Korea, The Forgotten War.

[eric fisher]

Korea, # 19, Some posts about medals were laughable to me, with '39-'45 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star+clasp, Burma Star etc., I have a heavy to port list when tagging poppies in November.

# 18, Served my Nat Service '46 - '48 in Royal Artillery, 40mm A.A in Wales. Because of DEMS gunnery training in '43 was by then a 'Hot Shot'.

# 17, True, U.S. Military, including their 'Merchant Marine' awarded medal for 1 yes, (one) Atlantic crossing.

In fairness, suffered many losses off the U.S. east coast during the 'Happy' days for uboats in '42.

Less We Forget

[Ivan Cloherty]

# 17, True, U.S. Military, including their 'Merchant Marine' awarded medal for 1 yes, (one) Atlantic crossing.

In fairness, suffered many losses off the U.S. east coast during the 'Happy' days for uboats in '42.

Less We Forget

Eric we will never forget the sacrifices made by the U S Merchant Marine, they were victims of their own Govts complacency about blackouts on the East Coast, as well as their anti British Admiral King who would not, until late in the war, institute a convoy system because in WWI it had been a British initiative, it certainly was a second happy time for U-Boats.

I don't decry anyone who earned a ribbon/medal when serving in a war zone, no matter what service or mercantile marine they served in, but having talked to some US Servicemen in the UK and asking what they had, and they are wearing ribbons for being stationed abroad in the UK or Germany certainly is not my idea of an award to be worn alongside those earned in war zones.

I am also a great believer in only those who earned the medals should be allowed to wear them, the wives/sweethearts/children/grandchildren/nieces/nephews etc etc should not be allowed to wear them, they did not earn them.

I wear only my own, though under current rules could wear my father's, but I didn't earn them, he did, I never went through his hardships or experiences, so why should I wear them. Just my personal opinion.

Eric as always, thank you for your service, it is, and always will be appreciated

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Eric.
Post#19. Sorry if I put it in a clumsy way, was only pointing out why a bloke serving in Japan wouldn't be entitled to a Korean medal , my apologize if I upset you in any way. My late brother served in the MN during the 2nd world war so there is no way i would disrespect his memory.
Cheers Des

redc.gif

[eric fisher]

Not at all Des, no need to apologize and not clumsy. My awards were only because of being in the particular theatre at that time. You have good reason to respect your brother, always be proud of him. I also met many veterans of most campaigns, some were phony, many were not.

You, myself and other 'older' seafarers on site are too salty to be upset by innocent chats. Look forward to your posts and always glad to reply to most things M.N. and Army during my cavalier years. Cheers, Eric

[Brett Hayes]

Dear Harry,
I enjoyed your poem, finding its free verse thoughtfully expressed.

[Fouro]

Dear Harry,
I enjoyed your poem, finding its free verse thoughtfully expressed.

Although it didn't rhyme the wording was meaningful.

Regards from,
Fouro.

[Harry Nicholson]

Although it didn't rhyme the wording was meaningful.

Regards from,
Fouro.

Thank you, Brett and Fouro; it's reassuring when folk respond. I met another Korean veteran: a chap from Lancs; he bred and exhibited poultry. He went to great lengths to recover from the edge of extinction breeds like the Scots Dumpy ( he located a few in Rhodesia and brought them back to the UK); he'd then form a breeders association to nurse the variety back to some sort of popularity before looking for another to rescue. A fascinating man - sadly I lost touch as the years went by.

[happy daze john in oz]

Like so many other wars of that era, a war between USA and Russia fought on the soil of another country.

But now it is civil war in so many countries, Syria, Afghanistan and a few others.
World war two may have ended but world war three is in full swing in so many countries.
But unlike those of yesteryear these are local not global, but just as bad because as in WW2 with the 'final solution', it is all based on genocide.

[Fouro]

Thank you, Brett and Fouro; it's reassuring when folk respond. I met another Korean veteran: a chap from Lancs; he bred and exhibited poultry. He went to great lengths to recover from the edge of extinction breeds like the Scots Dumpy ( he located a few in Rhodesia and brought them back to the UK); he'd then form a breeders association to nurse the variety back to some sort of popularity before looking for another to rescue. A fascinating man - sadly I lost touch as the years went by.

To Harry,
It is sad as through time we all seem to lose contact with friends.
The Scots Dumpy almost disappeared as a breed, but thanks to a dedicated group of Scottish breeders in the 1970's it was brought back from near extinction. One wonders if your Korean War Veteran friend was a member of this group. However, the Dumpy remains an endangered breed.

Regards from
FOURO.

[Fouro]

An Ode to UK National Servicemen.

There once we're National Servicemen,
A sprightly little band,
They gathered them in uniform,
From all across the land,
They did not march for nothing,
They were paid four shillings a day,
As they wallowed in their billets,
Seemed a shame to take the pay.

There once were National Servicemen,
Many were sent overseas,
Hundreds to freezing Korea,
To fight thousands of Chinese,
Some we're sent to Malaya,
Egypt and Cyprus too,
Some went to sort out the Mau Mau,
Who numbered quite a few.

There once were National Servicemen,
Who did what they were asked,
Who proved on most occasions,
They were equal to the task,
Perhaps from a grateful nation,
A little 'thank you' could have been said,
Brave deeds of National Servicemen,
It seems,
Are forgotten for ever instead.

Regards from,
Four.