Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

“My dear mother and father”

On air: the story of Captain Jimmy, who was in a war as an American pilot and went missing while executing his mission

“My dear mother and father, please don’t try to find me if I ever go missing. Don’t sacrifice my fellow soldiers because of me. Please pray for them, not for me.”

It is part of the letter Captain Jimmy Van Fleet Jr., an American Air Force pilot, the son of General Van Fleet, wrote to his mother before he engaged in the Korean war.

Soldiers of the 23rd Division have created lyrics based on this letter and made a music video featuring a Daegeum(Korean flute) performance and rap.

The music video, “Jimmy’s Letter”, which describes his pride for his soldier father, longing for his mother and loving comradeship, will be used for security education for military personnel.

Captain Jimmy, First Lieutenant at that time, engaged in the Korean War as a bomber (B-26) pilot in March 1952. There was no need to participate in the war since he had already completed his overseas dispatch duties in the Greek Civil War, yet he volunteered, following his father, General Van Fleet, who was in the war as the U.S. 8th Army commander. The unit posted this video on YouTube and Facebook as well so that everyone can watch it.

By Ah-Mi, Cho < joajoa@dema.mil.kr >
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