War Stories: Debbie & The Troops

Troop Tales: An Introduction

Here follows a collection of fascinating personal accounts provided by veterans of the Korean conflict who, in one way or another, were touched by America’s Sweetheart during her years of service for the U.S. Armed Forces.

In some instances, the children of those men who served were able to furnish their stories on behalf of the fathers who could not.

Debbie Reynolds Online is proud to present their memories here and offers many thanks for not only their generosity in sharing this history, but for their heroic service to the United States of America.

 

“No person, anywhere on this earth loves Debbie Reynolds more than a S/SGT, USAF.

She literally and figuratively saved my life when I went down in the China Sea on March 27, 1952.

I had the opportunity to talk with Debbie, for maybe thirty seconds, just prior to deployment to Korea. She remained with me throughout that agonizing experience. Her small photograph was floating in front of me in that very cold water. And she (figuratively) endured the sub-zero sea “with” me.

I truly believe that I survived freezing until rescue only because of the hope which she so generously lavished upon me in just thirty seconds. During that very brief pre-deployment USO visit in California, Debbie actually paid attention to my thoughts with great generosity and happiness – her term.

My most personal joy would be to meet her one more time, however briefly, before neither of us remain on this planet.

In view of all these muddling thoughts, I had best sign off before the really mushy talk begins. But I appreciate the opportunity to offer sentiments held for 60-plus years.”

Robert E. Keenan, MD
Professor of Medicine, USUHS

 

“1952, Korea, XCORP Headquarters, 5th Light Air Section. Yourself, Pat King and Walter Pidgeon were in our company talking while the aircraft that was to fly you guys to a forward group to entertain was being repaired. We spoke and took photos; I have some of you ladies and one of yourself, Pat King and me, a bit crumpled. Looking back I did not realize that you were around my age, I was born August 6, 1931. I always think back realizing the heroes you all were to take time out of your lives to entertain the troops and you guys did speak to us like we were your friends for life.

Maybe three years ago, I saw you at the Mohegan Sun Casino – you were wonderful. But I was too shy to send a note to let you know we met when we were really kids and I never forgot you. I was so proud that you were in my company in Korea. Got back OK, 78 now but will never forget the experience of you being in my life even though it was a short time in time, but not in my memory. 

Thank you, Debbie Reynolds, for being you. May God bless you.

Long lost forever, a friend in my heart.”

Muzio Pellegrini

 

“In 1953 and part of 1954, I was fortunate enough to be a photographer for the 4th Signal Battalion, X Corps when Miss Reynolds and her accompanying USO troupe visited and entertained the troops.

I took the famous picture of her performing onstage at a microphone and still have the photograph to this day [pictured in the upper left corner of this page]. I have a few more photos of her and the group she was with when they toured the area. Carlton Carpenter, Keenan Wynn and Walter Pidgeon are with Debbie in one image. The ladies, I do not know, but remember well. After all, I was a 22 year old away from home. How could I forget the beauty of all the women, especially Debbie. She couldn’t have been much older in fact. It brings back memories for sure.”

Dom Emanuele,
Sergeant 1st Class

 

“While with the 21str Inf. regt, 24th division in Korea I was selected to be Debbie Reynolds’ escort while she was there with Johnny Grant and group.

After her performing, she was provided food in a squad tent. The officers and other wheels were the only personnel allowed inside to eat. I was posted outside the main entrance. Showing the true class she has, it was Debbie herself who came to me with a tray of the food – I’ll never forget her or the buss on the cheek she gave me while she departed in a helicopter on her way to entertain more troops.”

Don Keena

 

“I’m a 77 year old Korean Vet. I recently came across a snapshot I took of Debbie at a USO show somewhere outside of Seoul Korea. The picture evoked memories of a bright spot during my tour of duty, a unique experience in Korea during the ’50s.

I wonder if Debbie recalls the standing ovation she received during an incident in her performance involving the removal of a pair of ermine cuffs. While she looked over a sea of olive green fatigues, she truly became one of us, with the use of a little G.I. language, as she struggled to remove the cuffs. Needless to say the utterance wasn’t AH FOOIE! …Go, Debbie, Go.”

Daryl Schreiner,
Cpl. 728 M.P. Battalion, 1954

 

“I have been researching my father’s experience during the Korean war. My dad, Keith Osbourne, was a helicopter pilot then. He has stated that he had the honor of giving Miss Reynolds her first ride in a helicopter while in Korea. He has a photo of the two of them during the war.

