Re: War time buddies

Bob & Bruce,

Thanks for your replies.

Bob, I hope you didn't interpret my question as a criticism, as it absolutely wasn't. Considering that even in peacetime military service friendships are often not pursued when service members receive orders to new bases (or even merely new commands at the same base) it isn't surprising that wartime attachments aren't maintained.

Before I make any generalizations or comparisons with other wars I'm obligated to make sure I have it as "right" as I can get it.

Thanks for your help.

Janet

----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Dove

To: KOREAN-WAR-L@raven.cc.ku.edu

Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2002 3:45 PM

Subject: Re: War time buddies

   It must be understood that when we fought in Korea we were mostly teen agers, or just a bit older. We were like bothers then. That bond we had will never be broken, but the men we are now aren't the same boys we were then.

   I have kept in contact over the years with only one man from my outfit in Korea. But since he lives nearly 2,000 miles from me I haven't seen him in nearly 50 years. I can't say that I really know the man he is now. But I loved the boy he was then. Maybe it is the same with all of us.

Bob



----- Original Message -----

From: Janet Valentine

To: KWAR

Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2002 2:12 PM

Subject: War time buddies

Dear List Members,

In the past you've been kind enough to help me with my research on the Korean War combat soldier, so I'm hoping that you'll be willing to aid me again. Most studies of combat soldiers conclude that while the bond among soldiers is uniquely strong, that once buddies are separated there is generally very little contact between them. In my reading of Korean War soldier memoirs this strikes me as equally true for soldiers from that war. That while, indeed, soldiers always remember their comrades, there is little effort to maintain a friendship across miles and years.

I would be very interested to learn whether this coincides with list members' experiences. Please feel free to respond off list if you'd prefer.

Thanks,

Janet

"Well behaved women rarely make history."
                                              Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

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