Clark D. Wilson
Published: 2009-12-17
Total Pages: 48
Get eBook
The Korean War, Love and Valor Mike O "Brien fell in love with Patricia Ludlum at their high school Memorial Day assembly. The young sweethearts married in New York City in 1949. Life was wonderful; they felt they had the perfect family when Reggie was born. Little did they know that their life was about to be torn apart. This is a story of their love, the Korean war, heroism and new love found. The Korean War, 1950 to 1953, the Forgotten War, 33,665 U.S. Armed Forces members were KIA, 92,134 were wounded and 8,176 are still MIA. One million seven hundred and eighty nine thousand Americans served in the Korean War. We must not forget their sacrifice. Mike O "Brien a young New York City man served his country. His young wife received his Medal of Honor posthumously. SGreater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) No one had done more to win victory, than Mike O "Brien had. Those whose lives he saved will never forget his self-sacrificing heroic actions. Mike told his wife, if anything ever happened to him, she must get on with her life. Little did she know one of the men, saved by Mike, would be the man, she would eventually marry?Please read some of the random sample paragraphs:Early one morning her worse fears materialized when she received that dreaded telegram from the War Department. The Commanding Officer of Pine Camp and the pastor delivered it. It stated, Corporal Mike O "Brien had been KIA, killed in action in Korea. He had died in the Battle of Bloody Ridge. For valor above and beyond the call of duty; he had received the recommendation for the Medal of Honor. "Corporal O "Brien refused to leave his wounded comrades, including the commanding officer Captain Jake Smith, during the Battle of Bloody Ridge on September 5, 1951. When darkness set in the survivors attempted to withdraw to US lines. Corporal O "Brien carried the wounded Captain to safety. He then made a second trip beyond the safety of US lines to rescue Corporal Dempsey the second wounded man stranded in no mans land.Upon getting to the safety of American lines, additional enemy troops attacked. Corporal Mike O "Brien sacrificed his life by using his own body to shield the three wounded men lying in the fox hole by throwing himself on a live enemy hand grenade, that had been thrown into the fox hole by enemy soldiers. "They went back into the room. Jake said to his parents, SPatricia and I have something to tell you. , and then they told his parents how they felt. Jake then said, SPatricia has agreed to marry me as soon as I "m on my feet. Both of his parents, overwhelmed with emotion, expressed happiness to have Jake on the mend, a new daughter, and a grandson. Mrs. Smith said, SThis is the best Christmas of my life! Reggie left his fire truck, went to his mom; at the same time, he stared excitedly at Jake asking, SWill Jake be my Daddy? His mother told him yes. He clapped his hands, hugged his mom, while she took him over to Jake for a hug. When Patricia set him down on the floor, he looked up at Mrs. Smith with a big smile and said, SMy Christmas is even better than yours. Last night before you put me to bed I prayed for a Daddy! Her instrument ratings allowed her to fly at night. She often spoke about the first time that she took Reg flying at night. SWe left the airport just after sunset and had light cloud cover at 3,000 feet to a height of 5,000 feet. Once we entered the clouds, it was difficult for Reg to orient himself, because he had lost sight of the ground lights. I told Reg that this time we would climb higher and higher until we found the stars hiding above the clouds. SMom, Mom it "s so beautiful, we are almost at heavens gates. I held his hand and told him that he was absolutely right. It was our moment, one that neither of us would ever forget.