Newsletter October 27 2008






		============================================== Korean War Project Newsletter – Oct 27, 2008 Volume 11 - 2 ============================================== Table of Contents: 1. Editorial 2. KWP Technical issues 3. State of the KWP 4. For newer visitors 5. DMZ Search Announced 6. Bookstore \| Films 7. Membership 8. This Mailing List 9. 5th Cavalry Regt. Casualty Remembrance ============================================== 1. Editorial ============================================== This issue might well be called the Book Review Issue. Our shelves now hold 254 books. Most of these books have arrived as review donation copies from our readers. Many of these books are self-published so please do support the wonderful folks who have created these pieces of history. Hal and I are slowly getting the website back under control after being diverted with the issues of the litigation. The April newsletter has been our only issue this year. The outside issues we have been dealing with are the root cause of this lapse in publishing. If you have not received email newsletters or the August Advisory, your Internet Service Provider may the cause. New restrictions on mass email make it harder to deliver email in the quantity the KWP delivers. You may send email to news@koreanwar.org to obtain latest editions. Funding issues for the KWP will be discussed in Section 3 of this newsletter. ============================================== 2. KWP Technical issues ============================================== The website has been constructed around the Korean War Casualty lists. Errors in the original Department of Defense data TPSN (Army) led to many errors of unit identification or variations of the same unit. The Troop Sequencing Program used pre-war tables and MOS – Military Occupation Specialties. The resultant errors still linger as data indicate different criteria or naming. The Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and USMC data has come primarily from official publications. We are thankful for some USMC volunteers who have provided key information for hundreds of casualty unit identifications. That information has just recently been added. We now have only a few USMC losses without unit affiliation. The non-combat losses for the Army continue to be problematic – scant data to complete entries. The same holds true for Air Force and US Navy casualties. We continue to add US Navy ships and units, with 6 more added yesterday. Air Force unit additions are lagging behind. Each day more actual unit locations for ground forces are being annotated as we dig out the information. Much of that information has come from email or letters from our visitors. Hal and I do have a long list of unit additions to make for Navy, Air Force and Army. ============================================== 3. State of the KWP ============================================== We need the help of those who have used the KWP but have not helped to fund the nonprofit. Every dollar does count. We need YOU. The KWP has never been in any form of decent financial condition. Our average gross since incorporating as a 501c3 nonprofit (1997) has been $43,000.00 US gross per year. 99% of our viewers do not assist. There is an average of 1155 individuals/groups, per year, that do contribute. That leaves about 3 million or so of you who have not. We need YOU. We have never done a cost center fund drive typical of large nonprofits. But, we have the same type of fixed cost expenses. Large variable costs center on equipment failure or upgrade. Most of our fundraising is email driven. Sadly, many of our contacts have outdated email addresses. Many more of our long term donors have died or not in financial condition to assist any longer. If you can help, please do so. See our Membership/Donations section 7. ============================================== 4. For our newer visitors ============================================== Several thousand of our visitors don't really know the Korean War Project. The early days up through the middle of 1999 featured a very personal touch from Hal and I. We were able to send out immediate email for daily Guestbook or Looking For entries. Telephone calls could be answered immediately. Major news media reports in March and June of 1999 changed all that. From that time forward the daily onslaught of requests has been daunting, to say the least. Hundreds more media articles to include live TV on CNN have made 'success' even more of a challenge since then. The staff includes Hal and I. Our system is home-based and comprises 6 computers of which one is a state of the art web server. We use a dedicated DSL telephone line. Hal does the design and background programming. I do the day to day business and contact