Stars and Stripes, Jan. 29, 1955
SEOUL (INS)-The master sergeant loved the kid
so much he came back to Korea three times to get him. Friday the
California soldier and his bright eyed adopted son, with red tape
and worries behind them, are on their way to Santa Cruz, Cal., aboard
the troopship General Mitchell. M/Sgt. John F. Cassidy first met
Chun Sik in the early days of the war while serving with the 3rd
Inf. Div. It was "love at first sight." Cassidy and the shabby
little orphan spent much of their time together. When his hitch
was up, Cassidy put Chun Sik into an orphanage in Seoul where he
would be properly cared for.
2nd Tour in 1953
Cassidy was sent to Korea for a second tour of
duty in January, 1953. One of the first things he did was to take
Chun Sik out of the orphanage.
While serving with the 8050 Army Unit at Bupyong,
the sergeant and the Korean tot renewed their acquaintance. Near
the end of his second tour Cassidy started adoption procedures to
take Chun Sik home with him.
Time Runs Out
But, time ran out and Cassidy was forced to leave
Korea again without Chun Sik. He vowed to come back and claim his
"son."
When word finally reached Cassidy that the adoption
paperwork had been completed he asked and received time off from
the Army to make a third trip to the war torn land. With a 60 day
leave tucked into his pocket Cassidy again embarked for Korea.
This time his dream came true.
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