My Hero

The year was 1950 and the time was after the Inchon landing, and after the UN
forces had reached the Chinese boarder and after the Chinese hoards had crossed
in Korea and after the Chinese had driven the UN forces well into The South.

A massive evacuation of men, equipment, and North Korean civilians fleeing the
Chinese army was taking place at Hungnam. Every type of boat imaginable filled
Hungnam Harbor to evacuate men, material. and the nearly 100,000 civilians from
North Korea.

During this evacuation the Marines and Army unit were holding off the Chinese
until the evacuation could be completed.

It was here that my buddy (we'll call him George since that was his name) decided
he would go give the Marines some help. Since he was Gunners Mate, he had access
to weapons and was able to pick up a rifle. Next he borrowed a Marine field jacket from
his friend Bob. He joined a Marine unit that was in the process of being over run.
To slow the Chinese advance they called in aircraft to strafe the Chinese. George was
hit by three bullets from the aircraft. As the Chinese came through their lines they
were making sure everyone was dead. They looked at George but did not bayonet
him. Shortly the Chinese were pushed back enough so medics could come and pick up
the dead Marines. The first medic checked George and went to look at others. The
second medic saw George eyes move and hollered "HEY this one alive". George was
moved to a MASH unit in Hungnam which was in the process of evacution. During his
time laying on the ground it was so cold the blood from the wounds froze. The doc's
were so busy they didn't detect the extent of the wounds until the heat in the medical
unit started them bleeding again.

At a reunion of our ship some fifty years later, George and Bob meet again. Bob asked
for his coat back. George advised him that it was full of bullet holes and no use to anyone.

The Marine officer wanted give George a medal. The Captain of our ship wanted to give
him a court martial. He didn't get either one.

There are other stories about George but I'll hold them for a later time