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November 23, 1953

 

Veteran Greets Adopted Korea Orphan in U.S.

By Kenneth Anderson

 

OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 23 (INS)-An overjoyed 5 year old Korean boy, nicknamed Jimmy, was reunited today with his wartime buddy, an ex-soldier from Huron, S.D. who has adopted him in an unprecedented legal action. 

Paul Raynor, a former Army sergeant, sprinted the full length of a train in Omaha's Union Station to swing the child into his arms.  Jimmy had arrived from Oakland, Cal. on a trip which began in Seoul-where, as Choi Kyung Hyun, he never knew a home.

 

The 24 year old Raynor, who is giving Jimmy a home, exclaimed: "Boy, he sure looks good." 

Army Sgt. Werner Krenzer, returning to his home in Rego Park, N.Y. on rotation, has cared for Jimmy on the train trip.  He said the Korean was intrigued by coin-operated vending machines.  The New Yorker, whom Jimmy called "Smiley," added the boy was an avid reader and swapper of comic books.

Chasing Bus

Jimmy was one of untold bands of Korean children-refugees at an age when they should be in kindergarten-when Sgt. Raynor spied him chasing after a troop bus.  Raynor located the waif's mother through the Korean Salvation Army.  Jimmy, he learned, was born of a tragic romance between the mother and a soldier who later departed.  The mother, after a 25 minute conversation, agreed to surrender her rights to the child.

 

When Raynor-a bachelor-was discharged, he secured papers for the unique adoption.  South Dakota Atty. Gen. Ralph A. Dunham said he "took the position that no state law prohibits the adoption" and if Korean law was satisfied, so was he. 

Raynor plans to enter South Dakota State College at Brookings, S.D. while his mother at Huron cares for Jimmy.  Raynor said: "I have no immediate plans for marriage."

 

SSA-775

 


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