Pacific Stars & Stripes, March
29, 1953
By Cpl. Bob Starr
SEOUL, Mar. 29 (Pac. S&S)-
A pint-sized boy, found freezing to death in a Seoul gutter two months
ago, is now the snappy mascot of the 55th Military Police Company
and know as M/Sgt. Yo-Yo.
A patrol vehicle found Yo-Yo lying in a gutter
during the bitter winter and brought him to their quarters to clean
him up and later deliver him to one of the orphanages.
Yo-Yo was a different person then; he was half-starved,
clothes dirty and insufficient for the winter winds, and in need of
a hot bath and haircut.
After giving him a haircut and bath, the men started
looking around for clothing to fit the waif. He was too small, so
a couple of them borrowed the facilities of a tailor shop and, from
some salvaged material, made him some fatigues.
Since that time he has out-grown those, had others
made, and has received civilian clothes and toys from the States.
Yo-Yo may be small, but he still acts just like
any other member of the company. He has a bed, footlocker, and clothing
rack and stands inspections with the other members of his unit.
Once a month the company NCO club holds a dance
with all proceeds going towards Yo-Yo's educational fund. At the present
the fund for his education is up to about $400.
Capt. Philip P. Fowler, company commander, says
he is expected to conduct himself like anyone else and gets his spankings,
too.
When anyone sends for him he has adopted the style
of saluting and reporting.
Wearing his fatigues, patch, first sergeant stripes,
and Korean campaign ribbons, he spends most of the day playing in
the compound, but when chow time rolls around he is always at the
first three grader's table putting away his share.
PSS-171
