For many years after my combat tour in Korea, it concerned me
that something so momentous, exciting, historical, and important to me
personally, was fast disappearing in time. I felt a need to at least let my
sons and grand children know what happened to me, that I was there. I had no
records to refer to except a few old military orders and my Air Force form 5
(individual flight record). Many times I regretted not carefully logging each
flight. Only memory was available to bring back and record what happened. I am
aware of the dangers involved in trying to resurrect time and events that
happened so long ago. Accuracy must suffer to time and ego in something such as
this. However, I have tried my best to filter out what I wished had happened as
opposed to what really did. Still it must be biased, but I have diligently made
effort to be factual.
In the process of writing these stories, I have been amazed at
my memory. There seems to be no end to recalling events. What was long since
forgotten, has returned in hundreds of instances. One returning item prompts
many more. Sometimes nothing comes for a time, then in a rush a series comes
flooding back. The word processor and its ability to change, replace, and edit,
have been a necessary part. About two years ago, when a friend from Korea days
called about a reunion, I immediately recognized his voice. I hadn't heard from
him since we separated in Korea. This was the beginning.
I
have deliberately tried to leave out anything that might
seriously embarrass anyone else. Other than to give copies to my sons
and some of my family, there are no plans for its use. Writing a novel
based on this would seem to ruin its purpose. I hope you find it
interesting.There was very little of that. I started
writing with the intent of leaving out names entirely, but it didn't
seem
right. Names kept returning with other facts, so all those that I came
upon are
here. Putting this on paper has done me much good. Other than to give copies to my sons and
some of my family, there are no plans for its use. Writing a novel based
on this would seem to ruin its purpose. I hope you find it interesting.
Col. John W. Harris USAF (Ret.)
