The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

BOOKS from page 6
(This book was selected by the 50th
Anniversary Commemoration Committee
to place on their web page
http://korea50.army.mil/ I first saw the
book there. Proudly, I now have it. A great
book for young and old for it tells of the
suffering of losing everything you have
including loved ones. The story and illustrations
are beyond my ability to describe
in words. The illustrations will take you
back in time to a place you remembered 50
years ago. This is a must book for all veterans
of that war to teach our grandchildren
why we feel our efforts to keep South
Korea free was worth all costs. A great
“Tell America” tool. Editor.)
You Tremble Body
By Dudley C. Gould
Author dudley c gould, an 80-year-old
veteran of the Korean war who has written
a startling new book of his experiences and
reflections. In a book rich in quotations
and philosophical observations, gould tells
it very much like it is in war —ugly and
miserable. Survivor of two wars, Dud’s
memories of soldiering goes back to the
mid-twenties standing in awe at the convoy
of wild-eye artillery horses bouncing
caissons of heroes through Watertown,
NY, sitting straight at attention, arms
crossed shoulder high. Mighty chariots of
war, the Fifth Field Artillery Battalion,
founded by Captain Alexander Hamilton,
cantering to full gallop passing the old
Soldiers Monument at Public Square,
thrilling townsfolk; moving from quarters
at nearby Madison Barracks to summer
cannonading on the deep ranges of Pine
Camp, now Fort Drum, ten miles north.
During the hot summer of 1937, as
Nazis grew to power in Europe, clad in the
itchy woolen uniform of the AEF at a
Citizens Military Training Camp,
Plattsburgh Barracks, taught to kill wholesale
by the First Division whose older sergeants
were combat veterans of the War to
End all Wars. From 1937 to ‘38 Infantry
ROTC, Pershing Rifles, Syracuse
University with the old Springfield rifle.
Commissioned in the US Infantry after
two years Royal Canadian Army and a
year training in the US Army Air Force,
ending in Czechoslovakia facing Ruskies
and memories skip ahead to the black night
of 15 May 1951, Dud’s rifle platoon is
overrun on an outpost and he plays dead
while the screaming Chinese Fourth Field
Army trots by. On the 23rd of the May
Massacre clipped by a sniper, much more
misery, and home to brood over bloody
scenes. Locating a few fellow survivors,
inspired to put it all down – You Tremble
Body.
(I read all of this book. Dudley admitted he
is agnostic and it is obvious in his book.
Dud is a long time editor and he has a way
with words and a very keen mind at age 80.
His story of war & personal life leaves
nothing to be imagined. Editor.)
Reluctant Hero
In Reluctant Hero, just out from
Leathers Publishing, author Jacob Carrol
Potter details the exploits of a soldier
forced to return to the service during tile
Korean War. Often called the Forgotten
War, those who were there will never forget
the government’s bungled attempts to
win this war with very little support. And
the protagonist, Sergeant Klect, is determined
that the Army will not, through the
stupid actions of self-important officers,
cause him or any of his three friends to be
listed amongst those soldiers not making it
back home.
This book is not meant to be used as a
history of war, but is intended only to
detail certain things that happened to people
at that time. Though many of the incidents
are true, the story has been fictionalized.
There are many amusing things that
happened in these circumstances, showing
that the soldiers have a capacity to laugh at
themselves even in the face of such dangerous
undertakings. Without this sense of
humor, they would lose their spirit and
give up. But this does not demean the
heroics of these brave young men.
Reluctant Hero will prove an interesting
and entertaining read for many people,
especially those interested in history. It
may prove recognizable to the veterans of
the Korean War, but they will also remember
the camaraderie and friendships forged
during this very difficult time in their lives.
To order Reluctant Hero ($9.95 plus
$2.00 shipping) or to schedule author
Jacob Potter for a speaking engagement
and book signing, please contact Leathers
Publishing. Phone (913) 498-2625. Tollfree:
1-888-888-7696. Fax: (913)498-
1561. Email: leatherpub@aol.com.
(I did not have enough time to read this
220 page book. I just scanned it for now.
Short chapters, large print, no pictures and
a cute meaningful message at the end from
the former wife since the author passed
away at a young age of 57. –Editor.)
Combat Chaplain
By Frank Griepp
“Your book, more aptly titled The
Chaplain’s Fighting Congregation, gives
more information about that year in Korea
when I served as Army News
Correspondent in 1950-51. As a news
report your book applies equally well to all
the troops in Korea.” –Major Charles
McAleer.
My daily letters home tell of the difficult
battles our men fought with heroism,
often ill-clad, ill-equipped, and illsupplied.
They took and held the high
ground, the hills and mountains of central
and northern Korea. Illustrated, with 17
combat photographs. Order your copy
from Ch Griepp, at 3505 Coolheights Dr.,
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, price
$9.95, postpaid.
(I also found Chaplain Griepp’s book a
very moving history of men in combat and
their inner feelings of the sights of war.
This is the type of hero Chaplain Griepp
was:
“He soon learned the rewards of going the
second mile. Not content to stay in his tent
office, he spent more time with the ground
soldiers. Certainly he always had a jeep,
when it wasn’t frozen up, or stolen. But he
walked enough trails with the troopers, and
climbed enough hills up and down the length
and breadth of Korea.”
Thank you Sir for the comfort that meant
so much during those dark days.–Editor.)
Page 48
The Graybeards