A couple of years ago, I bought for 50p a copy of the book, This Kind of War by T R Fehrenbach. To my surprise, inside was a handwritten inscription to Bill from Lou C Menetrey. Being nosey, I decided to find out more about Menetrey and thus reveal the identity of the mysterious Bill. Was he a senior officer, administrator? Anyway, here is the inscription: Undated letter to Bill inside a copy of the book, This Kind of War, by T H FehrenBach. Bill Your heroism and personal sacrifices have permitted South Koreans to enjoy the freedom and security that they enjoy today and assured that the US maintains its military presence in the strategically critical region of the world. I thought you might enjoy reading this account of that very important war. Best regards Lou Menetrey Commander in Chief US FORCES KOREA He has a distinguished service record and is buried in your Arlington cemetery. Married twice and numerous offspring. I have tried to access US Army records, and his widow, Jane, who lives in Florida. No luck so far. Of course, I may have embarked on a mission impossible as all the characters are now dead. Thought you may have some ideas? RIP General Louis C Menterey.
Hi Mike, @Mike Dobra, that's quite interesting. I did look up the General to see what period he served in Korea and I checked the book. I thought I had read everything written on Korea War and maybe I have. This is a later book, however I have had a lasting interest in Korea since Korean was my war. And since that time I have corresponded with a Korean professor and a graduate student both with an interest in the Korean War since none of their students or associates knew nothing of it. I'm going to check out the book. Thanks for sharing this interesting information.
Hello Bill - thanks for your interesting reply. Wife Jane wrote his biography called, "The Caring Warrior" but not sure if it is still in print. Never been to the USA, but believe that Jane lives (or lived) in a special settlement on the southern coast of FL, but my American geography is sparse you understand. There is more info at Fort Jackson on their Wall of Fame and the Arlington website. Having been in the British Army, US Army ranks are a bit of a mystery to me, but can I assume a general in one notch below Field Marshall ????
http://pbase.com/d_berry/image/113345318 Don't know if this will lead you anywhere or not @Mike Dobra but at the end of this article on Menetrey there are comments by people who knew him, etc. One comment is by a "Bill" Wilkinson and his wife who say he was a good friend and graced their table for Christmas many times. Maybe this is your mysterious Bill and that book was a Christmas gift to Bill from Lou.
Most senior figures seem to have a family atchive of sorts, so my ultimate goal was to send the book with letter to whereever that is. Checked Bill and Karen Wilkinson and it may be they are too young and are commercial estate agents? Bill still mystifies!
There was also a William "Bill" Bowles I kept coming across who was in the Service it seems during the same times as Menetrey...yet just skimming the surface I could not find anything that linked these two together. You might have better luck on this @Mike Dobra.