related work. I also build and maintain all our computers, networks, security and databases. We went from part-time web dudes to pretty much full time in early 2000. Security became a huge part of our daily routine in the fall of 2001 when Asian and Russian spam or hacking became prevalent. We lost many of our visitors during that time due to direct spam attacks, many of lewd content. That experience forced an ongoing technical fight that continues today. See our About the Project section at: www.koreanwar.org/html/about_the_project.html ============================================== 5. DMZ Search Announced ============================================== The Republic of Korea and the JPAC teams in Hawaii announced last week that a first ever search for remains of US Missing in Action is in the works. The KWP has not had the opportunity to discuss this program with either Dpt of Defense or the JPAC offices in Hawaii. The KWP was requested by the BBC Worldwide Radio to comment live on the air last week. The focus was on the importance of the announced search. Likewise, Robin Piacine of the Alliance of Families was interviewed by BBC1 Television. There was no mention by the Korea Times, who broke the story, about the DPRK involvement. Obviously, this is very politically important as the North Koreans would have to be heavily involved. The search area seems to be inside the wire and on the southern boundary of the 4 kilometer zone. Those of you who served in Korea know how many casualties may still be there and the terrain difficulties to be encountered. Dangers include old artillery ordnance, mines, bombs, and hand grenades. This area was also sprayed with defoliants to include Agent Orange as well as a concoction of other toxins. We shall keep you informed as the plans become public. ============================================== 6. Bookstore \| Films ============================================== Preface: many of you have asked Hal and I over the years about publishing your own book. The costs are steep but many of the publishing houses allow a limited number to be printed on demand. Our website started due to the lack of manuscript reviewers understanding Hal's "Return to Heartbreak Ridge". The rejection notices all said that the characters were not believable. ========a.========== I Do Solemnly Swear by Paul Tardiff Copyright 2006 by Paul Tardiff. The Army career in Korea and Vietnam. Cost: $17.34 check or M.O. includes $15 for book, State tax & mailing. Order: Tardiff-Book P.O. Box 8307 Bangor, ME 04401 W.H. (Bill) McWilliams, Jr. author of On Hallowed Ground and other works is a highly decorated Vietnam veterans and president of Military Writers of America said this: I thoroughly enjoyed reading the memoir of Sergeant Major Paul Tardiff. His book explores his combat experiences in Korea and Vietnam all the way through his army career. Tardiff understands some of the most emotional and dangerous events of his life. He is obviously a leader of men and also a man of principle. His writing style is clean and efficient and makes easy reading. I found myself engrossed in the book and in the man. He comes off as he kind of guy men would follow without hesitation into battle or just spend time with. This story would be great reading for other career military men or for people who love to read about strong people and heroes. This book receives the Military Writers Society's highest book rating of FIVE Stars. Note: Paul was a member of the 7th Infantry Rgt, Wounded in Action. ========b.========== The Chosin Chronology 2007 Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, 1950 Author: George Rasula Maps by Melville Coolbaugh Via Compact Disc This e-book is an excellent companion to The Changjin Journal because it provides all the topographic maps necessary to understand the entire Chosin campaign, as well as never before published photographs. The Table of Contents and Index enables the user to make one-click link to the page containing the document desired. The Changjin Journal has been the special project of Col Rasula as part of his work with the Army Chapter of the Chosin Few and his personal experience of the Chosin Campaign. 45 Maps, 50 high quality photographs Visit this website for a very detailed view of the contents, and ordering information: www.changjin1950.com Cost: $20.00 US (Bulk order discounts available) Mail to: Changjin 1950 P.O. Box 943 Central, SC 29630 Contact for information:rasula@changjin1950.com Contact for webmaster: webmaster@changjin1950.com ========c.