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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 their generosity in sharing this history . . . 

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

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

CLICK HERE to visit Sgt. Emanuele's Website

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.

ATTENTION FORMER SERVICEMEN! If you were a serviceman during the war and have a story relating to Debbie that you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you!   Please use the feedback form to tell us, and have your account placed on this page, with your permission.