My recent article in the July issue of The American Legion Magazine (http://www.legiontown.org/korean-war-story/8819/my-good-friend-bob) had a very pleasant and surprising result. I am still a member of Post 8 in Lexington, Ky., even though I recently became a Florida resident. Last Saturday (7/23) I received a phone call from the Post 8 adjutant, Mike Dinger. He had received a call from a person with the last name Rauen who wanted to get in touch with me, and had given him a phone number for me to call.

On Sunday I called the number given me to see what this was all about. I knew my deceased friend Bob's family and knew that his parents, sister and younger brother were all deceased. Much to my surprise, the person who wanted to get in touch with me was Bob's older brother, who is 92 years old. Needless to say we had many things to talk about. During our conversation I learned that my friend Bob had been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star medal with "V" device for his actions prior to his being killed. His brother sent me a copy of the citation which states that my buddy was killed while trying to aid other wounded soldiers, while under heavy mortar and artillery fire. I was previously unaware of these facts, but am not at all surprised, because that was the kind of guy Bob was.

Needless to say I was completely surprised to hear from Bob's older brother, but comforted to learn that my buddy died a hero and that his heroism had been recognized.