========== Confess Confess Confess: The True Story Of A Prisoner Of War by Nick A. Flores Published by Turner Publishing Company - 2003 412 Broadway Paducah, KY 42002-0121 www.turnerpublishing.com ISBN: 1-56311-878-5 Hardcover Price: $30.00 US includes shipping and handling Order: Nick A. Flores 4333 Reno Highway Space 6 Fallon, NV 89406 Email Order: proudusa@sbcglobal.net Nick enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17. Within 18 months, he found himself right in the middle of the Korean War, a prisoner of the Chinese army. After enduring over 33 months of hell in the Chinese POW Camps he was repatriated on August 20, 1953. He now lives in Nevada where he spends his time fishing, relaxing and visiting with family. Nick's story is compelling for his tenacity, escapes, respect among fellow POW's and the long agonizing time for him to become recognized for his heroic deeds. No lesser a figure than Walter E. Boomer, General United States Marine Corps helped to right the decades of neglect. This is must reading for any military man and especially for those families who had loved ones taken prisoner in Korea. Semper Fi, Nick, well deserved and what a book! ========d.========== Carolina Roots: From Whence I Came by Tom Shytle Self-published and may be ordered at: www.booksurge.com and www.amazon.com Order: Tom Shytle 187 Hufmann Rd Blacksburg,SC 29702 Email: shytlet@bellsouth.net Tom was a member of the 136th Fighter Bomber Wing. Tom hails from Western North Carolina, Bryson City. In the 1930's it was a pretty typical mill town. The Depression Years were exacting a heavy toll on rural NC as it did all over the country. Tom details the struggle of rural North Carolina and his desire to enlist in the military. From Tom: As you know a lot of our citizens never give a second thought to the special challenges career military families face. That isn't meant to be a complaint, but a statement of fact. Periodic moves to a post half way around the world meant uprooting a family, taking kids out of school and saying goodbye to friends and family alike. And it could mean separation. Staying behind while the service member is sent to a war zone or remote station is one of the toughest propositions facing a military family. Adaptability was a key perquisite to 'making it' and once that simple truth was learned we all had it made. Tom's book reads well, very thoughtful and comfortable. His United States Air Force career is fully detailed. ========e.========== Marine Rifleman: Forty-Three Years In The Corps By Col. Wesley L. Fox, USMC (Ret.) MOH Published by Potomac Books, Inc. PO Box 960 Herndon, VA 20172-0960 PH: 1-800-775-2518 www.potomacbooks.com Col. Fox is back again with another fine book to complement his other fine works to include many articles published in military magazines. This book details his life, a full one by any measure. Naturally, all Marine oriented reviewers have given outstanding comments on this book. His long career as a writer is complemented well with this work. ========f.========== The Korean War: A View From The Rear by Grant W. Cole ...is an account of life in the rear support area for both soldiers and Korean civilians during the war. It can be ordered from the publisher for $26.95 plus shipping charges Allow 12 to 14 days for delivery. 8x11 size with color plate photography The publisher can be reached on line or by telephone. www.authorhouse.com ISBN 978-1-4343-6523-1 1663 Liberty Drive, Suite 200 Bloomington, IN 47403 Toll Free: 1-888-519-5121 The author grew up in the Los Angeles area. He was drafted into the Army and his machinist skills warranted a job in the Ordnance Corps. He was in Seoul with a maintenance unit supporting repair operations of vehicles for the front lines, 30 miles away. Readers will certainly enjoy the book. ========g.========= Transforming The Ranks: Black Female Sergeants Major by CSM (Ret.) Harold Hunt Published by Hunt Enterprises 6408 Michael Elizabeth Way Hanover, MD 21076 PH: 410-796-1866 Email: sgmofcolor@aol.com ISBN: 13-978-1-886715-39-4 Price: 24.95 plus Shipping and Handling CSM Hunt is back again with another remarkable book on Command Sergeants Major of Color. This offering is really a bookend to the previous offerings on male counterparts. Our readers will know by now that CSM Hunts' fine books go into multiple printings. We wish the very best for this new version of what has become a lifelong work. Kudos to CSM Hunt who served with the Wolfhounds (27th IR). ========h.========== Come In, Swanee Leader: The Thirty-Three-Month Odyssey of an LST in the 1950's by Jim Staley Published by Good Buy Sweet Prints PO Box 684 Woodacre, CA 94973 PH: 415-488-4388 www.swaneeleader.com email: jstaley@earthlink.com ISBN: 978-0-9816311-0-3 Hardcover large glossy format Jim served on the USS LST 561. The ship was involved in a wide variety of operations to include refugee and POW transport. Folks, all I can say is that this book is marvelous. High quality photography, details of the ship configuration and duties. A must read by any standard. Editor Note: Jim has offered to front 50% of his receipts to the Korean War Project. The buyer must identify that the purchase was recommended by the KWP. ========i.