SEOUL, Mar. 29 (Pac. S&S)—A pint sized
7 year old Korean boy, found freezing to death in a Seoul gutter two
months ago, is now the snappy mascot of the 55th Military Police Company
and known 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 outgrown 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.
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