Jul/Aug 2008 - Korean War Veterans Association

56
Book Review
Blood Runs Red White and Blue
William Abbott
World Liberty Foundation, 486 Dixie Ave., Titusville, FL 32796, (321)
269-2184, www.worldlibertyfoundation.net/publications.asp, 2008, 325
Pages, $29.95
By Dr. Kris Barnett
William Abbott is described as a “soldier’s
soldier.” Readers of his book
Blood Runs Red White and Blue will
learn exactly how Abbott defines “soldier’s
soldier” and what circumstances
led him to become renowned for his
actions in his Army communications
platoon. Furthermore, the characteristics
that made Abbott into a first-class
soldier apparently sustained him
through his experiences as a POW.
The book traces Abbott’s tenure in
Korea, beginning in 1948, and
describes the Army’s assertion that Abbott was killed in action on
December 1, 1950. In fact, the certificate of death is included in
the book as evidence of Abbott’s untimely and tragic demise.
However, while his family was led to believe he had been killed,
Abbott was actually enduring life as a POW for nearly three years.
Eventually, he returned stateside where he dedicated time and
effort to physically healing from wounds sustained during various
grueling and gory ordeals, as well as proving to the Army that he
was actually alive. Both proved to be daunting tasks.
What is abundantly clear in Abbott’s narrative is his perspective on
his role in the military and the beliefs that led him to serve his
country. For Abbott, his love of and unwavering dedication to his
country fueled his actions and sustained him even as his fellow
soldiers in the POW camps collapsed and succumbed to constant
brainwashing and swore allegiance to the Communist regimes.
This disloyalty from US soldiers did not sit well with Abbott, who
writes:
“It is one thing to do the job you are trained to do as a combat soldier—and
I make no apologies for my actions there—but it’s another
thing to maintain allegiance as a POW” (p. 15)….
“The U.S. had been able to teach its soldiers how to shoot, how to
march around a parade field, and be the best combat soldiers in the
world. But no time had been spent on making them into patriots,
which is required to function in captivity.” (p.16)
Indeed, Abbott’s tenacity and strong sense of patriotism allowed
him to remain faithful to “Old Glory” and ultimately earn, according
to him, the respect of the Chinese officers who had relentlessly
tried to beat him down. However, this respect for being “a
strong man with strong convictions” was earned only after numerous
struggles in the POW camps, including escape attempts and
one episode in which Abbott was punished for thwarting the prison
guards’ attempts to convert US soldiers to communist beliefs.
Blood Runs Red White and Blue provides an interesting look at
one man’s recollections of his experiences from Japan, to the
Chosin Reservoir, to POW marches and camps, and finally, back
to the U.S. If the book leaves you wanting to know more about the
author, included with each text is a CD supplement titled: “Old
Glory: God Flies Her Too. A Portrait of Bill Abbott.”
Weaving the narratives together, like the tight and perfect stitching
on the American flag, is Abbott’s untainted love for his country,
which is part of what makes a “soldier’s soldier.”
Safe Conduct Pass:
Better Off Forgotten?
I was looking for an old picture one of my granddaughters
wanted to see and came across something I had almost forgotten
I had. It’s a Chinese Peoples Volunteer Forces “Safe Conduct
Pass.”
I found it on the ground in Korea, probably March/April,
1951, when I was on an FO team with B/2/1, 1st Marine
Division. It’s kind of beat up from carrying it in my wallet for a
long time, but is readable.
Vince McCormick, Vmccormick@stny.rr.com
July - August 2008
The Graybeards