Stars and Stripes, 12 Aug. 52

M/Sgt. Frank McDonnel, Gloucester City, N.J., 1^st Sgt. of 607^th Aircraft Control and Warning company, who takes care of a Korean orphan, "Skoshi", whose father and mother were killed in the Korean War.  Skoshi has just been awarded his Brigadier General Stars. 

US Army Photo by Cpl. R.O. Park

 

General's Stars Pinned On 'Skoshi,' Korean Tot

 

WITH I CORPS-A group of Korean laborers trudged up a hill to work on a construction project last January in Korea.  A tiny ill clad five year old boy wandered along behind them.  He didn't belong to anyone, the men said.  His father and mother had been killed in the war. 

M/Sgt. Frank McDonnell, Gloucester City, N.J., first sergeant of an aircraft control and warning company in the I Corps area, took the boy to the company.  A bath, food, warm clothing and a bed made from scrap lumber completed his home.  Speaking no English and nameless, he became "Skoshi." 

"HE LEARNED very quickly," boasted McDonnell.  "Now, after seven months, he speaks English fluently."  In fact everybody of the company boasts about Skoshi, from Lt. Col. John Kersch, Tacoma, Wash., who commands the installation, to the privates who have taught him to play baseball. 

"He is a good boy," said McDonnell.  "Of course, when he gets out of line, I spank him." 

From the States came clothing, genuine levis and real cowboy boots.  A medal was pinned on hischest and a pair of colonel's eagles on his collar. 

A MEMBER of the I Corps staff visited Skoshi's unit one evening.  The bright child was his usual entertaining self.  From the I Corps staff came a promotion for Skoshi: a set of brigadier general strs and a West Point shoulder patch.  Sgt. William Oleskey, Nanticke, Palk of the same company, assists in caring for the Korean lad.  Oleskey and his mother plan to adopt Skoshi.

SSS-261