Were your parents in the Korean War? What do you remember about it? Could radio silence succeed in 2007?

Question

Would Americans do as their government asked, as they once did in the 1940's? What happened to old fashioned pride & patriotism? Afterall, the USA is currently in a WAR & we have many enemies...everywhere! Do you think Americans would listen to their government leaders, without question, as they did in their past generations?

Radio Silence was a mandatory program where all transmissions were censored & scrutinized by Government Agencies BEFORE they were allowed to be broadcast over any PUBLIC radio stations & all mailings TO & FROM the USA were screened before they were allowed to leave the country or be recieved by a person who was already in America.
The KOREAN WAR did start in the 40's. The Merchant Marines went in first BEFORE the actual troops did to take prisoners & secure the area for the incoming soldiers.

Answer 1

My father was a merchant seaman in both World Wars and Korea. He received five awards of the U.S. Merchant Marine Medal. The last time it was pinned on him by President Eisenhower for his service in the Korean conflict. As for patriotism, his real reward was to be denied U.S. citizenship until after the disgracing and death of Senator Joseph McCarthy. You see, my dad was a life-long socialist. So much for his adopted land acknowledging his old-fashioned pride and patriotism.
He was just another victim of the "Red Scare".
As for me, I would prefer that the latest members of the "Petey Patriot Platoon" explain to me where their flags were on September 10, 2001 and why the very troops they worry about now were the very ones they wouldn't have given the time of day to on September 10, 2001. A lot of anguish and angst about the 3,000-plus dead in this war on all fronts. Yet, I can't remember any such angst when 7,500 died between 1993 and 2001. Or for the 9,555 who died between 1980 and 1984. Sorry, but I'll take the cynicism about our actions in this war over the tub-thumping of the Petey Patriot Platoon. At least the cynics aren't hypocrites!

Answer 2

My father was, and so was my father in law.

The differences between then and now;
Then;
1) We were fighting an enemy with an established army, and a government to negotiate with. We would know if and when we had won.
2) There was a clear reason for the war. North Korea invaded South Korea. We were obligated by treaty to help defend SK.
3) The government called on it's citizens to make sacrifices. Those citizens were used to making those sacrifices from making them during WWII, 10 years earlier.

Now;
1) We have no clear idea of who we're fighting, or how we'll even know if we win. It's not a war, it's a protracted police action. There are no clear goals, and there is no one to negotiate terms with or accept a surrender from.
2) Every reason that our government has given us for the war has been shown to be a lie. There are no WMD's, there was no link to al-Quaeda before the war, there was no support of terrorism. After Vietnam, and especially now, why in the world would anyone follow our government's leaders without question?
3) What sacrifices have we been asked to make, other than to send our sons and daughters, husbands, wives, brothers and sisters off to a slow meat grinder?

Answer 3

My Dad was in the 2nd World War.
The only time Americans do what they are asked is when the leaders of the country make sense. You don't follow anyone blindly just because they are a leader. Yes, we are in a war now but one that could have been handled differently and by a President who lies. In fact we should not have gone to war but just removed Hussein out of Iraq. We are not liked and have enemies because of the way our present leader goes about the things he does, not to mention the speeches he makes. I still have Pride and Patriotism, just no respect for the President or Vice President.

Answer 4

My father was in in Europe during WW2. I had twin uncles who were in Korea. One was MIA in December of 50, the other was KIA 2 weeks later.
Back then, no one DARED talk about where our ships or troops are. Now, here in s.e. Va, you can TRACK where the ships are. You hear almost within hours of what's going on and where. I had to locate one of our subs one day. The base phone system used to give out what ships were in port but for some reason, this one sub was not listed. Not any more, and this was PRE- 9/11....back in 1991. SubLant said they were not allowed to give out the info. I called the base where it was home ported and asked for the Ombudsman. She told me where the sub was so I could get some material to it (here). So much for OPSEC.
I remember a story back in the mid'60's when a destroyer came back from a cruise. Only ONE wife was on the pier, and her husband got in trouble because their return date/time was classified. Now, families and friends meet the ships coming back off cruises! Even the news casters give any up dates on the time if it changes.

Answer 5

I really have to think about your questions....the first thing that pops into my head is that the Korean War is not exactly over. I mailed some guitar strings to an Airman stationed near the DMZ in Korea less than a year ago.

I don't think we listened to our leaders without question even during WWII, and I know that prior to Pearl Harbor few if any in the US supported joining that one (based on old newspaper editorial and old family letters). And it wasn't just Vietnam that provoked 'questioning'.....it was abuses during the "cold war" and President Nixon's escapades that contributed to our 'questioning'. To be honest, if you go back to the early days of our Republic, you will see plenty of harsh questioning and protests. It's a part of this nation's fabric to question what our govenment does.

Answer 6

my bio father was in WWII and I was born when he was in Korea in 1950. I live in a very, very Patriotic State. We formerly had many military bases here, we currently still have the Air Force base about 2 miles from my house. We have many retired military personnel here. We take pride in our soldiers and support them. The American Red Cross chapter that I am affiliated with has the AFES program, which means Armed Forces Emergency Service, we can get messages to the military personnel from their families and vice versa, we also help them get home in case of an emergency.
My cousins son has been in Afganistan and Iraq with the military, he is also Air Force police

Answer 7

You mean the 50s, the Korean War took place in the 50s and no my parents nor grandparents were in the Korean war (however my great uncle was in the Vietnam War) and if the government tries to do what they did back then, now, we'd (North America) would probably have a "2nd 60s".

Answer 8

2 things stuck out in your question....1 is would someone like my dad or grandpa do what the government asked without question. Yes...my Dad would have. 2......would I listen now? He double L no.

I remember arguing with my dad......seriously....if the government said it....it was true in his mind. This country was founded by God and our government would NEVER lie to us. I cannot express the look in my fathers eyes when he found out he HAD indeed been LIED to by his government. Kind of like that look a parent gets of just sheer dissappointment that words can't describe when their kid has betrayed them. It's not hate, not anger, not a word is said...nothing is done......it is crushing. It's a look you never forget...one words can never explain. It really crushed him. Nothin like being played for a fool....

No there wouldn't be radio silence.....but there are tons of other ways to silence people. Law or whatever.......seriously....in todays world....it's probably easier than ever to silence people.

We all do the best we can do given the information we have at any given time. People lie....some people have an agenda....some people are telling the truth.....it's your job to figure it out. Only someone who has been lied to knows the signs of a lier. A thief knows the secrets of a thief and knows what they
are.

Answer 9

Yes, my Dad served as infantry officer from 1950-1952 and no it is less Americans as a whole who would not honor radio silence but rather the vast media communications we have developed since the 'good ole days'...instant info, instant pics...hardly a way to stop it now

Answer 10

No. I had two Uncles that fought in Korea. I was just a kid. Because of sacrifices made by our parents in WW II, the liberal left can act like they are now. The veterans gave us freedom, we stayed a Democracy and we don't speak German or Japanese because we have to. Thankfully. I'll probably be reported and receive a violation for this, it's true.