I am attempting to recreate some memories for him and surprise him with some connections with his past. I am hoping that Ms Reynolds might have some recollection of this when she was in Korea. I am assuming that riding in one of those primitive helicopters would surely be a memorable moment that would stay with her. One of her articles shared her thoughts at seeing dead servicemen being hauled into a MASH unit. My father flew many flights during the Chinese invasion.”

Tom Osborne

 

“I just found some photos of Miss Reynolds with my father’s unit in Korea among his snapshots. She is walking among the troops. The backs of the photos all say “Debbie Reynolds North”. Many of his photos say only “North” and I have no idea what that means. I think the photos really show the admiration on the troops’ faces as Debbie walks among them.

Unfortunately, my father passed away without ever speaking a word about his time in Korea. It was in going through his photos (which my mom kept despite his asking her to throw them away) that I discovered the photos of Miss Reynolds.

My father’s name was Ken Husch. He was a clerk-typist, and was honorably discharged on May 25, 1956.”

Sue Husch

 

“Walter Pidgeon was on tour with Debbie, Carlton Carpenter and Jerry Calonna during Christmas of 1952 in Seoul Korea.

Mr. Pidgeon recited a poem or sang a song that brought the house down. Would Debbie remember what that was? I enjoyed the show immensely but never forgot Walter Pidgeon’s performance because I never expected how funny he could be.”

Anthony Petroro

 

“I saw Bob Hope in the USO twice. Once in Germany during 1949 during the Berlin Air Lift. I was in the Air Force. Then I saw him in Casablanca in 1951 in North Africa.

The first time, he had Jerry Colonna and Martha Raye and Les Brown and his Band of Renown. The second time (1951) he had Debbie Reynolds. I fell in love with her. I’m still in love with her, as a matter of fact. I was 18, I fell head over heels in love with her. I was really mad when she married Eddie Fisher.

I was transferred from Germany to France, and then sent to French Morocco. We had a big Air Force base, right outside of Casablanca, in the Atlas Desert, about 50 miles outside of Casablanca. We lived in tents. At that time, the Korean War was on, and Bob Hope came again. Debbie Reynolds came with Carlton Carpenter, a dancing and singing partner in a film with her.

She was only my age. I was about 18 or 17, and I just adored the hell out of her. I just loved her. Silly kid. I stayed in love with her for many, many years, until I got married. It was Jerry Colonna and Martha Raye and Les Brown. And Debbie Reynolds singing “Aba Daba Honeymoon.”

Jack Shea

 

“When I was called to active duty with the 452nd Bomb Wing Reserve in August 1950, we were assigned to George Air Force Base at Victorville, California for intensive training in preparation for movement to support the USAF in bombing Korea from US bases in Japan.

In September 1950, a USO show unit put on a performance for us. The emcee was Cliffie Stone of the ‘Hometown Jamboree’ TV show. His headlner was Tennessee Ernie Ford. Cliffie introduced a new up-and-coming young starlet who sang and if I remember rightly also danced. One of the songs that I recall was ‘Abba Dabba Honeymoon’. The young lady- Debbie Reynolds.

I will always not forgive myself for losing the picture I took of her at the time. I still have the one I took of Tennessee Ernie.”

John Darby,
S/Sgt USAFR

 

“I was in Korea long ago. I helped Debbie off the plane and she gave me a hug and a kiss. I was young and single. I will never forget her. It is people like her that have made our country great.”

John Wade

 

“My father, Raymond C. Adams, was a Marine in the Korean War. He married my mother soon after his return and insisted his first born daughter be named after Debbie Reynolds. That’s me, Debbie Carlene Adams Vineyard. When I learned she entertained the  troops in North Korea, I knew why he wanted a ‘Debbie’. I was born 1957. He died at age 53 in 1980.

The only thing he ever spoke of was surviving several months as a POW. I would like to know more about his experience but respected his  wishes not to talk about it. We have a few photos of him in Korea and I would love to have a picture of Debbie Reynolds while she was in North Korea to go in my memory book. I have always loved her and she won my young heart in her movie Tammy and the Bachelor.

 Thank you, it is a honor to have her as my namesake.”

Debbie Vineyard