========== Battle at the 38th Parallel: Surviving the Peace Talks at Panmunjom by Joseph E. Gonsalves, USA (Ret.) Published by Hellgate Press PO Box 3727 Central Point, OR 975020032 PH: 541 245-6502 Price: $18.95 Sold at www.amazon.com Joe was with the Easy Co 17th Infantry Rgt during the time period of his book. The book is divided into sections that parallel the Peace Talks and the horrendous fighting taking place, right up to the very last day of the war. The talks, the fighting and personal narratives give both the uninitiated and the veterans a hard look at what it took to end the war. The horrible casualties of the last 6 months of the war are detailed. The 17th suffered 18 percent of all its casualties in this last year of the war, 788 men. Review: "An interesting, hard-hitting, and technically accurate work which brings to light the real hardships of soldiers in combat." - LTG Carman Cavezza (Ret.) Former Commandant, Ft. Benning, Infantry School ============================================== 8. This Mailing List (going to 40,000 + persons) ============================================== We began this newsletter mailing in December of 1998. The first issue went to just over 2000 persons. This list is a private list for our visitors and members. A person may join or leave the list at will. It is compiled from our Guest Book and comprises public service messages of general interest to veterans and families. To join or leave the list: email to: Ted Barker tbarker@kwp.org Place: Subscribe or Unsubscribe in the subject line. Consider forwarding the Newsletter to your friends by email or print. Word of mouth is how we grow. Thanks for being part of the Korean War Project family! ============================================== 9. 5th Cavalry Regt. Casualty Remembrance l ============================================== On October 10th, 2008 the KWP received an online Remembrance for PFC Benjamin B. Hower, 5th Cav Rgt. The story has two levels, one his background which follows, two, is the decades of neglect by the Department of Defense for his actual name. To compound the issue, his actual grave marker is mis-spelled. Benjamin's actual name is Hauer. His grave lists Hawer. The KWP adds comments to each casualty file for our online Remembrance. Read on: Comments: Private First Class Hower was a member of the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on August 25, 1950. He was born in Goentz, Hungary, to David and Camilla Hauer. Both parents and a brother perished at Auschwitz in the Holocaust. DOD databases list "Hower." Original name is confirmed "Hauer." According to Michelle (Hauer) Spitzer, he is buried at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, New Jersey, under the name "Benjamin B. Hawer." Next: from his family member, Michelle Spitzer: Benjamin B Hower (also Hauer) was my uncle. He was born in Hungary To David and Camilla Hauer of Goentz, Hungary. His family was sent to Auschwitz where his mother was gassed upon arrival. His father and younger brother died during their concentration camp interment. His brother Miklosh (also known as Miki, or Mordecai survived and emigrated to Israel, then the US and his sister Esther (also Edit) also survived and emigrated to Israel. Benjamin was so grateful to the Americans for liberating him that he wanted to be adopted by an American family. He was adopted by an American family in Minnesota. His dream was to be an American soldier. He kept running away to join the army, but they wouldn't let him enlist because he was too young. When he turned 18, he enlisted into the army and at 20 years old, he was killed in Korea. He is buried in Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, NJ under the name Benjamin B Hawer. I never was blessed with the opportunity to have know my uncle but I am proud of him none the less for his sacrifice on behalf of this nation. He was the only Holocaust survivor killed in the Korean war. ------ end ------ Editor Note: We thank the Spitzer and Hauer families for their warm Remembrance of this fine young man. Don't all of you think this story resonates for the US, a nation made up of immigrants? The KWP immediately changed Benjamin's name so that other family may more easily find him. Our work faces similar challenges with many other of our fallen that may have their names displayed incorrectly. ------------------------------------------- Thanks to all who have made this newsletter and the website possible! Donors: www.koreanwar.org/html/membership.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hal and Ted Barker