Stars and Stripes, Sept. 20, 1955
HQ. U.S. 7th DIV. Korea - A Korean
youngster, who just two years ago was a starving, ragged orphan,
now is in the U.S. with a new family and the honorary rank of
Captain. He is Pak Jeng Gon, 8, the adopted son of Sp3 and Mrs.
Kenneth Patrick of Marion, N.C.
Pak was found in May, 1953 by members of H
Co., 31st Inf., a homeless six year old whose parents
had been killed in the war. The youngster was immediately "adopted"
by the unit.
Given the honorary rank of second lieutenant,
Pak stayed with H Co. for two years until Patrick started legal
adoption proceedings and plans to send him back to Marion. He
was later made an honorary captain.
With the contributions of E Co., Hqs. Co.,
Second Bn. And H Co., young Pak was able to start his trip "home"
by commercial air liner - alone. Now that he's back in the U.S.
his schedule calls for enrolment in the fall term for school and
getting used to the American way of life.
SSS-078
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