Thanks for your information. I'm learning something here that
everything I'd previously read suggested the opposite about--the large number of
cases of frostbite and some actual deaths. However, that was probably when
gangrene had spread quickly from the distal areas of the body: toes, feet and
hands, and overwhelmed the possibly poorer medical and general health condition
of the man. Perhaps the high moisture level in the air next to the
Han River didn't do you any good eaither. Thanks for your
reply.
ps/ I almost froze to death in Chi. in a terribly cold winter 15
years ago or so, and I'd say it was the high winds that almost did me in!
The temp was below zero degrees F.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 3:44
PM
Subject: Re: ALTITUDE-INDUCED ILLNESSES
in the Korean War
I was age 20 when I landed in Korea as a replacement for the 5th RCT,
USA. Being from Chicago, I never gave it any thought to a problem of any
kind once I were to be in the mountains, nor did I see anyone else have a
problem. I climbed those mountains just like anyone else at that time.
The one thing that hit me one night, was night blindness, which did not last
long. I needed another kid to hold my belt and get me to the top of the
hill.
The guys that smoked, still smoked regardless of how high we were at any
time.
When I was hit with frost bite of the fingers, I was sitting on the bank
of the Han River not far from the capital so, regardless of being high
or low, it was in the low lands that I become afflicted with frost bite.
John Sonley Korea a1951