Table Of Content“We Fight for Peace”
“We Fight for Peace”
Twenty-three American Soldiers,
Prisoners of War, and
“Turncoats” in the Korean War
B D. M K
RIAN C NIGHT
The Kent State University Press
Kent, Ohio
Dedicated to Lorenzo “Ren” Crowell,
1943–2014
© 2014 by The Kent State University Press, Kent, Ohio 44242
All rights reserved Library of Congress Catalog Number 2013043350
ISBN 978-1-60635-207-6
Manufactured in the United States of America With regard to the images in the collection of CEGES-
SOMA, the author has, in spite of all actions taken, not been able to trace the origin of some of the images.
Should the rightful claimants recognize themselves in these photographs they should contact the Kent State
University Press, 1118 University Library, Kent, Ohio 44242.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data McKnight, Brian Dallas.
We fight for peace : twenty-three American soldiers, prisoners of war, and “turncoats” in the Korean War /
Brian D. McKnight.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-60635-207-6 (hardcover) ∞
1. Korean War, 1950–1953—Repatriation. 2. Korean War, 1950–1953—Prisoners and prisons. 3. Defectors
—United States—Biography. 4. Defectors—China—Biography. 5. Prisoners of war—United States—
Biography. 6. Prisoners of war—China—Biography. 7. Soldiers—United States—Biography. 8. Korean
War, 1950–1953—Biography. 9. Americans—China—Biography. I. Title. II. Title: Twenty-three American
soldiers, prisoners of war, and “turncoats” in the Korean War.
DS921.2.M35 2014
951.904'27—dc23
2013043350
18 17 16 15 14 5 4 3 2 1
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 Beginnings and Backgrounds
2 The Short Careers of Soldiers
3 Captivity and Compromise
4 Winning Captive Hearts
5 Politicians and Their Careers
6 The Shocking Refusal: July 27–October 20, 1953
7 The Returns … Ed Dickenson—October 20–December 31, 1953
8 Dickenson’s Reckoning
9 Batchelor’s Reckoning
10 Men Jailed … and Walking Free, 1954–1957
11 Outcasts in Life and Death since 1958
12 Lessons, Learned and Ignored
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
When I was an undergraduate, I lived a substantial distance from school. As a
result, I spent much time on campus between classes. One of the things I did to
pass the time was to go to the library and read old newspapers on microfilm. I
found the stories fascinating, especially those that seemed so relevant
contemporarily but had been lost to history as the world changed. During one of
these reading sessions, I found the story of Ed Dickenson, and from there I
uncovered the stories of the rest of those American soldiers who refused
repatriation at the end of the Korean Conflict.
As an historian whose primary area of research is the American Civil War,
embarking on such a challenging journey as examining one of the most
controversial and contentious eras of the twentieth century is a fearful prospect.
Since discovering the topic and identifying its importance years ago, I have
struggled with issues from laying out the story to writing a mass biography and
addressing the finer intellectual nuances of the tale, while developing my own
personal seminar in modern Chinese history in an attempt to better understand
the era. In order to answer these and other questions, I have burdened some very
good people along the way. Because they are all friends, I know my weak
attempt at thanking them will be greatly appreciated.
My friend Bill Carter was perhaps my greatest advocate. He guided me
through my first two books, helping me produce works that I think he would
have been proud of; I began work on this one within a week of his death. It is the
first book I have written without his wise counsel and it means a great deal to me
as a result. As an old underdog himself, Bill always loved the topic and chastised
me for putting it off. While his critiques often left me puzzled, I can now fully
see his influence on my intellectual development.
Another old friend of mine and Bill’s, Fred Smith, contributed mightily to
the story that follows. I initially asked Fred to co-author this with me, but
doctoral studies prevented his participation. However, he remained my great
friend throughout the process and helped shape the narrative stylistically and
analytically. Additionally, Fred spent considerable time poring over newspapers
in the library at the University of Southern Mississippi and in Hartford,
Connecticut, looking for information that would eventually help me tell this
story.
Although old friends have cast long shadows over this book, new friends
have also had an influence. Randy Mills of Oakland City University initially
undertook a study of Arlie Pate, but his other projects interrupted. When
approached for basic information about the group, Randy eagerly provided
copies and encouragement. Throughout the process, he has remained interested
in the progress of the project and has freely given his support and suggestions.
