Strangeness in Wars: MASH and A WWII Soldier’s Corpse

The television show MASH often includes quirky and historical stories reflecting the experiences of soldiers during wartime. One such episode, S1 E12, showcases a fictional scenario where a character named Radar mails a Jeep home in pieces. However, this episode brings to light a less comical and more disturbing reality of how soldiers sent items home during WWII.

Historical Context

During various conflicts, especially World War II and the Vietnam War, soldiers sent home odd and unexpected items. This practice was driven by the desire to share their experiences or lighten their load. Soldiers would send home personal effects, souvenirs, and, in some cases, even weapons, helmets, or parts of downed aircraft.

One of the more bizarre stories involves soldiers in World War II who mailed home live animals. Servicemen sent turtles, birds, and even monkeys to share a unique experience or surprise family members. These packages sometimes caused eyebrows to raise at postal services but were often allowed as long as the animals were properly packed.

Another peculiar instance is the story of soldiers who sent home their military uniforms or gear. These items were used as a way to lighten their load or as keepsakes. Soldiers found creative ways to ship items, using makeshift packaging or even sending them through unofficial channels to avoid detection.

True Stories: A World War II Veteran’s Secret and a Tragic Discovery

A few decades ago, in Sydney, a World War II veteran smuggled a heavy, likely armor-piercing shell home to his garage. This was no simple feat—it was not a light item to transport or store, raising questions about how he managed to get it off a ship and transport it home without detection. This unusual item only came to light after the veteran’s death, when it was discovered in a garage near where other people slept.

The subsequent story is even more unsettling. The Nice Lady, a longtime friend and confidante, had a question for "Doctor Bob," her uncle's best friend and hunting companion. Uncle Chas' friend, known as Doc, had an authoritative and charismatic personality, admired by both men and women. He had served in the Navy during World War II, seeing bloody combat in the Pacific with the Marines. He spoke of the war rarely, but when he did, his words were filled with emotion and pain.

After the war, Doc became a top surgeon and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve. However, life took a turn when his health began to fail. A traumatic event led to his hasty relocation to Florida, where family could look after him. The Nice Lady offered to help with the sale of his home, disposing of his belongings for him. As she sorted through his attic, she made a shocking discovery: human bones.

The Nice Lady confronted Doc on the phone about the bones. Initially, he instructed her to throw them away. However, as the conversation continued, he revealed a dark secret from his past. During medical school, he couldn't afford a cadaver, so he managed to acquire and disassemble the body of a fallen Japanese soldier. He sent the bones home to his mother, carefully wrapping and sealing them with strict instructions not to open them. He never reassembled the skeleton and had likely forgotten about it until the Nice Lady’s discovery.

The Nice Lady was faced with a moral dilemma and decided to find a more appropriate way to handle the bones. She learned of organizations in Japan dedicated to repatriating soldiers' family heirlooms, taken as souvenirs during combat. She wrote letters and, a year after Doc's death, delivered the bones to a Japanese Consul in the U.S., ensuring they would be buried on Japanese soil.

Conclusion

These stories highlight the resourcefulness and humor of servicemen during challenging times, as well as the darker aspects of wartime experiences. While the practice of soldiers mailing unusual items home is rooted in reality, it also reflects the complex and often traumatic realities soldiers faced. The discovery of the bones serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of war and the ethics involved in dealing with such sensitive material.

References:

1. MASH: The Complete First Season Historical context in episode S1 E12.
2. News articles and personal accounts of WWII soldiers smuggling home items and human remains.