Title: B. A. R. Man
Subtitle: Browning Automatic Rifle Man
Description: Review written by Bernie Weisz, Historian, Pembroke Pines, Florida, USA August 30, 2013  Contact: Bernwei1@aol.com Title of Review: "The Big Letdown; Enduring Subhuman Conditions in a N. Korean P.O.W. Camp & Forsaken by One's Countrymen Upon Repatriation!"
So much is American involvement in the Korean War of 1950-1953 a nationwide repressed memory that one who reads this review's title might question the veracity of whether the U.S. was actually involved in this war. However, it is fitting that Vietnam Veteran and author Clyde Hoch would write this book, as he was also involved in another conflict America has done its utmost to erase the memory of. "B.A.R. Man" is the true story of William "Bill" Gilbert's ordeal as a patriotic infantryman who volunteered to fight in the Korean War, was seriously wounded and subsequently captured by the Communist Chinese. Gilbert was forced to march 200 miles in appalling conditions to a torturous P.O.W. Camp, where he lived for two and a half years. While this memoir is quite enlightening as to how this war was fought and what Gilbert witnessed in both combat and as a prisoner of war, the thrust of this book is the insulting and derisive treatment undeservedly meted out to him upon his return.

Nevertheless, "B.A.R. Man" is full of extraordinary coincidences. Clyde Hoch spent time with Gilbert discovering his ordeal only after a chance meeting on a Pennsylvania highway. Hoch was trying to pass Gilbert in his pickup truck driving 35 M.P.H. in a 50 M.P.H. zone. Bill Gilbert was a loner and a few months later he would remember this chance encounter with Hoch when the two of them sat down to create this masterpiece of forgotten history. Chances are very slim that Gilbert would have opened up to Hoch if the two of them did not share the mutual feeling of being scorned by the very country they eagerly volunteered to fight and risk their lives for. In 2010, Mr. Hoch published his first literary offering: "Tracks: Memoirs of a Vietnam Veteran." In this memoir, Hoch details his ordeal as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps in charge of five tank crews locked in lethal combat in the worst years of the Vietnam War, 1968-1969. After seeing fellow Marines severely wounded or killed as well as slain young children held by their hysterical mothers, it was a shock that held no depths when Hoch was told by others upon return that; "You guys lost the war." Refused admittance to the V.F.W. because Vietnam was "not a real war" as compared to W.W.II as well as constantly hearing Vietnam Vets being likened to "homicidal murderers, baby killers, drug addicts and alcoholics," Hoch shut down.

Explaining in "Tracks," Hoch wrote; " I did not write this earlier in my life because no one wanted to hear about Vietnam. The American public and media were looking for reasons to hate Vietnam Vets. Trust me, the feeling is mutual. I lost contact with everyone I was in Vietnam with for about thirty years. Nobody wanted to associate with us, so we just did not talk about it." As readers will discover, Bill Gilbert had a similar experience , although his suffering was exacerbated by the fact that after undergoing his ordeal of communist incarceration, he was neither welcomed home nor was his sacrifice acknowledged. There are theories as to why the Korean War is deemed the "Forgotten War." Perhaps because of how close America came to being involved with W.W. III, with China sending 1,350,000 troops and the Soviet Union providing an additional 26,000 soldiers to bolster the North Koreans. The story of General Douglas McArthur having to be wheeled in and ultimately sacked by then President Harry Truman to avert a full scale conflagration is well known. However, the most likely factor for an American induced amnesia is the same reason Hoch stated in his first book in regard to the America's conduct in Vietnam; "There were so many things that the U.S. could have done if they really wanted to win. We would take a position at the cost of many lives, pull out a week later, than a month later retake the same old position. Maybe there was a strategy behind it, but I never really understood it. In my mind, our politicians and the American public lost that war."

Another important factor this conflict was christened the "Forgotten War" is the toll our country suffered. In the introduction Clyde Hoch states; "This book is dedicated to the men who made tremendous sacrifices in the Forgotten War. It is my hope that in some way I can honor you as the people of our country should have." What kind of losses were suffered? Just compare the Korean and Vietnam War and the figures are staggering. From 1964 to 1973, over 58,000 Americans were killed, 153,000 were wounded and almost 2,500 troops are still missing in Vietnam. Yet in three short years the Korean War killed over 36,000 of our finest, wounded over 103,000 and believe it or not, 8,000 troops are still missing today. With losses as great and painful as this, lack of public attention might be comprehended. Bill Gilbert also elucidates as to why such a high number of missing exist. He asserts to Hoch that both Americans and North Koreans killed P.O.W's even after surrendering. As far as the Communists were concerned, all wounded P.O.W's who couldn't walk to prison camps after capture were executed. They had little in the way of transport and moved prisoners by forced marches at night. All stragglers as well as those attempting to escape were shot. Gilbert has other reasons he offers as to why so many troops are missing. In Tracks, Clyde had some very close calls in Vietnam with the Grim Reaper. He concludes in "B.A.R. Man" that; "I was spared in Vietnam because God had a purpose for me, perhaps to tell this story." This incredible memoir of the Korean War will give some vindication to both of these warrior's plights and is an informative read of events that should never, ever be forgotten!