Tributes to Veterans

waltky · Mar 7, 2013

From the Korean War...

Former airman to be reunited with 'burned girl' he helped 60 years ago
March 6, 2013 - For almost 60 years, Richard Cadwallader wondered what happened to the brave little girl he watched endure agonizing treatment for severe burns without making a sound.

The Air Force veteran had taken a special interest in her after she arrived at his base in the wake of the Korean War, and at one point led a Hollywood-worthy effort to get her on a U.S. military helicopter so she could get the advanced medical treatment she needed. He caught a brief smile from her during a chance meeting months later as he was preparing to leave the war-ravaged country, but it left him hungry for how her story turned out. His daughter made an unsuccessful effort to find the adult that his burned girl had become. So Cadwallader recently enlisted the help of the South Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and others in his quest to find her.

Kim Yeon-soon, now 72, finally was located. A reunion is in the works for late this month, something that Cadwallader, 81, says he never dreamed would happen. Kim said she also considers it something of a miracle that she will be able to see the man she has always referred to, in talking with friends and family, as her American father. How could this amazing thing happen? she said. Its the grace of God. I feel on top of the world these days, so I cant even sleep at night.

The MPVA, hoping this is not the last reunion of its kind, recently started a campaign to bring together other Korean War veterans from countries that were allied with South Korea and locals from that era with whom they would like to reconnect. We hope the image of South Korea is going to be enhanced through reunions like this between overseas veterans and their Korean friends and acquaintances, an MPVA spokeswoman said. Kim said she was 12 in December 1953 when a 3-year-old relative accidentally knocked over an oil lamp, setting her on fire. She was left with third-degree burns from her chin to her waist. It was so painful, she said, her voice shuddering even six decades later.

With options for proper medical treatment limited in post-war South Korea, Kim said her mother put the girl on her back and carried her about five miles to the nearest U.S. military installation, a remote base on the edge of the Yellow Sea, west of Suwon. Save my daughter! Kim remembers her mother yelling at the bases entrance. In an account written by Susan Kee - who helped Cadwallader in his quest and is working on a book of the personal stories of U.S. Korean War veterans - She was covered in what appeared to be (a) black tar-like substance that a village person had applied to treat the burn, but it had adhered to her flesh.

The base medic carefully peeled off the substance strip by strip. The process was slow and agonizingly painful, according to the account. She endured extreme pain in silence and without any tears, said Cadwallader, of Scottsdale, Ariz. I have never seen such courage in a little girl. Her mother was also unforgettable because of her love, courage and perseverance in trying to get medical help for her daughter. Cadwallader an airman 2nd class and radio mechanic at the base helped as much as he could when Kims mother brought the girl back to the base once a week for more than a month for follow-up visits, but it was clear to everyone she needed more extensive treatment to cure the infected area and minimize the scarring and facial disfigurement. One day, I saw an opportunity to get her the real medical help she needed, Cadwallader said.

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mswan · Jul 4, 2022

A great big THANK YOU to all veterans.

Jolly Penguin · Nov 26, 2022

That's a beautiful news story.

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Tributes to Veterans

waltky Well-Known Member

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