Re: ALTITUDE-INDUCED ILLNESSES in the Korean War

[<Riata5@aol.com>]

  Thank you Blake for your reply and info about high altitude sickness . I may be wrong but I believe the home of the 10th Mountain Div was in up state N Y and I reckon that they were sent to the Pando -
Leadville area was to become acclimated to high altitude prior to their deployment to the alpine regions of Europe as ski troops etc. 
 I know that Leadville - Pando Colo. at an altitude of 10,000+ was and is a nining
 area , and thats very hard work . Is it true that these folks having been raised in that altitude were acclimated and thus weren't affected by the altitude . I know nothing in the korean hills ever bothered me but then I grew up in the mountain altitudes of Colo .
                Jerry     K W        51-52


If any veteran, or relative or friend of any Korean War veteran has experienced ALTITUDE-RELATED ILLNESSES, while serving in the mountains of Korea, especially in the cold weather, I would appreciate hearing about their experiences. I wrote a book on ALTITUDE [American Medical Association endorsed] and it’s effect on MAJOR CHRONIC MEDICAL ILLNESSES. However, I have never seen a reference to ALTITUDE-INDUCED ILLNESSES or even death caused by the thin cold air in the high mountains of Korea which our troops fought on and around. Also, does anyone know if there were special ACCLIMATION exercises provided by the American Army or Marine Corps for its troops before they went into action in the Korean mountains? Professional mountain climbers remind every climber that it takes a healthy person one day to acclimate to every 1000-foot increase in altitude. [Of course the old mountaineer's adage, "Work High, Sleep Low" won't apply in wartime] Inexperienced troops coming from the low lands of America would, therefore, seem to be the first ones hit by HYPOXIA. This lack of oxygen could quickly disable men from sea-level homes who had to carry heavy backpacks in freezing weather going up, crossing over, and coming down the many high crests and slopes.  I have read that Hannibal lost almost one division of troops to cold weather and high altitude when crossing the Alps.  Also, there's the great example of the Finnish Forest & Mountain troops during the Winter War of 1939--1940 with the Soviet Union.  I've taken the liberty to address our heroic allies of the 2nd WW during their terrible ordeal--1939/1940--with the SU by including the following: