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Adair Countians in War: Explaining that look in a soldier's eye There was a haunting look we all saw, and it touched us deeply. But it took another veteran to recognize what had taken place in a life. The photo of a weary Vietnam soldier posted here had haunted another veteran, who had seen that "look" in a soldier's eyes so many, many times during his own combat times in the Korean War. (Sgt) Kenneth Scott commented on it just after it's posting. Then on Father's Day, a gift from his daughter gave him the answer, summed up by an unequalled war correspondent killed in World War II. The events after that follows, along with a brief book review. -ED By Joe Hare, Black Lion, B Co. 2/28 Inf, 1st Inf Division, 1967 Today, 18 Jun 07 (Sgt) Kenneth Scott brought me a copy of a quote by Ernie Pyle,* a famous war correspondent of WW II, who, according to Wikipedia, was killed 18 Apr 45 in the Pacific Theater, (Sgt) Scott had found it in military book that had recently been a present from his daughter. The quote is below in it entirety. "A soldier who has been a long time in the line does have a 'look' in his eyes that anyone with practice can discern. It's a look of dullness, eyes that look without seeing, eyes that see without transferring any response to the mind. It's a look that is the display room for the thoughts that lie behind it--exhaustion, lack of sleep, tension for too long, weariness that is too great, fear beyond fear, misery to the point of numbness, a look of surpassing indifference to anything anybody can do to you. It's a look I dread to see on men." - Ernie Pyle, April 5, 1944 from Time Presents Life: Our Finest Hour. The Triumphant Spirit of the World War II Generation c2001 TIme, Inc.Since receiving this quote I have read and reread it, and feel this fits me at that time of my life. The accompanying photo was made after I had been in Nam 9 or 10 months, sometime after 17 Oct 67. I had been through the loss of my best friend on 1 May during Operation Junction City, the battle at LZ XRAY during Operation Billings where our platoon lost 8 men (all friends) KIA in one day, the battle of Ong Thanh where our Battalion took the worst ass kicking it had received in many years, 57 KIA and 2 MIA (still missing) in one day 17 Oct 67. Along with all this was the many small fights that occurred over few days. It really is quite amazing that as much as things change, how they remain the same. As Mr. Pyle wrote it in 1944. It fit in 1967, and I can only imagine that it still fits today. I guess we all feel that our war was the worst. There really is not a lot of difference. They all had their rough times, and as bad as things were at times, I can honestly say I would do it again today if my country needed me. I really believe that a very, very large percentage of former American soldiers would feel the same, at least thats what I going to believe. Thank you, Mr. Ernie Pyle, for your quote. Black Lions, Sir (Sgt) Joe Hare B Co. 2/28 Inf 1st Inf Division 1967 *Ernie Pyle: Kenneth Scott remembers the late William "Wild Bill" Cheatham recounting being near Ernie Pyle when he was killed in the South Pacific. Cheatham was in the infantry. He was the son of the late C.D. "Cash" Cheatham. This story was posted on 2007-06-19 09:03:39
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More articles from topic Veterans and Veterans Day:
Veterans list update May 29, 2007 Veteran's list update: May 28, 2007 Memorial Day Weekend: Remembering the sacrifice in Vietnam Veteran's list: A memory of a fine man, Bryan Royse Three members of Taylor family added to Veterans List Honoring Adair County Veterans: Two names added Veterans List: a Merrill's Marauder, former AC magistrate added Whitney Kemp adds another Knifley veteran to list Veterans List: Another Little Cake veteran added Veterans List: Cosby Sinclair, World War II, added View even more articles in topic Veterans and Veterans Day |
 
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