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First Person Story One crisp day in the fall of 1951, in the picturesque lovely country of Korea, atop a lonely hill we fell in with bad company. Our ungrateful hosts took exception to our plans. They placed holes in many of our hides. I was wildly, on the ground, looking for a place to hide, when I became the object of their anger, consequently my holes were in my back. As a result, I could not see any damage and therefore I was not as frightened as I should have been. My comrades were unable to get me to the aid station that night. So early the next morning I walked. Not the smartest thing I have ever done. My arrival at the Battalion Aid Station was highlighted by a detailed explanation of my stupidity. It seems that they had dispatched litter bearers, at first light, to pick us up. Now I had wasted all that valuable time and scarce resources. I explained that if it would make them feel better I would walk back, up the hill, and lay down so we could start over. The rest of the trip was a fog. I remember an ambulance to a MASH unit in a smelly rice paddy (It was here that they removed the bullet.). A truck convoy to a school building in the capital city of Seoul and on to the port city of Inchon. Then there was a long train ride to Pusan and a trip, in a sling, to the deck of the hospital ship USS Repose. What wonderful changes we experienced. We had clean sheets, mattress, good food, and the best of care. My treatment was to be minimal for a week or so as my right lung had re-inflated itself. Now they wished to see how much of the flesh would die in order to cut the dead tissue out before sewing me up. An old friend from the 1st Marine Division, "Sergeant Dan", was also a guest aboard this outstanding ship of the sea. He told me of the many things he had learned. First, we were in the middle of a big city. Second, the city was full of people who did not seem to be in the middle of a war every minute of the day. Third Dan, who had been there for some time, got liberty in exchange for minimum work (running the elevator, etc.) daily. Fourth, he spent lots of time at the Pusan City USO eating doughnuts, playing cards, and drinking coffee. Fifth he could walk any place in the city he wanted. Dan soon ran out of money. Then he was informed that he was to soon be released, back to duty. It seemed logical that he should want me to have his clothes, dog tags and Liberty Card. (Surely he would not want them to go to waste if they were not used.) The Nurse was unwittingly helpful in that on this occasion, she fitted my bandages tightly. I borrowed my friend's utilities, dog tags, and his card. Down the gangplank I went. The town was fascinatingly full of old temples and unique buildings. It was a bustling city with civilian humanity and lots of traffic. I got some fried rice, doughnuts, and walked till my legs about wore out. When I got tired, I found a comfortable curb and took a seat. I was resting and telling yarns to several Merchant Mariners when we heard the sound of whistles and horns. Some one yelled that it was the Military Police. Naturally we all started to run. I must admit that I saw the poles with three broad white stripes as I ran, but it had no meaning to me. We ran into a Korean house that appeared a little strange. It had one long hallway with rooms off to one side. The hallway led to a small courtyard in back that was surrounded by a high wall that had broken glass and barbed wire on top. As I ran past the rooms, I noted that there was much confusion inside. There I saw young ladies trying to hide Sailors and soldiers in closets and cupboards (No Marines). The Mama San (Madam) was waving her arms in an effort to get as many patrons as possible gone or out of sight. She pushed me to the back courtyard and attempted to boost me up the wall. (They had thrown a mattress over the broken glass and barbed wire on the top of the fence.) Her efforts served only to tear open my wound. Panic set in for both of us. I had started to suspect that I might be in for trouble if apprehended. The Madam, with tears in her eyes, showed me a small compartment above the back door that was very hard to see. She urged me to climb up and hide quickly and very quietly. In getting into the hidden hole, I tore my wound even more. Lying there I could see, through a crack in my floor, the Military Police and Shore Patrol pulling things apart in an effort to find every one of those miscreants. It was at this point that I noticed my blood was dripping through a hole and making a puddle in the hall. It dawned on me that I might be easily found. Knowing that "discretion is the better part of valor"; I decided to bluff my way out. I climbed from the hole, brushed dirt from my jacket, turned my back to the wall, and marched down the hall. At each cubicle, where there was a search going on, I gave stern commands to "search under each mat" or "Don't miss anything". I received a number of comments like "Sure Sarge" and "Aye Aye". My exodus pace quickened as I neared the Exit. I hit the street running and was about 20 yards from freedom when I heard "Halt or I will fire". My arms went up, and I was soon draped over the hood of the vehicle. We prisoners were taken by truck to the Provost Marshals Office, booked, led to a detention cell, and given a lecture. It was explained "Again" that any area outlined by three white stripes on poles is "out of bounds". I tried to get attention in order to explain that I had not been informed and was therefore innocent. Then I tried the old "I am a wounded veteran needing aid" bit. Nothing would deter these noble minions from charging me with a breech of an obviously unfairly applied law. I was loaded with all those guilty people and delivered back to the USS Repose at about 2:30 in the morning. The Officer of the deck was less than understanding. He sent me to the duty nurse to get my wounds cleaned and dressed. I was told that I must stand "Captain Mast at 10:00 hours that morning". Feeling remorseful, I returned to the ward and awakened "Sergeant Dan". I returned his clothes, tags, and cards. Then I explained why he was in big trouble. He had been found "Out of Bounds" (in a house of ill repute), arrested, jailed, and was on report. I went to bed. During his office hours he was reprimanded and sentenced "to be promptly returned to duty". As I feel about all that have so egregiously erred, I sincerely hope he learned his lesson and vowed "never again". - Pooky Penticost
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