Sheila Miyoshi Jager of Oberlin College provided me easy access to her copies
of the court martial records of Edward Dickenson and Claude Batchelor. Ed
Dickenson’s granddaughter, Jennifer Dickenson, was interested in the story from
its earliest days and I enjoyed meeting and corresponding with her throughout
the project. Lewis Carlson, who has published much on the soldiers’ experiences
during the Korean War, kindly sent me an unpublished copy of Clarence Adams’
memoir months before it was scheduled to appear in print. His gesture allowed
me to finish parts of the manuscript well ahead of my own expectations. Jodi
Foor and Rich Boylan at National Archives II, College Park, Maryland, provided
important guidance and research assistance. Paul Edwards and Gregg Edwards
of Graceland University’s Center for the Study of the Korean War, were very
gracious hosts during my brief research visit to Independence, Missouri. My
friend and noted scholar of African American religion, Edward Robinson of
Abilene Christian University, spent several hours with newspapers searching out
elusive answers. Rachel Lewis, formerly of the University of Akron, similarly
agreed to help my project by gathering some local newspaper information on
two of the nonrepatriates that was otherwise unavailable to me. Ren Crowell,
one of my former professors, has exhibited a steadfast interest in the project and
has helped place it within the context of modern military history studies. Ron
Suleski, of Harvard University’s Fairbank Center, offered information about
Morris Wills and put me in contact with Ezra Vogel, who supervised Wills
during his time on the center’s staff. Sidney Rittenberg, who spent most of his
life in Mao’s China, answered several important questions and gave valuable
insights into the motives of many of the men. Finally, physicians and friends
Allen Mullins and Melanie Skeen provided answers to medical and nutritional
questions.
Partway through the construction of this story, I relocated from the
University of Virginia’s College at Wise, near the hometown of Ed Dickenson, to
Angelo State University, in Texas, near the hometown of Claude Batchelor. At
Angelo State, the late Guogiang “Joe” Zheng, an accomplished scholar of
modern China, answered countless questions about the intricacies of Chinese
history and culture thereby broadening my historical and philosophical
interpretations. Arnoldo DeLeon, a leading scholar in Tejano history and an
excellent editor, must be thanked for his assistance with several chapters. Robert
Stiles served as the department’s graduate assistant for the 2006–2007 academic
year and helped identify and list the more than 3,300 repatriated American
prisoners. Perhaps the most important research assistant on the campus of any
regional university is the interlibrary loan librarian. At Angelo State, Sharon
Weber works tirelessly to provide people like me with those things necessary for
us to produce scholarly work.
My parents probably wonder why their son would choose to devote years of
his life to studying this group of men, but they have always been supportive of
my endeavors and appreciate the work I do. Similarly, my wife has aided in my
development and continues to make the sacrifices that allow me to pursue my
many projects. Although she has no real interest in history, Pam does understand
my love for the subject and has put her fingerprints on each piece of scholarship
I have produced, including coming up with the title of this book. Although I am
not sure how she has contributed to this project, I must also thank my daughter,
Devin. She has made me see the world in a new light, and has made me a better
person along the way.
I always thank my students for their contributions to my work. They are
young, curious, motivated, and impressed by those of us who stand before them
on a daily basis. Of them, a handful stands out as being truly exceptional
intellectually, academically, and personally. UVa-Wise students Kaylen Baker,
Julie Yates, Murphy Mullins, Eric Vanover, and Matt Wright have provided me
with much support and encouragement through their intellectual curiosity and
attentiveness. At Angelo State, I also found an exceptional lot. They include
Zach Dowdle, John Graham, Melissa Harderlie, Sterling Brown, Jesse Burnham,
Charles Bowen, and Jennifer Dickens.
Finally, to the families and friends of my twenty-three subjects, most of
whom are now deceased, I say with great seriousness: Do not dismiss them or be
ashamed of their actions. Although they took what seems an illogical step more
than fifty years ago, they did so as a result of extreme circumstances in an
environment where a single compromise could easily result in a man being
forced down an irreversible path.
Brian D. McKnight
