Sep/Oct 2005 - Korean War Veterans Association

Propaganda Corner
I Am A Helpless Flier…
Frank Williams, USAF, submitted this notice carried by UN
personnel. The message is a bit unclear—and not just because it
is written in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. It reads:
I am an American (UNITED NATIONS) flier. My plane has been
shot down and I am helpless; but I want to get back and fight
again for the peace of the world and your country.
If you will help me and yourselves by getting me to the nearest
American unit, my Government will reward you well. Help us
and we will help you.
You And Charles Wilson
Here is another piece of propaganda (right) from the Korean
War. Bob Porvaznik, a tanker in Korea, said such pieces were
“dropped on us every so often.” He saved this one, which is
enlarged a bit from the original.
“Every so often these would come floating down all over the
place,” Porvaznik recalled.” “They were used mainly as toilet
paper. I never knew anyone who took them seriously.”
Did anyone?
Tankers (L-R)
Bob Porvaznik,
Whitehall, PA;
Lloyd Dunlap,
Toboso, OH;
Andy Anderson,
Nashville, TN, on
the MLR at Hill
155 near
Panmunjom,
April 1953
Safe Flier Pass
30
Was the bearer really helpless? And what was the reward?
More importantly, did any of these messages ever result in a flier
being returned safely to friendly lines?
Williams also provided this “combat ration” form, which was
dispensed 7 November, 1952. It reads:
“B” FLIGHT OPERATIONS
TO: FLIGHT SURGEON, 6167th AB GP, APO 970
This is to certify that A 1/c Williams FRANK S. AF21768919
has completed 75 combat missions and is entitled to a combat
ration for same.
Eugene P. Ritter
Flight Commander
The ration? 1 qt. V.O. every 10 missions.
Porvaznik (R) and Andy Anderson (L) at
Outpost Carson on the MLR, cleaning the
muzzle breaker on their Sherman M4A3E8
Tank in May 1953
September - October 2005
The Graybeards