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Korea: Traces Of A Forgotten War
The Korean War is often referred to as the “forgotten war.” Here, professor James N. Butcher relives his experiences as an infantryman with Fox Company of the 17th Infantry Regiment, during the final year of the Korean War (1952-1953). In a graphic portrayal of living conditions on the front, Butcher describes combat actions that occurred in two major battles of this period—the Battle for Jane Russell Hill (a part of Triangle Ridge) and the first Battle of Pork Chop Hill—and makes a strong case for why we as Americans need to remember what happened there and why.
- GenresHistoryWarNonfiction
314 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
About the author
James N. Butcher
99 books8 followersJames N Butcher is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Butcher received his graduate training at the University of North Carolina and served on the faculty of the University of Minnesota for over 40 years. He has written more than 50 books and 175 articles on the MMPI®, MMPI®-2, and MMPI-A, including Essentials of MMPI-2 and MMPI-A Interpretation (with Dr Carolyn Williams), published in 2000 by the University of Minnesota Press. He was instrumental in identifying the need for a revision of the MMPI, which resulted in the MMPI Restandardization Project conducted during the 1980s and 1990s.
More recently, Dr. Butcher co-authored two books published by the American Psychological Association: Assessing Hispanic Clients Using the MMPI-2 and MMPI-A (with Jose Cabiya, Emilia Lucio and Maria Garrido, 2007) and the third edition of The MMPI/MMPI-2/MMPI-A in Court (with Ken Pope and Joyce Seelen, 2006). Butcher and 25 colleagues from around the world used the Adolescent Interpretive System of the Minnesota Report to develop International Case Studies on the MMPI-A: An Objective Approach. This casebook illustrates the use of the Minnesota Report with adolescents in 15 countries outside the United States.
More recently, Dr. Butcher co-authored two books published by the American Psychological Association: Assessing Hispanic Clients Using the MMPI-2 and MMPI-A (with Jose Cabiya, Emilia Lucio and Maria Garrido, 2007) and the third edition of The MMPI/MMPI-2/MMPI-A in Court (with Ken Pope and Joyce Seelen, 2006). Butcher and 25 colleagues from around the world used the Adolescent Interpretive System of the Minnesota Report to develop International Case Studies on the MMPI-A: An Objective Approach. This casebook illustrates the use of the Minnesota Report with adolescents in 15 countries outside the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 15, 2016
The United States had over 33,000 combat deaths in Korea. Over 8,000 more were missing in action. Our allies also had significant loses including almost 50,000 for the Republic of Korea. North Korea may have lost 12% to 15% of its population and estimates of over one and one-half a million Chinese and North Koreans may have died. This was in a conflict that could not be called a “war.”
James Butcher enlisted in the U.S. Army as a seventeen year-old. Before he was eighteen, he saw significant combat in the Korean peninsula. In less than two years he rose from private to a high non-commissioned officer rank (SFC) and had responsibility for a large group of privates and corporals. Having experienced World War II as a young civilian, he was shocked at the difference in the way returning veterans of Korea were treated. When his son, at about age 17 asked him about Korea, Butcher found he couldn’t talk about it. It took another 25 years for him to reintegrate that experience into his life.
This book is the ultimate effort in that reintegration.
Butcher’s memoir is a personal account of his “on the ground” experiences without more than an occasional bit of larger historical information or any attempt to put this into a wider context. We see this conflict through the eyes of an infantryman of 17, 18 or 19 years old. We hear his interactions with his buddies, his superiors and “the enemy.” His memory for details is amazing and it is accompanied by personal photographs that illustrate some of his key experiences.
Butcher doesn’t go out of his way to describe the difficult challenges of the ground conflict in a highly convoluted terrain with weather that was rarely comfortable. He doesn’t emphasize the brutality of the war; he doesn’t need to. The situations he describes speak for themselves.
At the end, Butcher makes several points. They include that the expectations that he brought from WW II did not match up well with Korea (It could only be called a “police action” with limited goals, not an all-out effort against evil.) When it was over, our troops were not welcomed home; our country had grown tired of war efforts and wished to hear no more about it.
