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The end of war was not an end of duty, and it was difficult for many GIs to accept that once the shooting stopped, they were not free to return home. At the end of the world wars some were pressed into serving with the occupying forces. And there were more painful homecomings for those who fought in Korea or Vietnam. Please note: page numbers refer to the pages in "Voices of War" on which the veteran appears.
On Christmas Eve, 1951, Marine Corporal Paul Steppe was crouched in a bunker in Korea when two grenades landed nearby. He was able to avoid the first one, but the second explosion wounded him in one foot and the buttocks, injuries serious enough for him to be evacuated. That was the beginning of a very long, often painful, and too often harrowing trip back to the States.
(featured on pages 247, 286-289)
“Strangely, my sympathy was quickly going to our former enemy, the German civilians.”
– William Whiting
"...Lie on your back and put your steel helmet over your face..."
Bruce Donald Fenchel's story
(pages 270, 283-284)
"...That evening I decided to edit the box of letters..."
Sally Hitchcock Pullman's story
(pages 264-267)
""One of the popular songs that fall was 'I'll Be Home for Christmas,' and we hoped we would make it."
William B. Whiting's story
(pages 257-259)
"...We were on our 22nd bomb mission -- only needed 25 to go home..."
Corbin B. Willis, Jr.'s story
(pages 284-285)
"...I did not like the army. I never met a soldier who did..."
John Caspar Wister's story
(pages 251-252)
