There’s nothing wrong with writing a book that chronicles some of the most defining moments of one’s life or generation. American military veterans often write gripping books from their own perspectives. What’s really interesting about “Fallen Comrade: A Story of the Korean War” is that author Walter Howell chronicles the intertwined lives of three childhood friends from Clinton, Mississippi – Waller King, Joe Albritton, and Homer Ainsworth – who all enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and serve together in Korea. And at some point, uses their own words to do so.
Growing up, they attended the same school and church, and lived in the same neighborhood in small-town America. Eventually, they join the Marine Corps Reserve (the same unit, of course) in Jackson, Mississippi. The trio soon find themselves in the early, chaotic months of the Korean War.

Fallen Comrade and the Realities of War
The Korean War saw some of the most brutal combat ever experienced between two opposing forces, and much of it was fought in conditions that are, frankly, astonishing. The bloody stalemate the war would devolve into is by no means representative of its earliest days, especially for Marines like Ainsworth, King, and Albritton, who all endured terrible fighting in their own way. Their real letters and journal excerpts punctuate their journey from adolescence to adulthood.

They don’t all make it home. But for those who do get home, life is just as difficult, just in a different way. The military does not teach its troops to adjust to life after war, and that is clearly on display in “Fallen Comrade.”
Remembering, Reflecting, and Returning Home
Partially a biography and partially a chronicle of military history, Howell combines personal stories with broader military history, covering the major events of the Korean War while grounding the tale in letters, journals, and interviews. The result is both an intimate portrait of friendship and sacrifice and a readable overview of U.S. Marine Corps operations during that era.
Thoughtfully chronicled, the book reflects on youth cut short, the enduring impact of loss on a community in Mississippi, and one man’s life lived in honor of friends who didn’t make it home. It’s a poignant celebration of friendship, service, and the complex aftermath of conflict.

“Fallen Comrade: A Story of the Korean War” is currently available in hardcover for $5.23 on Amazon or as a Kindle ebook for $4.97. Or you can support the University of Mississippi Press by purchasing it on their website.
Read About Other Book Reviews
If you enjoyed reading the review of ‘Fallen Comrade (A Story of the Korean War)’ by Walter Howell, we invite you to read about other military book reviews on our blog. You will also find profiles in courage, veterans’ service reflections, famous military units and more on the TogetherWeServed.com blog. If you are a veteran, find your military buddies, view historic boot camp photos, build a printable military service plaque, and more on TogetherWeServed.com today.
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