It was the first time the United Nations went into a country as a military entity. The combined forces were there to enforce peace and defend the invaded. Authorities were reluctant to tag it as a war and labeled it a “police action” instead.

During my time in the army, I created my own little game of keeping a running score of the Army’s victories and Fred’s victories.

I did my job, even though I devised many ingenious ways to cope with my situation, hang on to a smidgen of dignity, protect my body parts, and return home with a relatively uncluttered mind.

“All I could see was his olive drab butt escaping out an open window. I thought, he must know what he’s doing, so I followed him post haste. No way am I going to enter battle without my bodyguard.

I was probably the only G.I. in Korea who wrote his mother with a clear conscience about spending eight hours in a Korean whorehouse.