This is an important book both for its ability to convey the growth of a young man through a very challenging early life and for its success in addressing the conflict that has been reduced to a few lines in most history books. Korea was a watershed experience in many ways, but its lasting significance will be as the first of a series of “limited wars” in which the United States chose to engage during the Twentieth Century. If all its lessons had been understood, we may have done differently with Vietnam, Grenada, Iraq, etc. (And you might want to check out related material such as Charlie Wilson’s War on the USA’s investment in proxy wars.)
War aside, Butcher’s decision to write about his life experiences creates a very moving memoir. Here is a kid who “grew up” without adult supervision, spent several years learning and perfecting the craft of killing people, was significantly damaged by that experience, yet became a college student, graduate student, university professor, husband, father and recognized expert in his field. His perspective and eloquence are rare making for a very enlightening read.
James Butcher enlisted in the U.S. Army as a seventeen year-old. Before he was eighteen, he saw significant combat in the Korean peninsula. In less than two years he rose from private to a high non-commissioned officer rank (SFC) and had responsibility for a large group of privates and corporals. Having experienced World War II as a young civilian, he was shocked at the difference in the way returning veterans of Korea were treated. When his son, at about age 17 asked him about Korea, Butcher found he couldn’t talk about it. It took another 25 years for him to reintegrate that experience into his life.
This book is the ultimate effort in that reintegration.
Butcher’s memoir is a personal account of his “on the ground” experiences without more than an occasional bit of larger historical information or any attempt to put this into a wider context. We see this conflict through the eyes of an infantryman of 17, 18 or 19 years old. We hear his interactions with his buddies, his superiors and “the enemy.” His memory for details is amazing and it is accompanied by personal photographs that illustrate some of his key experiences.
Butcher doesn’t go out of his way to describe the difficult challenges of the ground conflict in a highly convoluted terrain with weather that was rarely comfortable. He doesn’t emphasize the brutality of the war; he doesn’t need to. The situations he describes speak for themselves.
At the end, Butcher makes several points. They include that the expectations that he brought from WW II did not match up well with Korea (It could only be called a “police action” with limited goals, not an all-out effort against evil.) When it was over, our troops were not welcomed home; our country had grown tired of war efforts and wished to hear no more about it.
This is an important book both for its ability to convey the growth of a young man through a very challenging early life and for its success in addressing the conflict that has been reduced to a few lines in most history books. Korea was a watershed experience in many ways, but its lasting significance will be as the first of a series of “limited wars” in which the United States chose to engage during the Twentieth Century. If all its lessons had been understood, we may have done differently with Vietnam, Grenada, Iraq, etc. (And you might want to check out related material such as Charlie Wilson’s War on the USA’s investment in proxy wars.)
War aside, Butcher’s decision to write about his life experiences creates a very moving memoir. Here is a kid who “grew up” without adult supervision, spent several years learning and perfecting the craft of killing people, was significantly damaged by that experience, yet became a college student, graduate student, university professor, husband, father and recognized expert in his field. His perspective and eloquence are rare making for a very enlightening read.
April 29, 2016
Butcher is a well-known psychologist whom few know also served in the Army as an infantryman in Korea from 1952-1953. Using what he's learned in his distinguished psychology career he has provided an amazing account of his thought process regarding enlisting in the Army, his experiences in training, his desire to go to war as a 19-year-old, and the horrors of war. For those who haven't been to combat who want to know what it is like and for mental health providers who are assisting combat veterans and need to better understand, this book is like a friend who walks you through all of it. It is an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the impact of war and combat in general as well as a historical account of the Korean War.
October 24, 2013
Excellent account of fighting in the KOrean War by a person who participated as an infantry soldier.
