time in the service. To see and touch them helps me keep you a part of my life.
You'll be pleased to know that I grew up! I married and had a wonderful life with my husband Keith and together we had three children, Kym, Kevin and Karin. I know that you would have been proud of them all.
Keith and Kevin are no longer here with us, but like you, they remain in my thoughts on a daily basis.
Bud, there are so many things that I would like to share with you, but none is more precious than my continued love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is He who gives me comfort and strength, even during the trying times. I look so forward to the time when He will reunite us for all eternity.
Until that day comes, I want you to know that I love you and respect you, not only as a brother, but as one who unselfishly gave his life. As we read in the holy Scriptures, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."(John 15:13)
Thank you. I love and miss you.
To God be all glory now and forever.
Your loving sister,
Katheryn Murray-Lindsey
Letter 68 - Written By:
Arthur E. Noot
Winter
WI
October 24, 2006
A Letter to the Lost
As a Navy Medic, I rarely had opportunity to learn your name, whether aboard the hospital ship Repose or in the neighborhood of Inchon or Seoul. You were so many. Many of you died. Many of you survived with physical or emotional wounds you would carry the rest of your lives. Most of you were Americans. Some of you were Chinese or North Korean wounded prisoners. Some of you came from other countries. All of you were doing what you had to do and you did it in the best way you could.
I made it back safely and without physical wounds. The years passed, there was college, marriage to a wonderful wife, three children, then grandchildren. As with most folks, there were successes, failures, and a good deal of uncertainty from time to time. To this day, quite often I still see you as you were. I see Kim Bong Ku standing for the first time laughing at his new name "no face" because most of his face was shattered. I see the Joel struggling with the fact that he has lost his legs. I see others with horrible burns ... the memories of this kind endure and somehow ties us together. I was just a kid, eighteen years old. I was afraid some of the time and too young to be afraid other times. Human, I guess, because you were afraid, too.
This is my way of a Memorial to those who served in Korea and a Memorial who were lost forever in Korea.
Pax
Arthur E. Noot
Letter 69 - Written By:
Dr. Gary Taylor Ph.D.
Norcross
GA
AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION Billy E. Hopper Mississippi (county) Arkansas Born 1934 Private, U.S. Army Service Number 18396437 Killed in Action Died September 12, 1951 in Korea Private Hopper was a member of the 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on September 12, 1951. Private Hopper was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.
25 October 2006
Dear Billy,
I will never forget your funeral on a sun-filled day in October in 1951, with the fall leaves swirling in the wind. We received word that you had died in action on September 12, 1951, as a member of the 27th Infantry Regiment, Wolfhounds. I can still hear the playing of taps and the rifle salute. You had a lot of friends - and most of them seemed to be there in the cemetery that day. You were just 17. I was 18 - and very soon I would also be caught up in the Korean War. I remember our hunting together and your friendship and your large family - your sister Catherine, very beautiful, who married my uncle Lawrence.
Later, I found out that somewhere in the family tree on my mom's side, you Hoppers were on a branch. Your best friend was there - Robert Birmingham - went on to become a medical doctor. My sister Janet, two years younger than you, went on to advanced degrees at Vanderbilt, teaching and becoming a Superintendent - you would be proud of her accomplishments. After serving in the Army, I went on to college, thanks to the GI Bill - eventually got my doctorate, taught both high school and college, becoming an academic dean. I even spent three years with the Tactical Air Command in Germany, teaching college-level courses to Air Force personnel. On this memorable night of November 11, I'll think of you again as I fly over the Atlantic to eastern Europe - part of a goal of seeing as much of the world as possible. It has been 55 years since I leaned against the black trunk of a tree in the cemetery. You made the supreme sacrifice that allowed freedom to flourish in South Korea. We honor you for your sacrifice and love for America. You are forever young in our hearts.
I know that I will see you again,
Gary Taylor, Ph.D.
Letter 70 - Written By:
Debbie Hunt
Marshfield
MO
OUR HERO
MY UNCLE: CHARLES SIZEMORE (BUDDY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS) ARMY CAVALRY DIVISION
I DID NOT KNOW MY UNCLE BUDDY HE DIED NOVEMBER 2,1950, 5 YEARS BEFORE I WAS BORN. BUT YOU WERE LOVED BY THOSE WHO KNEW YOU. YOU WERE A FUNNY, LIFE LOVING PERSON SO I AM TOLD. YOU PLAYED MUSIC IN THE FAMILY COUNTRY WESTERN BAND. THEY SAY YOU WERE THE GROUP COMEDIAN. BUT YOU LEFT IT ALL TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY. WE LOST YOU THERE IN KOREA. YOU FINALLY CAME HOME TO BE LAID TO REST, OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR 2006. THEY IDENTIFIED SOME OF YOUR REMAINS WITH DNA FROM MY DAD, YOUR BROTHER WALT AND YOUR BROTHER JIMMY. WELL UNCLE BUDDY, YOU ARE STILL MISSED BUY THOSE WHO KNEW AND LOVED YOU, I WILL MEET YOU ONE DAY. TILL THEN YOU ARE LOVED AND HONORED.
