Some People Can't Stand a Good Thing Joe Doaks the house boy mentioned by Carl was in the beginning very helpful, cleaning our mess kits, making our beds, and doing all kinds of chores for everybody. With time Joe Doaks became spoiled, especially after he strutted about in this cowboy outfit with two six shooters. He stopped doing chores for everybody except SFC Bowes and Embry. Once the washed-out roads were repaired and supplies started to roll once again, we received, in addition to food, a bounty of candy and cigarettes. As we walked into the tent laden with the goodies, SFC Bowes set up a collection station near his cot, asking us to kick in some candy for the boy. Carl and I reluctantly decided not to be too generous, since the boy did nothing for us. As I passed the collection station I licked in with a roll of Lifesavers. "Cmon" said Bowes," lets have some of that good chocolate candy. "I can not do that sarge", said I. "Why not?" Because the good chocolate candy is for me. As it is, I am being generous by giving him what I did, which is more than what he is doing for us. And whose side are you on anyway? After all, your first obligation is to your team members and not to a strange kid who is nice to you but does nothing for us.

Sad Ending A few months later Joe Doaks started to get snotty even with SFC Bowes, who then turned around and kicked him out. Shortly before we were rotated back to The States, I ran across Joe Doaks in Seoul, back on the streets he came from, shivering with cold and in need of a good meal. This time I felt sorry for him, bought him some food from a Korean vendor, and gave a few thousand Won, enough for a few more meals.