November 10, 2014
lest we forget
November 21, 2025
I discovered this book through Sophia Blake, and it turned out to be one of the most compelling historical accounts I have read. James Butcher brings readers directly into the harsh realities faced by Fox Company, describing the tension, fear, courage, and relentless challenges of the Korean War. His writing is sincere and detailed, making the battles of Jane Russell Hill and Pork Chop Hill feel immediate and real. This book not only educates but also honors the men who served during a conflict that too often fades from public memory. Highly recommended for anyone who wants an honest portrayal of war and the importance of remembering it.
November 21, 2025
I discovered this book through book clubs, and it turned out to be one of the most compelling historical accounts I have read. James Butcher brings readers directly into the harsh realities faced by Fox Company, describing the tension, fear, courage, and relentless challenges of the Korean War. His writing is sincere and detailed, making the battles of Jane Russell Hill and Pork Chop Hill feel immediate and real. This book not only educates but also honors the men who served during a conflict that too often fades from public memory. Highly recommended for anyone who wants an honest portrayal of war and the importance of remembering it.
September 13, 2019
Down to earth review of the author's hard time as an army soldier during the latter part of the Korean War. I felt he was honest, evrn with unflattering facts about American soldiers, and tried to relate things as they were.
For those who may be offended, Butcher chose to use the racist terms applied to the Chinese soldiers during that time.
Book sheds interesting light on the war. He doesn't try to tell the whole picture experience; only his own.
There are some minor typos and editing mistakes i found surprising that his editor missed. Overall, was glad i read the book.
For those who may be offended, Butcher chose to use the racist terms applied to the Chinese soldiers during that time.
Book sheds interesting light on the war. He doesn't try to tell the whole picture experience; only his own.
There are some minor typos and editing mistakes i found surprising that his editor missed. Overall, was glad i read the book.
November 21, 2025
I came across Korea: Traces Of A Forgotten War from Sophia Blake, and I am grateful that I did. James Butcher offers a powerful and deeply human account of his time as an infantryman during the final year of the Korean War. His descriptions of life on the front are vivid, honest, and unforgettable. The chapters covering Jane Russell Hill and Pork Chop Hill helped me understand the enormous sacrifices made by soldiers whose stories are rarely told. This book stands as a reminder of why this war should never be forgotten. A moving and meaningful read.
November 21, 2025
I came across Korea: Traces Of A Forgotten War through book clubs, and I am grateful that I did. James Butcher offers a powerful and deeply human account of his time as an infantryman during the final year of the Korean War. His descriptions of life on the front are vivid, honest, and unforgettable. The chapters covering Jane Russell Hill and Pork Chop Hill helped me understand the enormous sacrifices made by soldiers whose stories are rarely told. This book stands as a reminder of why this war should never be forgotten. A moving and meaningful read.
March 18, 2017
Surprisingly good book.
I got this book at a cheap kindle price to learn more about the Korean war (of which I knew little). While the first 20% or so of the book focused on the authors life as a child (being orphaned, how the siblings struggled) was interesting, it wasn't what I was looking for. Once the story got to joining the army and the experiences in Korea, I found it very engaging. This is not a "history" book per se (it is a memoir) but the author does add meaningful historical context as needed. Aside from the war experiences, I really liked the chapter on his leave in Japan and the feelings he had looking back on, lets call it, purchasing the services of a Japanese woman for a week. In general, the author did a good job describing the experiences of a 19/20 year old along with the viewpoint of someone looking back at those times later in life.
I got this book at a cheap kindle price to learn more about the Korean war (of which I knew little). While the first 20% or so of the book focused on the authors life as a child (being orphaned, how the siblings struggled) was interesting, it wasn't what I was looking for. Once the story got to joining the army and the experiences in Korea, I found it very engaging. This is not a "history" book per se (it is a memoir) but the author does add meaningful historical context as needed. Aside from the war experiences, I really liked the chapter on his leave in Japan and the feelings he had looking back on, lets call it, purchasing the services of a Japanese woman for a week. In general, the author did a good job describing the experiences of a 19/20 year old along with the viewpoint of someone looking back at those times later in life.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews