Home Life Softens Hate Of Former Prisoners Toward "Progressives"

Home Life Softens Hate Of Former Prisoners Toward "Progressives"
October 2, 1953
October 1953
Middletown, Ohio
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[LAST OF A SERIES] In the summer of 1952 the Chinese Communists eased their efforts to force POWs into Red indoctrination classes. Only men who wanted to hear the lectures, it was announced, need attend. The "progressives," American soldiers who went, and the "reactionaries," those who stayed were clearly separated. Middletown's three repatriated prisoners - Pfc. Roland A. Hamilton, Pfc. William F. Roosa and Sgt Charles Riddell Jr. - this week discussed with some candor and much uncertainty the problems caused by the break in ranks. In prison camp, the "progressives" received special favors but not too many. At times, Middletown's POWs reported, the "pros" were given some extra food or cigarettes. The big gripe, however, against these men was their informing on fellow prisoners. "We would have to shut up when one of those guys came into the hut," Hamilton said. Hamilton, Roosa and Riddell grew angry as they talked of the men who gave in — "just plain rats" in Hamilton's words. Yet it seemed to be an anger held back by the thought that blind revenge does not move in the homes where the three soldiers were reared...
[LAST OF A SERIES] In the summer of 1952 the Chinese Communists eased their efforts to force POWs into Red indoctrination classes. Only men who wanted to hear the lectures, it was announced, need attend. The "progressives," American soldiers who went, and the "reactionaries," those who stayed were clearly separated. Middletown's three repatriated prisoners - Pfc. Roland A. Hamilton, Pfc. William F. Roosa and Sgt Charles Riddell Jr. - this week discussed with some candor and much uncertainty the problems caused by the break in ranks. In prison camp, the "progressives" received special favors but not too many. At times, Middletown's POWs reported, the "pros" were given some extra food or cigarettes. The big gripe, however, against these men was their informing on fellow prisoners. "We would have to shut up when one of those guys came into the hut," Hamilton said. Hamilton, Roosa and Riddell grew angry as they talked of the men who gave in — "just plain rats" in Hamilton's words. Yet it seemed to be an anger held back by the thought that blind revenge does not move in the homes where the three soldiers were reared...
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