LOVE FROM YOUR NIECE
DEBBIE
Letter 71 - Written By:
Carl F. Ullrich
Virginia Beach
VA
Letter To LCpl David Champaign, USMC, who died on 28 May 1952, from wounds suffered when he threw himself on a North Korean grenade, saving the lives of his Fire Team who were in cover in a shell hole during an operation of A/1/7 on that date.
Dear David,
I am watching the third game of the 2006 World Series between the Detroit Tigers and the St., Louis Cardinals as I write this letter to you. I wish so much that I knew you would receive it and read it
yourself. It will be read out loud to you on Veterans Day, 11 November 2006.
I think that you will remember me as your Company Commander for a few months (I was only a Second Lieutenant they had no Captains or even 1st Lieutenants to fill the billet) duty that I shall
treasure the rest of my life. A/1/7 was special and you men whowere in it were special young men special Marines. I was honored to have the responsibility of being your Commanding Officer.
I went home in June of 1952 and shortly afterward (in the Fall of 1952) began teaching High School Math in a small private school on Long Island. I also coached football and lacrosse. The most important part of that year was that I met and married in June of
1953, my wife Rebecca (nee Eves) without question the best and most important day in my life. We have been happily married for over 53 years have 5 successful children (our younger daughter
turned 50 on Monday of this week), 12 grandchildren and one great-grand daughter. They have been a joy too great to even try to put in words.
As I look back on my life, I can honestly say that it was a joy to go to work every morning of these years, as I had the opportunity to teach and coach and finally to work as an Athletic Administrator at the Naval Academy, Western Michigan University and for 10
years as the Director of Athletics at West Point. I would end my working life as the Commissioner of an athletic league in the Northeast, that included both Army and Navy. When we tried to retire in 1993, we went to North Carolina, where I wound up continuing to work as the AD at a small Division II school in
Laurinburg, North Carolina. We finally moved here to Virginia Beach in 2004, where two of our children are permanently located and have made our last move into an apartment attached to the home of our younger daughter and son-in-law. We couldn't be happier!
Three of our children were Service Families. Our middle son went to USNA and spent 14 years in the Marine Corps, retiring as a Major. Our youngest son is still in the Navy -- a Captain who was a Naval Flight Officer and never had a job in the Navy he didn't love.
This younger daughter who invited us into their home is the wife of a Naval Academy Grad, who retired after 30 years as a Captain in the Navy. He now works for a Company closely involved with the Navy here in VB.
We are approaching an Election Day that is important for our Country. I hope I cast my vote for the right candidates and voted properly for the issues also included on the election ballot.
David, I remember you so vividly and have your Medal of Honor citation hanging over my bureau in our bedroom your picture as well. I feel proud to have known you and only wish that you and your family could have been part of the ceremony naming of the new post Office in Wakefield, Rhode Island in your honor.
You are the type of man who makes our country great and I treasure the opportunity I had to know and work with you for the short time that we were together.
Sincerely,
Carl F. Ulirich
Letter 72 - Written By:
Tom Phelan
Thinking of you...
To All who were shot from the sky:
I think of you all so very often.
Tom Phelan
92nd and 98th Bomb Group (B-29)
Letter 73 - Written By:
Barbara Stowe
Bakersfield
CA
Letters to the Lost - Korea To:
CPL Connie Max Conner 7th Infantry Division
A Battery, 57th Field Artillery
Hello Connie
I was 16 and you were 18 when you were reported missing in action in Korea. I wish you could have been an uncle to my daughters and I could have nieces and nephews.
Mom and Dad never gave up hope you would come home. I am sure you are with them now in heaven.
Love from your sister Barbara
Letter 74 - Written By:
Charles H. Seideman, Col. USA Retired
Austin
TX
To Irwin Nachman
Dear Irv:
It has been a long time since you departed. In my mind you are the greatest Hero and greatest Patriot I have ever known.
To bring you up to date on my contribution to the world will take but little time. I was much luckier than you. I got out of the Kuni-ri area without a hole. In fact, the battalion had few casualties. This will be hard for you to believe but by the spring of 1951, I commanded "A" Battery. I did not get out of Korea until December 1951. In 1964, I returned to Korea and commanded the 17th FA Battalion. I remained in service and eventually retired as a colonel after thirty years. My life has been quite typical. Kitty and I have had three more children for a total of-five. After retirement we moved to Austin, Texas, where I began an equipment financing company. The business was successful for about ten years then came the economic bust. The company survived but at a reduced level, in fact, it continues to this date.
In 2001, I lost Kitty to a severe lung problem. I remarried about four years ago to a beautiful lady, a widow of my previous business associate. We are very happy.
While living in Yorktown, Virginia during the late 1960s, I visited your grave on Mercury Blvd in Hampton on several occasions. Here too, I found you are buried in a place of great honor. During this period, I noted in the local paper that your eldest son graduated from High School with honors. You would have been proud.
I still miss you from the days we were both lieutenants with the 17th Field Artillery at Fort Sill and later Korea. I can still see you standing retreat at Sill with tears streaming down your checks while the National Anthem was played. A true Patriot and my Hero.
Love,
Chuck Seideman
November 1, 2006
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